A few years back I caught melodic hardcore band Million Dead play an intimate show at The Camden Underworld to a young crowd gathered to see what all the fuss was about. The band were then making an impression on the British music press and receiving rave reviews for their live performances along the way. The show lived up to the hype as the band seemed to peak for this performance and this audience. I still remember that what impressed me most was the band’s passionate frontman Frank Turner who was already developing a knack for heartfelt socially conscious vocals.
Following this show I felt strongly enough about one of his lyrics to drop the band an email explaining my frustration. To be honest, I was just getting some stuff off my chest but sure enough Frank wrote back within hours going into detail whilst being very cordial. Though I didn’t agree with his interpretation I respected the fact he took time out of his schedule to write back to a fan. Though Million Dead would disband in 2005 this episode has kept him on my radar ever since.
I was not entirely surprised by his next foray into acoustic singer-songwriter territory. Just like my heroes Jonah Matranga with his Onelinedrawing recordings and The Ghost‘s Brian Moss with his Hanlei project, it seemed the “one man and his guitar” route was the preferred medium for former angry post-hardcore kids. When these guys were done shouting and kicking for some attention they discovered similar results could be achieved through strong words and a willingness to play anywhere and any time. The lyrics still sliced like a knife but like a top surgeon, his wit was sharp enough to get inside the listener while leaving minimal scar tissue.
2006 saw the release of his Campfire Punkrock EP rapidly followed up with the full-length ‘Sleep Is For The Week‘ a year later. Both Mix elements of folk, punk rock and country creating the perfect backdrop for his expanding ideas. On the back of these two releases, Frank took his songs on the road playing seemingly every bar, club house, or venue that would have him. This quick learning curve put the singer-songwriter in a good position when releasing his brilliant Love Ire and Song album in 2008. My personal culmination was an incredible show at Shepherds Bush Empire supporting The Gaslight Anthem. Instead of kicking the door down the singer discovered that with the right words, he would be given the key.
I was naturally delighted to find out that legendary punk indie label Epitaph were signing Frank to a worldwide deal and re-releasing Love Ire and Song in the US. Apparently, Epitaph head honcho Brett Gurewitz took quite a shine to Frank describing his music as a “revelation“. This being 2009 it is not surprising that the news was first broken on Twitter and MySpace with Frank stating:
“It’s official: though I’m happily staying with Xtra Mile in the UK, l signed with Epitaph for the world. Fuck yes!!”
The benefits from this deal are already showing as Frank will be heading on the road with veterans and legends The Offspring in July. Plans are underway to release his third studio album, ‘Poetry of the Deed‘, in September.
Do yourself a favour and get out to one of his live shows and buy his music. Frank Turner deserves your attention.
