Frank Turner
Encyclopedia
Frank Turner is an English
folk
/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke
, Winchester
. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore
band Million Dead
, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities compilation albums and four EPs
. Turner began recording for his new album England Keep My Bones
, in January 2011. It was released on 6 June 2011 in the UK, and 7 June 2011 worldwide.
, where he studied alongside Prince William, and later went on to attend the London School of Economics
where he read History. His father Roger Turner, is the son of Sir Mark Turner, formerly chairman of high street retailer BHS, and had himself also attended Eton before becoming a City investment banker, while his mother, Jane, the daughter of a bishop, is a primary school headmistress.
), before disbanding in November 2001.
In 2001, Turner joined London post-hardcore
band Million Dead
at the invitation of former Kneejerk drummer Ben Dawson. In 2005, after four years and two albums, the band announced that they were parting ways, as “irreconcilable differences within the band mean that it would be impossible to continue.”
all-dayer at 93 Feet East
in London. After the band's split, Turner felt that “it seemed like the logical thing to do to try my hand at playing these songs more publicly and more concertedly than before”. Turner states that "when Million Dead
finished, I wanted to stay on tour, but I didn’t want the hassle of putting a band together."
After a split EP with rock band Reuben
, Turner's first solo EP, Campfire Punkrock
, was released in May 2006 on Xtra Mile Recordings
, with him being recorded and backed by Oxford band Dive Dive
who he had met while out on tour with Reuben. Band members Tarrant Anderson
, Ben Lloyd
and Nigel Powell
would become his backing band from this point on, with most of his subsequent UK headline tours being full band shows. After touring in support of American singer-songwriter Jonah Matranga
, the two released a split EP
in August 2006. In September, he was the last act to appear on Steve Lamacq
's “Lamacq Live” show on BBC Radio 1
. Turner's debut full-length studio album, Sleep Is for the Week
was released in January 2007, again recorded at Dive Dive
's studio, produced by their guitarist Ben Lloyd
and featuring drummer Nigel Powell.
After an extensive tour, including dates supporting yourcodenameis:milo
and Biffy Clyro
, and an appearance at SXSW, Turner released an EP, The Real Damage, in May 2007. After a further tour with Jonah Matranga
and Jacob Golden
, the “All About The Destination” DVD was released in October, before returning to the studio in Hampshire to record his second album. The album, Love Ire & Song again saw Ben Lloyd
from Dive Dive
in the producer's seat, and was released on 31 March 2008, followed by an extensive UK tour with Andy Yorke
and Chris T-T
. T-T also joined the live lineup on keyboards through summer 2008.
During summer 2008, Turner made several festival appearances, including sets at Y Not Festival
, Two Thousand Trees Festival
, the Cambridge Folk Festival
, Truck
, Glastonbury
, Jam By The Lake (in Durham) and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
.
In October/November, during his 2008 UK Tour for the Love, Ire and Song
album, he became ill with gastroenteritis
, and was forced to leave the stage in Nottingham halfway through his set. All remaining shows, which included Nottingham
, Liverpool
and Ireland
, were cancelled - the first time that Turner had cancelled any show in ten years. He went on to reschedule all cancelled shows in January 2009.
, a compilation of demos, b-sides and covers that are not featured on either of his studio albums. In January 2009, he released a combined package of The First Three Years and Love Ire & Song, and supported The Gaslight Anthem
on their tour of the UK and Europe, demoing several new songs and announcing his plans to record a new album in May. The album was produced by Alex Newport
, as previously suggested in interview by Turner. His band at the time still consisted of Ben Lloyd
, Tarrant Anderson
and Nigel Powell
from Dive Dive
, with keyboardist
Matt Nasir
having been added on the Love, Ire and Song
tour.
Prior to recording Poetry of the Deed
, Turner stated that:
Turner was announced as the support act on The Offspring
's summer tour, during which he documented his travels with a blog on British music website NME
. Regarding the support slot, Turner stated: "Smash was one of the first punk records I ever bought, and I’m blown away to even be considered for the shows. From a “career” point of view, it’s also great - playing to many thousands of people a night across the States is an opportunity not to be sniffed at."
On 28 April, Turner signed with Epitaph Records
for releases outside the UK.
Preceded by the single "The Road", Turner's third studio album, Poetry of the Deed, was released on 7 September 2009 and reached #36 in the UK album chart. The following month he embarked upon a UK tour with his band in support of the album (with singer/songwriter Beans On Toast and US band "Fake Problems" as support acts), culminating in a sell-out show at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 29 October 2009. A live DVD/CD, entitled Take to the Road, documenting two shows from the tour - Shepherds Bush Empire and the Union Chapel - was released in the UK in March 2010. In November 2009, Turner began a tour of the US which moved to Europe from 28 November and returned to the UK on 19 December. He completed the year with a New Year's Eve show at The Spiegeltent in Gloucester.
