For history lovers, Franz Ferdinand is a significant historical figure. After all, it was the Austro-Hungarian archduke’s assassination that started World War I in the early part of the twentieth century. But, for music lovers, Franz Ferdinand is a rock band straight out of Glasgow, Scotland, that takes its name from the fallen archduke.

Franz Ferdinand – Bob Hardy, Nick McCarthy, Paul Thompson, and Alex Kapranos – got their start in 2001, spending hours at an old warehouse they dubbed “The Chateau,” honing their sound and gelling as a group. When they weren’t practicing, Franz Ferdinand were hosting raves that featured both their music and their art. The Chateau was the place to be until the local cops tossed the band from the warehouse.

Franz Ferdinand got their big break in 2003, when they were offered a recording contract with Domino Records and quickly released the EP “Darts of Pleasure.” In the meantime, the band hit the road, opening for Hot Hot Heat and Interpol. Before long, however, they would be headlining their own shows, and Franz Ferdinand concert tickets would become a hot commodity.

Their hit single, “Take Me Out,” hit the airways in 2004, catapulting Franz Ferdinand to stardom in their home country. Their self-titled debut album followed, making the band a bona fide hit in both the United Kingdom and the United States. “Take Me Out” went on to win the MTV Video Music Award for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” while the album scored them a Mercury Award.

Franz Ferdinand’s sophomore effort, “You Could Have Had It So Much Better,” solidified the band’s success, if there was ever any doubt, as it shot straight to the top of the charts in the United Kingdom.

While there’s no scheduled date for Franz Ferdinand’s next release, the band’s next single, “Eleanor Put Your Boots On,” is slated to hit stores and airways this summer.