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The Awesome: An Interview With Frank Turner

25 January, 2010 Brian Mc 2 Comments

I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am about this post. I had the pleasure today to interview Frank Turner through email and could not be happier. If anyone knows me, Frank Turner is a big deal to me. I have to admit my appreciation for me grew to unmeasurable amounts after I heard his latest release Poetry Of The Deed.

I confess, the name Frank Turner was not fresh in my mind beforehand when I heard that album. I continually smack myself in the head still as I could not put two and two together when listening to it at the time and realizing he was the guy in the UK post-hardcore, now defunct, act Million Dead. I knew of Frank Turner but prior to his last release was not aware of his solo material.

Some music fan I am right? Regardless I am a huge fan of Frank Turner so it only made sense for me to try and set up an interview with him. It was easier for us both just to do it over the email and I must say no one has ever replied faster than him.

Such a proud moment for me here. Let me take a moment and soak in all that is awesome for what I am about to share…

Ok I am better.

Enjoy!

BHP – Before I even begin, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for me. I know you have been a busy man for quite some time touring and all. How long have you actually been on tour now?

FT – Actually I just took 3 weeks off, which is the longest time I’ve gone without playing a show for about 6 years now. I did my first tour when I was 16, and have been pretty much constantly on the road since 2004. It’s great. Answering questions is no bother.

Were you been able to take any breaks prior?

I get little breaks here and there, and like I say I’ve just had quite a bit of time off (by my standards). I get very claustrophobic if I stay in the same place for more than a few days, I think I’ve rewired my brain now, haha. So when I’m not touring or in the studio, I generally find excuses to get on a train or a plane and go visit some friends or something.

I along with many of your other fans have been able to keep tabs on you thanks to your Facebook/Twitter posts. How important is it to be more personal to the fans?

What I like about stuff like Facebook and Twitter is that it pulls aside the curtain on rock’n’roll. I was never that taken with the whole business of mythologizing what it means to be a musician. I like to let people know what the realities of life on the road are like, and to point out that I’m no different from anyone who listens to my music. That’s the strength of the whole web 2.0 thing.

How stressful does it get traveling overseas from the US to the UK and beyond on any given date?

I don’t find it particularly stressful at all – in fact I find it quite liberating, and I find being in the same place quite stressful. I mean, transatlantic flights are always going to be a drag, but it’s a small price to pay. Whenever I get to go to new places I haven’t been to before solely on the basis that I play guitar, I think it’s absolutely wonderful, if a little insane. I pinch myself occasionally.

Seems like 2009 was your year to get noticed thanks to the release of Poetry Of The Deed. How does it feel to have a growing fan base?

It feels great. Without wanting to sound defensive, I’ve worked really hard in the last few years at what I do, to make the best albums and to play as many shows as I can. It’s a great feeling to see hard work pay off, and to see some of the dreams I’ve had since I was a kid start to come true. It’s as awesome as you’d imagine it to be. I’m very privileged to be in these shoes right now.

What prompted you to go into a more so acoustic solo career once Million Dead disbanded or was that something in the works prior to the band’s ending?

I think that when that band ended, in a lot of stress and recrimination and so on, I was just done with hardcore as a sound. I felt like I’d poured everything into that band, and when it didn’t work, I needed to do something different. I’d started listening to folk, country and so on quite extensively in the last few years of the band’s existence, and when it ended, well, it seemed like a good way to go. It also meant I could stay on tour without having to put a band together, without having to rely on other people, something I was very wary to do at the time.

So have you spoken to any of the members? Or were the differences that led to the band’s departure more personal and evident of a reunion never to happen?

We’re all on at least reasonable terms now. The drummer and I are firm friends. It’s all water under the bridge now – that was a very intense band to be in, but now that we’re all clear and the dust has settled, it doesn’t matter as much. There won’t be a reunion though, I’ll say that for sure. I’m just not interested in looking back like that.

Who are your musical influences these days?

These days I tend to bore into a handful of bands at a time, get really obsessed with them, and they influence my thinking about music.