In early 2010, Turner played several more UK gigs, with Chuck Ragan
and Crazy Arm supporting. He also accompanied Flogging Molly
and The Architects
on the 2010 Green 17 Tour, and announced via his Twitter that he was working on new songs.
In June, he supported Green Day
on their stadium shows, and also featured as the cover star of Kerrang!
magazine for the first time, with an article inside documenting his solo career up to that point.
, playing his new song I Still Believe. The song was released first as a single and then appeared on his Rock and Roll EP
. I Still Believe appeared on Turner's most recent album, England Keep my Bones, released on 6 June 2011. Turner also contributed one song, a cover of Build Me Up Buttercup
, to Centrepoint
's 2010 Charity cover album 1969 Key to Change. On 25 January 2011 Frank was nominated for two Shockwaves NME Awards, for best Solo Artist and best Band Blog or Twitter.
Frank announced on his Twitter on 24 February 2011 that his fourth studio album would be called England Keep My Bones
and that it would be released in the UK on 6 June 2011 and worldwide on 7 June 2011. He also announced details of solo tours in Australia, Germany, UK, and the US & Canada. Frank started recording of this album on 10 January 2011 and finished recording on 20 January 2011, with mixing completed in February 2011.
In March 2011, Turner stated that:
On 21 March 2011, it was announced that Turner would be making the step up to the main stage at Reading and Leeds in August 2011. He spoke about the "perks" of playing Reading in a recent interview with 6 Towns Radio. He will also be playing Download, Blissfields and Cambridge Folk festivals, as well as many other festivals across Europe.
Several songs from England Keep My Bones
were debuted at Playfest (a new music festival in Norfolk) on 28 May.
Frank Turner leaked new song 'I Am Disappeared' on to YouTube on 29 March 2011 later making it available for free download through Xtra Mile. He also announced on the 29th that he would soon be releasing 'Peggy Sang The Blues' as the first single from the album.
In early 2011, Frank Turner was booked to play as a headliner at Blissfields
Festival. http://www.blissfields.co.uk/
During his May 2011 tour, Frank played a new song, tentatively titled "Rod Stewart." This song later became retitled as "Sailors Boots" and features as the B-side to "If Ever I Stray"
"England Keep My Bones" entered the UK chart at number 12 on its week of release, Franks highest charting album to date.
Frank has also announced plans to release a rarities compilation titled "The Second Three Years."
festival in Shoreditch, London.
Beans On Toast - "Money, Money, Money" from "Standing On a Chair" backing vocals 2009
The Dawn Chorus - Guest on backing vocals on various tracks on their 'The Carnival leaves town' album.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke
Meonstoke
Meonstoke is a village in Hampshire, England. Meonstoke lies in the Meon Valley where it cuts through the Middle Chalk of the South Downs. Old Winchester Hill is at the edge of the parish to the east....
, Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band Million Dead
Million Dead
Million Dead were a hardcore punk band from London, UK, active between 2001 and 2005.-History:The band was founded in 2000 by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka, after both came to London from Australia. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city...
, Turner embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. To date, Turner has released four solo albums, two rarities compilation albums and four EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. Turner began recording for his new album England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on June 6, 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on June 7, 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide...
, in January 2011. It was released on 6 June 2011 in the UK, and 7 June 2011 worldwide.
Early life
Turner was educated on a scholarship at Eton CollegeEton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, where he studied alongside Prince William, and later went on to attend the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
where he read History. His father Roger Turner, is the son of Sir Mark Turner, formerly chairman of high street retailer BHS, and had himself also attended Eton before becoming a City investment banker, while his mother, Jane, the daughter of a bishop, is a primary school headmistress.
Beginnings and Million Dead (Up to 2005)
Turner's musical career began at school, with the short-lived alternative band Kneejerk. The band self-released three albums and played several shows around the UK (including a support slot for BoysetsfireBoysetsfire
Boysetsfire is a post-hardcore band from Newark, Delaware and West Chester, Pennsylvania that formed in October 1994. Boysetsfire is composed of guitarists Chad Istvan and Josh Latshaw, drummer Matt Krupanski, and vocalist Nathan Gray. The band is currently auditioning for a new...
), before disbanding in November 2001.
