Artist Overview: Frank Turner

            For the first real article on this blog, I would feel like I was overlooking something if I failed to talk about my favorite musician, Frank Turner, an English ex punk rocker (former vocalist for the now defunct band Million Dead) turned folk/punk singer-songwriter. I first heard of Frank from my dad’s business partner, who knowing I was into groups like the Dropkick Murphys and Bruce Springsteen sent me the song “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous”, the opening track to the album “Love Ire & Song”. I loved it, the honest, genuine and well thought out lyrics and the instrumental build up made for an enjoyable first Frank Turner experience.

            However, at this time I did not go much further into Frank’s catalog, only listening to a few of the bigger songs off “Love Ire & Song”. He remained an artist I only listened to occasionally until my dad’s business partner, again, told us that Frank and his backing band, The Sleeping Souls, were going to be playing a show at Webster Hall in the city. Upon acquiring tickets, I began listening to his album “England Keep My Bones”, his newest album at the time. Delving deeper into his catalog, something I now regretted not doing earlier, I couldn’t find a song I didn’t find infectious, his British accent coming through in his songs, and his sound, sometimes acoustic and sometimes with a full band, is always on point, whether aggressive or lax it always seems to work.

            Following the opening acts Jenny Owen Youngs, a New Jersey singer-songwriter, and Larry and His Flask, a punk-bluegrass band that put on a lively show, constantly switching instruments, frantically dancing around the stage and coming into the crowd to perform for a bit, Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls stepped on stage. From the moment they began, everything that I loved about Frank’s studio work amplified itself tenfold. His live show was spectacular, playing for everyone, from hardcore fans to people newly introduced to his music, there being a nice mix of songs that I knew, and songs that at the time I did not know. Even though, at the time I did not know all the music, his sound and stage presence were so invigorating that it was impossible not to try to sing along, even without knowing the words. I left that concert with a newfound desire to delve deeper into his discography, and upon doing so I was presented with a new favorite musician.

            So what is it about Frank Turner that makes his music so memorable? Is it the charged, emotional voice he uses while singing? Is it the fantastic juxtaposition of punk and folk he utilizes authentically, blending the two genres so that he can be loud, and he can be quiet, but whatever direction he decides to take a track in it is going to sound good?

Well, yes. It is those things, but it is also his lyricism that keeps fans coming back for more. He tells stories, like the story of his friend Lex, who dying of cancer, decides to have one last awesome night to “lay waste to all the clubs.” Or, his lyrics on the aforementioned “I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous” about his friends, growing up, playing music, and planning a revolution from a cheap Southampton bistro, or as he has described it, a song about everything. Even with the song's array of topics the song flows together beautifully and genuinely. Countless other examples of great lyricism can be found in the source material.

I hope my description of Frank Turner will make you want to listen to some of his music, because this Black Flag and Bruce Springsteen inspired musician puts out great music and has a work ethic bordering on insane. His website boasts that he has played 1463 solo shows (Either alone or with his backing band) since 2004, in 35 countries, with the disclaimer “This is, to my knowledge, a complete list of all the solo shows I've ever played.” With great music and constant touring, I think this is a man that deserves your attention.

Throughout the article are few of my current favorite Frank Turner songs, but the list of my favorites is always changing. He has a large catalog filled with quality music, so I heavily encourage some exploration.