Springsteen has been an overshadowing presence in my music for the last few years, but more recently I’m super-into Loudon Wainwright III. He’s fucking amazing.

What bands have you been listening to as of late?

Recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Neil Young again because I’m reading a book about him. Beyond that, I’ve finally got into the latest Weakerthans album (which I’m fast starting to think is their best). Also Crazy Arm, who are coming on tour with me in Europe in March and April, and Ben Marwood, a friend of mine who puts me to shame with his excellence in songwriting.

I heard that Flogging Molly recently asked you to join them on tour. What was your initial reaction when they asked you?

I thought it was great, very flattering. And then I found out how popular they are in the States, and I was blown away. The shows we’re doing are biiiig.

Anyone else you would like to mention that you are touring with in 2010?

I’m happy that I’m going to be returning a favour in March – Chuck Ragan has taken me out in the USA and been a great friend and inspiration to me in recent years, and now he’s coming out on my next UK tour, which is a big one – 3000 people a show or so – so it feels good to be paying that one back. I’m also excited about Revival Australia – I’ve never been there before, and I get to play more shows with Tim Barry, someone I can’t get enough of right now.

Are you still going to play house shows here and there now that you are making it into the spotlight? I have a place in Cleveland you can play if you ever want to…

Sure, here and there. If you can put up 6 people (me, band and crew) after the Flogging Molly show in Cleveland, I’ll play a set there as well. Deal?

Sweet! So you still do house shows?

I still do a fair few of them – I’m playing a house show in Toronto tonight actually. It’s something that’s easy to put together, so it’s always an option.

Obviously there is more to Frank Turner than just yourself. Can you tell me about the backing band that helps you out on the album and tours?

My band [members] are amazing, and I’m really excited about them coming to the USA for the first time next month with Flogging Molly. It took me a while to get the line-up right, I wanted the best, and also a set of people who would gel together well as musicians. We finally got the chemistry right at the end of 2008, and we haven’t looked back. They’re all amazing musicians, much better than me, and they’re great at helping me get ideas out of my head. Plus they’re cool guys.

Any reason there is no actual band name like “The Frank Turner Band” or “Frank Turner and the…whatevers”?

You know, we’ve spent a long time talking about this, I really want a name for them – I don’t want them to be faceless sessionistas or whatever, they’re a band, you know? But we’ve struggled to find something everyone agrees on. The Contraband has been doing the rounds recently, and the 161 Band (a reference to where we used to rehearse and where I recorded my first album) but we’re still tussling over it. Some day.

The video for “The Road” to me was an amazing concept. 24 shows in 24 hours? How difficult was that to shoot?

Logistically it wasn’t so bad, we had a schedule and we stuck to it.

Physically it was a little more challenging. We did 8pm-8pm, and by time we hit around midday, everyone was fucking drained and unhappy, haha. It was pretty miserable for a few hours there. But we burned on through, and we made it to the end. It was a good experience.

Any plans for another music video off your latest release?

We did a tour video for the song “Poetry Of The Deed”, which you can find on YouTube. Then I think I’m making a video for the song “Isabel” when I’m in Los Angeles next week.

Last year you appeared in an alternative 90’s compilation and covered UK’s Kerbdog. Why Kerbdog? “Sally” is a great choice as a cover for a band that never really made it in the states.

I love Kerbdog, they were such an awesome band. I was actually asked to record a song for a Kerbdog tribute album, which I did, and then we decided to use it for the 90s thing as well. Great song, and apparently Cormac thought I did a good job too, which is cool.

You also covered a Bruce Springsteen song at one time. Have you heard any feedback from The Boss himself about your version of “Thunder Road”?

Not directly, though I know Brian Fallon [of the Gaslight Anthem] put a copy of the 7 inch into the Boss’s hands, so he has to be aware of its existence, haha. I’d be very excited to meet Springsteen, he’s a real hero for me.

Speaking of The Boss you are headlining a show at Asbury, NJ on Feb. 24th. Can we expect to hear about any special guests?

I wish, haha. We shall see.

How does it feel to be a part of the Epitaph family?