In 2001, Turner joined London post-hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band Million Dead
Million Dead
Million Dead were a hardcore punk band from London, UK, active between 2001 and 2005.-History:The band was founded in 2000 by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka, after both came to London from Australia. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city...
at the invitation of former Kneejerk drummer Ben Dawson. In 2005, after four years and two albums, the band announced that they were parting ways, as “irreconcilable differences within the band mean that it would be impossible to continue.”
Sleep is for the Week and Love Ire & Song (2005-2008)
Turner's first solo shows took place prior to the break-up of Million Dead, with a set at the Smalltown AmericaSmalltown America
Smalltown America is a UK-based independent record label formed in 2001. Staff are currently based in London and Derry, and the label has a stated aim of "cultivating a productive staff of music lovers and a self-sustainable business model, through which artists can release the best records they...
all-dayer at 93 Feet East
93 Feet East
93 Feet East is a live music venue on Brick Lane in East London. It is a conversion of part of the Old Truman Brewery, and plays host to new and established acts. It has a courtyard with a BBQ.-External links:**...
in London. After the band's split, Turner felt that “it seemed like the logical thing to do to try my hand at playing these songs more publicly and more concertedly than before”. Turner states that "when Million Dead
Million Dead
Million Dead were a hardcore punk band from London, UK, active between 2001 and 2005.-History:The band was founded in 2000 by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka, after both came to London from Australia. They were joined by Ben Dawson, who had worked with Dean in a record shop in the city...
finished, I wanted to stay on tour, but I didn’t want the hassle of putting a band together."
After a split EP with rock band Reuben
Reuben (band)
Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music was a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004...
, Turner's first solo EP, Campfire Punkrock
Campfire Punkrock
Campfire Punkrock is the first EP by UK based songwriter Frank Turner. The EP was released via Xtra Mile Recordings on May 15, 2006. The vinyl release includes a live version of "The Ballad of Me and My Friends" and is pressed on a sulfur-yellow 10" vinyl. The EP was recorded at the Oxford home of...
, was released in May 2006 on Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings
Xtra Mile Recordings are an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 2003 by Charlie Caplowe and they release rock albums and singles...
, with him being recorded and backed by Oxford band Dive Dive
Dive Dive
Dive Dive are a British rock band, composed of Jamie Stuart , Ben Lloyd , Nigel Powell and Tarrant Anderson...
who he had met while out on tour with Reuben. Band members Tarrant Anderson
Tarrant Anderson
Tarrant Anderson is a musician based in Oxford, England. He currently plays bass guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He was previously a member of the British punk band Dustball...
, Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd is a musician and producer / recording engineer based in Oxford, England. He currently plays electric guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He also recorded and produced Frank Turner's first EP Campfire Punkrock and his first two albums Sleep Is for...
and Nigel Powell
Nigel Powell
Nigel Powell is a multi-instrumental musician from Abingdon, England. He currently works as Frank Turner's live and studio drummer and is a member of the Oxford based alternative rock band Dive Dive. He was formerly a member of Unbelievable Truth...
would become his backing band from this point on, with most of his subsequent UK headline tours being full band shows. After touring in support of American singer-songwriter Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands Far and New End Original and Gratitude...
, the two released a split EP
Jonah Matranga / Frank Turner Split
This is a split 12" between Jonah Matranga and Frank Turner. It was released via Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Welcome Home Records in the USA. Xtra Mile Recordings releases are all featured on black vinyl, whereas the first 100 copies from Welcome Home Records featured on a yellow and brown...
in August 2006. In September, he was the last act to appear on Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
's “Lamacq Live” show on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
. Turner's debut full-length studio album, Sleep Is for the Week
Sleep Is for the Week
- Singles/B-Sides :25 December 2006'Vital Signs' b/w Heartless Bastard Motherfucker , 7 May 2007The Real Damage EP...
was released in January 2007, again recorded at Dive Dive
Dive Dive
Dive Dive are a British rock band, composed of Jamie Stuart , Ben Lloyd , Nigel Powell and Tarrant Anderson...
's studio, produced by their guitarist Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd is a musician and producer / recording engineer based in Oxford, England. He currently plays electric guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He also recorded and produced Frank Turner's first EP Campfire Punkrock and his first two albums Sleep Is for...
and featuring drummer Nigel Powell.
After an extensive tour, including dates supporting yourcodenameis:milo
Yourcodenameis:milo
-External links:**...
and Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
, and an appearance at SXSW, Turner released an EP, The Real Damage, in May 2007. After a further tour with Jonah Matranga
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands Far and New End Original and Gratitude...
and Jacob Golden
Jacob Golden
Jacob Golden is an American songwriter/singer/guitarist. After the dissolution of his former band, Birthday, in 2000 he has worked as a solo artist and collaborated with different electronica musicians and producers....
