FRANKIE'S PLAYGROUND was formulated by erstwhile frontman for Balingen, Germany based Hard Rock act DEADLOCK, The 1999 album was recorded and mixed at Area 51 Recording Studios in Hannover during the Spring of 1998. Featuring as producer, and also donating guitar, would be former VICTORY man Tommy Newton. Riester also drafted a high profile session cast comprising the highly regarded CONCEPTION and ARK guitarist Tøre Ostby on guitars, ex-HEADCRASH bass player Otto Van Alphen on bass and former VICTORY drummer, Matthias Liebetruth, on the drums.

'Frankie's Playground' was released in May 1999 on Riester International Records in South Africa, with 'Evening Sunshine' being the first single release.