Great. It’s a label that I grew up with and that has an amazing roster now, so it’s a cool association. And now I’d count a lot of the people I work with as close friends. They’re very effective at promotion and so on.
So yeah, I’m very happy about it, all in all.

Can you tell me about a certain tattoo you got in Texas while at SXSW?

Haha, uhm, well… I’d been there for a few days and had some great shows, basically sealed the deal with Epitaph, had a lot of old friends around, that kind of thing, so I was in a good mood. I had one day where I had no shows to play so I got wicked drunk with the guys from Fake Problems, we went to see Van Pelt do a one-off reunion show, which was pretty emotional for me. Anyways, after about 14 hours on the booze I ended up in a tattoo parlour with Casey Lee, and we both got Texas tattoos. Seemed like a good idea at the time.. I was a little dismayed at first but I quite like it now. It has a good story with it.

Any regrets in life?

I do my best not to. I’m still sad that Million Dead never quite achieved what I thought we were capable of. Beyond that, not really.

What’s next for Frank Turner?

I’m on tour most of this year, it looks like, all over the world, which is great. I have a rough ambition to get another album recorded before the end of the year, so we can get it out in early 2011. We’ll see. The songs are coming together, it’s more a question of finding the time to record it properly. I also want to do an album of traditional English songs sometime. Keep myself busy.

Why should someone check out Frank Turner?

That’s not for me to say, really. Why not?

Catch Frank Turner playing with Flogging Molly on the Green 17 Tour on March 5th, 2010 at the House Of Blues on Euclid Ave. Rumor has it the show is sold out but if you look hard enough online you might be able to find a ticket for a decent price. I will be there.

CLICK HERE to check out Frank Turner’s blog.

I also should mention that Frank Turner is serious about the house show and I am going to be working my magic trying to find a suitable place for him and his crew to play a set as well as crash for the night. If any of you readers in the Cleveland area know of an appropriate spot where Frank Turner can play a house show please email me at broken@brokenheadphones.com. I have a few places in mind but am open to suggestions. Keep in mind the set he plans on playing would be after the Flogging Molly show. If this falls into place I will also be looking into filming it for the site.

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

If you do not own Poetry Of The Deed yet you really need to have it in your collection. CLICK HERE to order it (or the album cover below) and if you are wondering why you should own it CLICK HERE to read the review I did of it last year.

Then again you can just watch the following too…

Stay tuned for possible house party featuring Frank Turner!

Oh and if you have never heard of Kerbdog and were wondering what they were all about…

Random

The Daredevil Christopher Wright

24 January, 2010 Brian Mc Leave a comment

Need something to do on February 6th? Are you a fan of indie rock? Folk music?

I think I can help you out.

Wisconsin’s The Daredevil Christoper Wright are making a stop at the Beachland Tavern on Feb. 6th. If you like your indie rock poppy and especially folky you should join them. If you can’t make it at least check out their MySpace page.

The Daredevil Christopher Wright CD Release Show Pt. 4 from Sleepy Sheep Productions on Vimeo.

00's, Artist, Music, The Dumb, WTF

Andrew WK Is A Real Person.

10 January, 2010 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Ok, so are you scratching your head? I was too when I first saw this.

Apparently people out there, very bored people I would imagine, came up with the idea that Andrew WK is involved in a brainwashing scheme of sorts. Basically some people out there find it hard to believe that someone can make it big with passion alone. These people have come to the conclusion that Andrew WK is part of a conspiracy or a victim of a huge spider’s web of corporate entertainment plots.

So wait, Andrew WK is a super spy? Now I got myself all confused.

Maybe it would be best to have Andrew WK himself talk about what nonsense is going on. The following came direct from his website:

Since 2001, I have been accused of being part of a conspiracy in which I knowingly entered into a contract with creative directors called Steev Mike, who proceeded to invent a new identity for me to perform under. I’m here to say this is simply not true and a gross exaggeration of easily explainable and common-place music industry practices. Of course I work with people who choose not to include their whole names or real names in the credits, or who aren’t on stage with me during my shows – but taking advice and guidance from other people doesn’t mean I’m a victim of mind-control. That’s like science fiction! Andrew W.K. is about partying and doing what you want! We want fun, and that really is what I am about.