, the “All About The Destination” DVD was released in October, before returning to the studio in Hampshire to record his second album. The album, Love Ire & Song again saw Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd is a musician and producer / recording engineer based in Oxford, England. He currently plays electric guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He also recorded and produced Frank Turner's first EP Campfire Punkrock and his first two albums Sleep Is for...
from Dive Dive
Dive Dive
Dive Dive are a British rock band, composed of Jamie Stuart , Ben Lloyd , Nigel Powell and Tarrant Anderson...
in the producer's seat, and was released on 31 March 2008, followed by an extensive UK tour with Andy Yorke
Andy Yorke
Andy Yorke is an English musician and former lead singer and guitarist for the band Unbelievable Truth. He is the younger brother of Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.-Early life:...
and Chris T-T
Chris T-T
Chris T-T is an English singer/songwriter based in Brighton. He has released eight studio albums and one live collection. He has also been a piano accompanist; a radio and club DJ; written for a range of publications and currently contributes a regular column on the arts to left-wing newspaper...
. T-T also joined the live lineup on keyboards through summer 2008.
During summer 2008, Turner made several festival appearances, including sets at Y Not Festival
Y Not Festival
The Y Not Festival was born in a small quarry in Derbyshire. A modest scaffold stage and hand-made DJ booth housed the acts, but a new venue was needed to allow expansion. The home of Y Not was moved to Pikehall, Derbyshire.- Y Not Festivals 2011 :...
, Two Thousand Trees Festival
Two Thousand Trees Festival
The 2000trees festival is an award-winning independent music festival dedicated to bringing together the best new and underground British music for one weekend every July, held at Upcote Farm, Withington, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. It offers a diverse selection of more than 80 acts on four...
, the Cambridge Folk Festival
Cambridge Folk Festival
The Cambridge Folk Festival is an annual music festival held on the site of Cherry Hinton Hall in Cherry Hinton, one of the villages subsumed by the city of Cambridge, England. The festival is renowned for its eclectic mix of music and a wide definition of what might be considered folk. It occurs...
, Truck
Truck Festival
Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family , who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon...
, Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, Jam By The Lake (in Durham) and the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
.
In October/November, during his 2008 UK Tour for the Love, Ire and Song
Love, Ire and Song
-Singles:*"Photosynthesis" - March 24, 2008, download only*"Reasons Not to Be an Idiot" - June 23, 2008*"Long Live the Queen" - October 20, 2008, charity single...
album, he became ill with gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is marked by severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract involving both the stomach and small intestine resulting in acute diarrhea and vomiting. It can be transferred by contact with contaminated food and water...
, and was forced to leave the stage in Nottingham halfway through his set. All remaining shows, which included Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, were cancelled - the first time that Turner had cancelled any show in ten years. He went on to reschedule all cancelled shows in January 2009.
Poetry of the Deed (2008-2010)
In December 2008 Turner released The First Three YearsThe First Three Years
The First Three Years is a compilation album by singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released 1 December 2008 through Xtra Mile Recordings. The compilation is also included on the re-release of Love Ire & Song, released 26 January 2009...
, a compilation of demos, b-sides and covers that are not featured on either of his studio albums. In January 2009, he released a combined package of The First Three Years and Love Ire & Song, and supported The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem
The Gaslight Anthem is an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, consisting of Brian Fallon , Alex Rosamilia , Alex Levine and Benny Horowitz...
on their tour of the UK and Europe, demoing several new songs and announcing his plans to record a new album in May. The album was produced by Alex Newport
Alex Newport
Alex Newport is a Grammy-nominated record producer, mixer and engineer, based in New York City.Newport was born in Wolverhampton, UK, in 1970 and grew up in the Midlands area....
, as previously suggested in interview by Turner. His band at the time still consisted of Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd
Ben Lloyd is a musician and producer / recording engineer based in Oxford, England. He currently plays electric guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He also recorded and produced Frank Turner's first EP Campfire Punkrock and his first two albums Sleep Is for...
, Tarrant Anderson
Tarrant Anderson
Tarrant Anderson is a musician based in Oxford, England. He currently plays bass guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He was previously a member of the British punk band Dustball...
and Nigel Powell
Nigel Powell
Nigel Powell is a multi-instrumental musician from Abingdon, England. He currently works as Frank Turner's live and studio drummer and is a member of the Oxford based alternative rock band Dive Dive. He was formerly a member of Unbelievable Truth...
from Dive Dive
Dive Dive
Dive Dive are a British rock band, composed of Jamie Stuart , Ben Lloyd , Nigel Powell and Tarrant Anderson...
, with keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
Matt Nasir
Matt Nasir
Matt Nasir is a multi-instrumental musician based in London, England. He currently plays Keyboards for Frank Turner and is a member of the London based rock band 'The Pressure Room'...
having been added on the Love, Ire and Song
Love, Ire and Song
-Singles:*"Photosynthesis" - March 24, 2008, download only*"Reasons Not to Be an Idiot" - June 23, 2008*"Long Live the Queen" - October 20, 2008, charity single...
tour.
Prior to recording Poetry of the Deed
Poetry of the Deed
Poetry of the Deed is the third studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 7 September 2009. The album was released on Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Epitaph Records worldwide....
, Turner stated that:
Turner was announced as the support act on The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
's summer tour, during which he documented his travels with a blog on British music website NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
. Regarding the support slot, Turner stated: "Smash was one of the first punk records I ever bought, and I’m blown away to even be considered for the shows. From a “career” point of view, it’s also great - playing to many thousands of people a night across the States is an opportunity not to be sniffed at."
On 28 April, Turner signed with Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records
Epitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
for releases outside the UK.
Preceded by the single "The Road", Turner's third studio album, Poetry of the Deed, was released on 7 September 2009 and reached #36 in the UK album chart. The following month he embarked upon a UK tour with his band in support of the album (with singer/songwriter Beans On Toast and US band "Fake Problems" as support acts), culminating in a sell-out show at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 29 October 2009. A live DVD/CD, entitled Take to the Road, documenting two shows from the tour - Shepherds Bush Empire and the Union Chapel - was released in the UK in March 2010. In November 2009, Turner began a tour of the US which moved to Europe from 28 November and returned to the UK on 19 December. He completed the year with a New Year's Eve show at The Spiegeltent in Gloucester.
In early 2010, Turner played several more UK gigs, with Chuck Ragan
Chuck Ragan
Chuck Ragan is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. From 1993 until 2006 he was one of the lead singers for Gainesville, Florida-based punk rock band Hot Water Music...
and Crazy Arm supporting. He also accompanied Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish-descendant band from Los Angeles, California, that is currently signed to their own record label, Borstal Beat Records.-Early years:...
and The Architects
Architects (American band)
The Architects are an American rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. They are a reincarnation of the punk and ska band The Gadjits.-The Gadjits:...
on the 2010 Green 17 Tour, and announced via his Twitter that he was working on new songs.
In June, he supported Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
on their stadium shows, and also featured as the cover star of Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine for the first time, with an article inside documenting his solo career up to that point.
Rock & Roll EP and England Keep My Bones (2010-present)
Turner played at many festivals throughout the summer, including his headlining appearance at the Two Thousand Trees FestivalTwo Thousand Trees Festival
The 2000trees festival is an award-winning independent music festival dedicated to bringing together the best new and underground British music for one weekend every July, held at Upcote Farm, Withington, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. It offers a diverse selection of more than 80 acts on four...
, playing his new song I Still Believe. The song was released first as a single and then appeared on his Rock and Roll EP
Rock & Roll EP
Rock & Roll is an EP by Frank Turner, released on December 6, 2010 on Xtra Mile Recordings. Describing the release as "a taster" for his subsequent studio album, England Keep My Bones, the EP was preceded by the single, "I Still Believe"....
. I Still Believe appeared on Turner's most recent album, England Keep my Bones, released on 6 June 2011. Turner also contributed one song, a cover of Build Me Up Buttercup
Build Me Up Buttercup
"Build Me Up Buttercup" is the name of a song written by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, and released by The Foundations with Colin Young singing the lead vocals in 1968. This was the third major hit for The Foundations. Colin Young replaced Clem Curtis in 1968 and this was the first Foundations hit...
, to Centrepoint
Centrepoint (charity)
Centrepoint is the leading charity in the United Kingdom supporting homeless young people aged 16-25. Its is HRH The Duke of Cambridge.It provides a range of accommodation and additional support in health, education and life skills...
's 2010 Charity cover album 1969 Key to Change. On 25 January 2011 Frank was nominated for two Shockwaves NME Awards, for best Solo Artist and best Band Blog or Twitter.
Frank announced on his Twitter on 24 February 2011 that his fourth studio album would be called England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on June 6, 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on June 7, 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide...
and that it would be released in the UK on 6 June 2011 and worldwide on 7 June 2011. He also announced details of solo tours in Australia, Germany, UK, and the US & Canada. Frank started recording of this album on 10 January 2011 and finished recording on 20 January 2011, with mixing completed in February 2011.