These lies have unfortunately been with me since my career started – critics were saying I had to be a fake puppet for the record industry because I appeared over night. These simple untrue allegations have grown over the years to the point now where I have to defend myself. I have done many interviews and talks where I have explained the nature of how I got into music, and I admitted that I did work with people. But people have still taken what I said and tried to call me a liar and a fake. What alarms me most about these accusations is that they remind me of witch trials: The kind of people who accuse me of being a talking head for some secret conspiracy to corrupt people’s morals are the same people who claim MTV and Cartoon Network are owned by secret rulers of the world out to poison kid’s brains, or that pop stars like Beyonce or Lady Gaga are part of some occult society, or that companies like McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, or Hollywood are secretly promoting hidden plans. Or that the President of the USA is just a figure head and reading a script given to him by a secret world power. Come on!

We’re working in a business where there are different ends and different means. No one controlled Frank Sinatra or told him how to sing. No secret group of managers has been telling someone like Jay-Z what to do or how to look. And no one tells me what to do, except me and the people who believe in me. I am a real person who thinks for himself and am not the victim of anyone or group of people trying to influence my career or life. I take responsibility for everything in my life, including who I work for and what happens to me because of it. Just because a person has mentors or advisers doesn’t mean they don’t have their own brain and soul. And just because I work with other people who advise me doesn’t mean that I am a puppet for an evil cult or a have some sort of master plan. I make party music – plain and simple. In fact, it is me who is the innocent victim of a conspiracy of critics and haters who don’t believe in the power of music and pure true fun. It is us artists who are the victims. It’s crazy that still today, brand new artists like Lady Gaga have already been dealing with the same sort of paranoid allegations that I’ve has been dealing with since 2001. It just doesn’t stop! We are not puppets, we are human beings.

Musicians are not acting, we are real people. We are not part of a conspiracy! It’s really intense when people are telling you who you are, so I’m going to tell them who THEY are! On behalf of all musicians, the entertainment industry, and everyone else who’s ever been falsely accused, YOU ARE NOT HURTING US AND YOU ARE NOT STOPPING THIS. The party will continue! We will endure! It has become too common for musical artists and performers to be labeled as part of some global scam to control the world, or that we’re puppets for a larger agenda designed to hurt people. That’s why I’m speaking out and loudly declaring: I am not evil and neither are any of my other fellow members of showbusiness. We are here to bring fun and light into the world, not doubt and darkness. I have been accused of having people design my image, tell me what to say in interviews, design my clothes, the way I look and talk, and of course my music. It’s true I do work with people, but not to accomplish anything bad, just the basics that any person does in this business and with this opportunity to live out my dreams.

I have always admitted that I worked with people and I have confessed that time and time again, even if the critics twisted what I said. I did this hoping it would quiet people up and put an end to all the speculation and exaggeration. I was never an actor and the partnerships I made with friends, family, and the companies I’ve worked with have all been to promote entertainment, excitement, and fun – to give people something fun to focus on and to occupy our thoughts, instead of a bunch of fear or negativity.

I will always keep my focus where it matters most:

1) On being grateful for the incredible people who believe in the feeling I work to create

2) And on that magical feeling itself: BEING ALIVE!

Long live music and long live life. PARTY HARD!”

– Andrew W.K.

With all these questions and allegations going on Andrew WK has decided to set the record straight and hold a town hall meeting style conference at the Santos Party House in Manhattan, NY where he will answer all questions shot at him in regards to his career.

Is this a publicity stunt? That remains to be seen but I can tell you that Andrew WK is an artist and not a puppet as some of these bored folk out there think. For that I put this blog in “The Dumb” category.

Still though I wonder about this actual “Night Of Questions” seeing on how 02/23/2010 is the release date for Andrew WK’s lost third album Close Calls With Brick Walls as well as the rare and unreleased collection titled Mother Of Mankind.