In March 2011, Turner stated that:
On 21 March 2011, it was announced that Turner would be making the step up to the main stage at Reading and Leeds in August 2011. He spoke about the "perks" of playing Reading in a recent interview with 6 Towns Radio. He will also be playing Download, Blissfields and Cambridge Folk festivals, as well as many other festivals across Europe.
Several songs from England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones
England Keep My Bones is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on June 6, 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on June 7, 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide...
were debuted at Playfest (a new music festival in Norfolk) on 28 May.
Frank Turner leaked new song 'I Am Disappeared' on to YouTube on 29 March 2011 later making it available for free download through Xtra Mile. He also announced on the 29th that he would soon be releasing 'Peggy Sang The Blues' as the first single from the album.
In early 2011, Frank Turner was booked to play as a headliner at Blissfields
Blissfields
Blissfields is an annual music festival in Hampshire, England run by Paul and Mel Bliss who also run . Founded in 2001 at Bradley Farm, Bradley, near Alresford, the festival took a break in 2008...
Festival. http://www.blissfields.co.uk/
During his May 2011 tour, Frank played a new song, tentatively titled "Rod Stewart." This song later became retitled as "Sailors Boots" and features as the B-side to "If Ever I Stray"
"England Keep My Bones" entered the UK chart at number 12 on its week of release, Franks highest charting album to date.
Frank has also announced plans to release a rarities compilation titled "The Second Three Years."
1000th Solo show
On 21 April 2011 Frank played his 1000th solo show at the StrummervilleStrummerville
Strummerville is the Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music. It was established shortly after Strummer's death in the winter of 2002 by his wife Lucinda, who serves as a trustee...
festival in Shoreditch, London.
Backing band
Turner's band, 'The Sleeping Souls', both live and in the studio, consists of:- Ben LloydBen LloydBen Lloyd is a musician and producer / recording engineer based in Oxford, England. He currently plays electric guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He also recorded and produced Frank Turner's first EP Campfire Punkrock and his first two albums Sleep Is for...
- guitar, harmonica, mandolin - Tarrant AndersonTarrant AndersonTarrant Anderson is a musician based in Oxford, England. He currently plays bass guitar for Frank Turner and is a member of the British rock band Dive Dive. He was previously a member of the British punk band Dustball...
- bass - Matt NasirMatt NasirMatt Nasir is a multi-instrumental musician based in London, England. He currently plays Keyboards for Frank Turner and is a member of the London based rock band 'The Pressure Room'...
- piano, organ, guitar, backing vocals - Nigel PowellNigel PowellNigel Powell is a multi-instrumental musician from Abingdon, England. He currently works as Frank Turner's live and studio drummer and is a member of the Oxford based alternative rock band Dive Dive. He was formerly a member of Unbelievable Truth...
- drums, percussion, backing vocals
Studio albums
- Sleep Is for the WeekSleep Is for the Week- Singles/B-Sides :25 December 2006'Vital Signs' b/w Heartless Bastard Motherfucker , 7 May 2007The Real Damage EP...
(2007) - Love Ire & Song (2008)
- Poetry of the DeedPoetry of the DeedPoetry of the Deed is the third studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on 7 September 2009. The album was released on Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Epitaph Records worldwide....
(2009) - England Keep My BonesEngland Keep My BonesEngland Keep My Bones is the fourth studio album by London-based singer-songwriter Frank Turner, released on June 6, 2011, on Xtra Mile in the United Kingdom, and on June 7, 2011, on Epitaph Records worldwide...
(2011)
EPs
- Campfire PunkrockCampfire PunkrockCampfire Punkrock is the first EP by UK based songwriter Frank Turner. The EP was released via Xtra Mile Recordings on May 15, 2006. The vinyl release includes a live version of "The Ballad of Me and My Friends" and is pressed on a sulfur-yellow 10" vinyl. The EP was recorded at the Oxford home of...
(2006) - The Real Damage (2007)
- Rock & RollRock & Roll EPRock & Roll is an EP by Frank Turner, released on December 6, 2010 on Xtra Mile Recordings. Describing the release as "a taster" for his subsequent studio album, England Keep My Bones, the EP was preceded by the single, "I Still Believe"....
(2010)
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 2006 | "Vital Signs Vital Signs (Frank Turner song) 'Vital Signs' is the first single by UK based songwriter Frank Turner. The Single was released via Xtra Mile Recordings on December 25, 2006. It was available as a Download Only single, however there are promotional copies circulating.-Tracklisting:... " |
– | Sleep Is For The Week |
| 2007 | "The Real Damage" | – | |
| 2008 | "Photosynthesis" | – | Love Ire & Song |
| "Reasons Not to Be an Idiot Reasons Not to Be an Idiot "Reasons Not to Be an Idiot" was the second single by UK-based songwriter Frank Turner from his second album, Love Ire & Song.-Track listing:-Charts:* #124... " |
124 | ||
| "Long Live the Queen Long Live the Queen (Frank Turner Song) "Long Live the Queen" was the third and final single from UK based songwriter Frank Turner's second album Love Ire & Song. It was released as a digital download and as a 7" split single along with Crazy Arm's "Still to Keep"... " |
65 | ||
| 2009 | "The Road The Road (Frank Turner song) "The Road" is the first single from Frank Turner's third album Poetry of the Deed and was released on 7 September 2009 in the UK and Europe on Xtra Mile Records and on 8 September 2009 in the United States on Epitaph Records.... " |
62 | Poetry of the Deed |
| "Poetry of the Deed" | – | ||
| 2010 | "Isabel" | – | |
| "Try This At Home" | – | ||
| "I Still Believe I Still Believe (Frank Turner Song) "I Still Believe" is the ninth single by UK based songwriter Frank Turner, and the first of his fourth EP Rock & Roll. It was released on 28 October 2010.The song was also featured on his fourth full-length studio album England Keep My Bones.... " |
163 | Rock & Roll | |
| 2011 | "Peggy Sang the Blues" | – | England Keep My Bones |
| "If Ever I Stray" | – | ||
| "Wessex Boy" | – | ||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart or has not been released | |||
Guest appearances
- The AutomaticThe AutomaticThe Automatic , are a Welsh rock band. The band is composed of Robin Hawkins on vocals, bass and synthesizers, James Frost on guitar, synthesizers, backing vocals and occasional bass, Iwan Griffiths on drums and Paul Mullen on vocals, guitar and synthesizer - since 2007...
- "Steve McQueenSteve McQueen (The Automatic song)"Steve McQueen" is the first and ultimately only single from Welsh rock band The Automatic's second album This Is A Fix. It is their fifth single overall...
" from This Is a FixThis Is a FixThis Is a Fix is the second album by Wales based band The Automatic. It was released on 25 August 2008. The band worked with producer Don Gilmore in Los Angeles, but were disappointed with these sessions, and instead worked with Butch Walker at Sage and Sound Recording in Los Angeles then back in...
- vocals, percussion (2008) - ReubenReuben (band)Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music was a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004...
- "Deadly Lethal Ninja Assassin" from In Nothing We TrustIn Nothing We TrustIn Nothing We Trust is Reuben's third studio album, released on 25 June 2007. It was mastered in February 2007 by Howie Weinberg in New York. The album was recorded, produced and mixed at Livingstone Studios in London and Soul Valley Studios in Wimbledon by Sean Genockey...
- vocals - Amongst the pigeonsAmongst the PigeonsAmongst The Pigeons is a British producer of electro–dance music based in Brighton, England.He has released his own music on the Marowak Records label and also remixes other artists....
- "Larkin About" from Music to brush your teeth to - vocals (2009) - Look MexicoLook MexicoLook Mexico is a rock band from Tallahassee, Florida, now residing in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Matt Agrella, Ryan Slate, Ryan Smith and Nick Chambers...
- "You Stay. I Go. No Following." from To Bed To BattleTo Bed to BattleTo Bed To Battle is the second studio album by Indie Rock band Look Mexico. It was released on March 23, 2010.-Track listing:#"You Stay. I Go...
- vocals (2010)
Beans On Toast - "Money, Money, Money" from "Standing On a Chair" backing vocals 2009
The Dawn Chorus - Guest on backing vocals on various tracks on their 'The Carnival leaves town' album.
Splits and collaborations
- Reuben / Frank Turner - Xtra Mile Single Sessions #4Xtra Mile Single SessionsThe Xtra Mile Single Sessions were a series of split 7" singles released in January 2006 by Xtra Mile Recordings to promote some of the label's new artists.Xtra Mile Single Sessions #1Released:...
(30 January 2006) - Jonah Matranga / Frank Turner - Split EPJonah Matranga / Frank Turner SplitThis is a split 12" between Jonah Matranga and Frank Turner. It was released via Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Welcome Home Records in the USA. Xtra Mile Recordings releases are all featured on black vinyl, whereas the first 100 copies from Welcome Home Records featured on a yellow and brown...