This is hilarious…

Download This!, Indie, Music, Music Video, New Release, Rock

Download This! – UK’s Scanners

10 January, 2010 Brian Mc Leave a comment

London’s Scanners really can carry a gloomy mood in some of their tracks but without going overboard. The indie rock band has been around for a couple of years now and even if you have never heard of them are a pretty big deal – maybe not so much in the US but I have the feeling that will be changing in the upcoming months. If you were a fan of alt rock in the 90’s as well as have love for new wave this band might be up your alley.

Don’t be held off by this though if you were not a fan of either genre as the band also carries a great melodic talent heard throughout.

DOWNLOAD THIS! – Scanners – “Salvation”

Recently the video for “Salvation” was posted on YouTube it was produced by Steven Hague.

Download This!, Electronic, Hip Hop, Indie, Jam, Music, Music Video, New Release, Review, Rock

The Disco Biscuits – Planet Anthem – CD Review

7 January, 2010 Brian Mc 1 Comment

Philadelphia electronic jam band The Disco Biscuits (TDB) have always stood out to me as an original act since the day I was introduced to them. I have to admit I was not really into jam bands at the time they were brought to my attention, but thanks to a couple of jam band loving friends I was just intrigued with what I heard. They were indeed a jam band but their addition of electronics into the songs they played (also known as “trance-fusion” captured my attention fully and I was not the only one.

Over the years the band attracted a huge fan base and not only played all over he world from clubs to festivals but has also hosted their own festival known as Camp Bisco.

After my initial taste of TDB I remember immediately going out to pick up a couple of of their albums and even caught them live, twice at the Odeon (RIP) and once at Bonnaroo in 2006. For reasons unknown though I stopped listening to future releases by the band, that is, until now. Recently TDB released Planet Anthem an album that once again will be turning heads of many. This time around the band collaborated for the first time with other producers, songwriters, and musicians to push out a jam album full of indie rock, hip-hop, and electronical awesomeness. I can honestly say this as well – The Disco Biscuits have never sounded better.

Opening up the CD is “Loose Change” a song that was not speaking of extra quarters in your pockets. This song prepared me for the rest of the album with electronic heavy guitar playing and almost old school Daft Punk beats. “On Time” without a doubt will be making it’s way to the dance floors in 2010. This futuristic disco-ish song had me nodding my head in approval throughout. Comparable to something Dirty Vegas might have done this song had all of the elements to make the dance floor move and is best listened to at high volumes.

I felt as if I was listening to Radiohead when “Widgets” started playing especially when the shifting samples started. All I could think of was how similar it was to something that might be found on Kid A or Amnesiac yet the song held it’s own. I really enjoying the repetitious gentle singing that was implanted in my head throughout.

“You and I” was one of my favorite cuts on the album over the rest. Comparable to something The Faint might push out but with TDB flair, the song just overpowered the rest. Hearing this track confirmed that TDB tried something completely different and I must say, I approved.

The experimental jam of sorts “Konkrete” had a Middle Eastern feel techno feel to it. I just could not help but think of the Butthole Surfers during this track. Perhaps it was the monotone singing layered over the thumping bass and electronic noise. “Fish Out Of Water” shifted back to the older TDB I recalled with barely any electronics. WIth a catchy chorus and slick guitar playing the song was a fun jam to sit back and listen to.

The unsuspecting “Sweatbox” was like a Gorillaz meets Gnarls Barkley song on speed. This track was insanity at it’s finest with a mix of hip hop and rock and even some soul added in. I could not get enough of this track nor could I hardly believe TDB had something to do with it as it was completely out of their norm.

Following was “The City”, a more classic TDB singing style song mixed with indie rock. Think Kings Of Leon mixed with Phish…yes it is entirely possible. “Big Wrecking Ball” continued the indie rock feel sans the jam and made for a enjoyable song.

Being one of the first albums I have heard in 2010 I must say I was beyond impressed with what The Disco Biscuits dropped. They made a change in their sound on this album that took almost three years to complete and I personally think it is for the better. By doing so they have created a CD that will be attracting a lot of attention from new fans and old thanks to the array of genres mixed up in Planet Anthem.

DOWNLOAD THIS! – “On Time”