(17 July 2006) - Austin Lucas / Frank Turner - Under The Influence: Volume 7 (17 April 2009)
- Frank Turner / Tim Barry - Split EPFrank Turner / Tim Barry SplitFrank Turner / Tim Barry is a split 7" EP by folk punk musicians Frank Turner and Tim Barry. It was released on October 13, 2009, on Suburban Home Records in the United States on 500 black and 1000 blue vinyls. The vinyls where available on pre-order from Vinyl Collective and at the 2009 Revival...
(13 October 2009) - Frank Turner / Jon Snodgrass - BuddiesBuddies (Frank Turner / Jon Snodgrass)Buddies is a 10" split album by British folk punk artist Frank Turner and American alternative country artist Jon Snodgrass, that was written in four hours and was recorded the next day in early August 2010. The 10" vinyl was released in the UK in September 2010 and due to popular demand, it was...
(22 November 2010)
Compilation appearances
- Public Service Broadcast #8 (17 April 2006)
- "Photosynthesis" - "2000 Trees - Cider Smiles Vol.1", (Hide and Seek Records, June 2008)
- Xtra Mile High Club (Xtra Mile Recordings, 2008)
- "The Quiet One" - "Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy" (September 2009)
- "Sally" (KerbdogKerbdogKerbdog was an alternative rock band from Kilkenny, Ireland who formed in 1991. Following two albums released on Mercury Records, the band split up in 1998...
cover) - Memoria : A Tribute To The Alternative 90s (Yr Letter Records, October 2009) - "Rock & Roll Romance" - "Take Action: Volume 9" (April (April 2010)
- "Sons of Liberty" - "2000 Trees - Cider Smiles Vol.3", (Hide and Seek Records, July 2010)
- "My Poor Friend Me" (Bad ReligionBad ReligionBad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
cover) - from Germs Of Perfection: A Tribute To Bad Religion (free download, 19 October 2010) - "Build Me Up Buttercup" - "1969 Key to Change", (Centrepoint, 2010)
- "Poetry of the Deed" - "New NoiseNew NoiseNew Noise is a compilation album by American record label Epitaph. The album features 14 tracks by artists either currently signed with Epitaph or had released their tracks included under the label. It was released worldwide on June 15, 2010 via digital download...
" (Epitaph RecordsEpitaph RecordsEpitaph Records is a Hollywood, California based independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. The label was originally "just a logo and a P.O. box" created in the 1980s for the purpose of selling Bad Religion records, but has evolved into a large independent record...
, 2010) - "Redemption (New Solo Acoustic Version)" - Xtra Mile High Club Volume 3 (Xtra Mile Recordings, 2011)
- "On A Plain" - "Nirvana Nevermind Forever" (Kerrang, 2011)
Videography
- Casanova Lament (unaired)
- Vital Signs (2006)
- The Real Damage (2007)
- Photosynthesis (2008)
- Reasons Not to Be an Idiot (2008)
- I Knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous (2008)
- Long Live the Queen (2008)
- The Road (2009)
- Poetry of the Deed (2009)
- Isabel (2010)
- Try This at Home (2010)
- I Still Believe (2010)
- Peggy Sang the Blues (2011)
- If Ever I Stray (2011)
- Sailor's Boots (2011)
Awards and nominations
| Category | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Kerrang Awards 2010 | No Half Measures Award | |
| Shockwaves NME Awards 2011 | Best Solo Artist | |
| Best Band Blog or Twitter | ||
| Bandit Rock Bandit Rock Bandit Rock is a Swedish radio station which plays rock, punk and heavy metal. The station, now a part of the Modern Times Group, was originally founded by American ex-pat Thomas McAlevey and began broadcasting in Stockholm in 1994.... Awards 2011 |
Best International Breakthrough | |
| AIM Association of Independent Music The Association of Independent Music is a non-profit trade body established in 1998 by UK independent record labels to represent the independent record sector, which constitutes approximately 25% of the UK market.... Awards 2011 |
Best Live Act | |
| Hardest Working Artist |
Interviews
- Frank Turner on England Keep My Bones, libertarianism, Brian May and more
- Frank Turner invites Virgin Red Room to his gorgeous garden for an interview on England Keep My Bones.
- YuppiePunk Q&A on pop songwriting, punk rock capitalism and social media
- 26 Sept. 2009 Interview with ThePunkSite.com
- Stereokill Interview: 29 October 2008
- Stereokill Interview: 4 April 2009
- GiggingNI.com talks to Frank Turner
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfT0b2INxO4&feature=avmsc2
- Frank Turner Photo Interview
- Stereoboard Interview: March 2011
- Frank Turner on 6 Towns Radio with Terry Bossons: 20 May 2011
- A snapshot into the mind and musings of Frank Turner