this photo shows the current state of the frank record. it is the best sounding spreadsheet in my computer, and a window into a frazzled and compulsive mind struggling to stay organized.
the new FRANK record – in a spreadsheet
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Author Archives: scott
FRANK + GYRADER = FUN
If you know our good friend Guy Rader (“GYRADER”), you’ll think this is really cool. If you don’t you might enjoy it anyway. A few weeks ago Scott, Seth and Guy were at CHEZ FRANK and put together this version of a song Guy has been singing about himself for along time. Check it out here with Guy’s video treatment. We’re told he’s going to do a proper video in a few months as well.
FRANK begins pre-production on NEW RECORD(S)!
Hey everyone –
I am thrilled to report that later today I will trudge through the sleet to begin pre-production for the third FRANK record. It’s been a long time coming, and we’re all very excited to get started. We’ll keep you posted as things progress, but here is some information we know for sure:
Lineup:
Scott Porter – Vocals and Guitar
Billy Ziff – Bass
Seth Glickman – Keyboards
Christian Linsey – Drums
Tracks:
Can’t say for sure, but I can say we’re going to record a lot, probably enough for either a double album (holy 1978 batman) or two full records. We’ve got a ton of material to choose from, current plans are for around 20 songs total.
Studios:
Next month we will head up to Silence Breaks Studios (www.silencebreaks.com) to begin tracking with our good friend Joe Rogers, with subsequent recording likely to take place at our own CHEZ FRANK studios in Brooklyn.
The past few years have been very eventful for the band, including the Seth’s arrival, Ray’s departure, Evan’s arrival and departure, three children, a wedding and a divorce. FRANK has held together through it all and (in my humble non-biased opinion) sounds better than ever. We have been through alot and I think it shows in the music.
For those of you who have continued to stick with us over the years, we can not thank you enough. We make this music because we love to – there is no other reason. If you’re reading this, chances are you feel the same passion for music as we do, and our music speaks to you in some way. If that’s the case, we are making this record for you too.
Onward!
Cheers,
FRANK
FRANK live at Annie’s Shakespeare Shakedown Thursday, February 11th!
We’re playing next Thursday as part of Annie’s Shakespeare Shakedown (www.shakespeareshakedown.com).
Hard to describe exactly, but think of it as Romeo & Juliet set in a DIY East Village party atmosphere with FRANK as the house band and DJ Tinseltown spinning before and after our set. Kind of a post-modern Tony & Tina’s Wedding, but Romeo and Juliet instead of Tony and Tina? Anyway, party starts at 7PM, show starts at 8PM, we’ll probably start playing at around 8 or 8:30 and go til around 10PM (or until Juliet kills herself, whichever happens first). The venue is very cool. $10 gets you Shakespeare, FRANK and a unique party experience. Here’s the particulars…
What
FRANK live
Where
Annie’s Shakespeare Shakedown
China One
50 Avenue B
(between 3rd and 4th St.)
www.shakespeareshakedown.com
When
Thursday, February 11th
Party starts at 7PM, show starts at 8PM
Hope to see you there!
RIP Teddy Pendergrass
Check him out. The man was smooth and positive. Hard to do that and be cool at the same time.
Daptone Records = Real Contemporary Rhythm and Soul
Do you love Stax-style rhytm and soul? Do you wish that people were making that kind of music today? They are. Start with Daptone. It’s a label that consistently puts out excellent modern rhythm and soul (and funk and gospel and afrobeat) with an acute sense of history without being mere nostalgia. All of their artists are superb, and they’re based in Brooklyn. Enjoy.
Vampire Weekend – Channeling Paul Simon for a new generation
I like them. They’ve definitely got a cool sound. I am, however, getting a little tired of hearing how original and eclectic and daring their music is. Sounds alot like Paul Simon to me. Check it out for yourself – here’s a cool performance in “Juan’s Basement”. There’s interviews too.
They seem like cool guys. The drummer likes Phish. Thus, via Billy Ziff, FRANK and Vampire Weekend have something in common…
The Flaming Lips and Miles Davis
The Flaming Lips’ new record Embryonic channels Miles Davis‘ Bitches Brew. The keys and overall production quality sound like Miles’ classic record. Big ups to Wayne Coyne & Co. for their best record since the modern classic Yoshimi, and big ups to Master Davis – we’re all still figuring out how ahead of everyone you really were.
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
“Steampunk big band”? If you say so. All I know is I really like this music. Mahavishnu Orchestra meets Miles Davis/Gil Evans, both updated for our contemporary fractured, postmodern aesthetic…
Question: What do Julian Casablancas, The Black Crowes and Natalie Merchant have in common?
Answer: They all have at one point or another worked with former members of Marmalade, which was the best band in NYC in the early nineties IMHO. There is no website to commemorate this amazing concoction of musicians and personalities and the scene that surrounded them (aside from a facebook page dedicated to those who were there), but those of us who were there know it was special. Joe Crespo, with whom I started The Locals, my first real-deal band in the late 80′s, eventually quit to play bass in Marmalade, and thus began my varied associations with this wild group of awesome musicians and freethinking individuals. (Joe’s brother Ray was the founding drummer of FRANK, and was also in the mix back in those days, though he was at college for alot of the hijinks as far as I can remember). So many stories could be told, but for now we’ll just make the aforementioned connections:
Julian Casablancas’ recently released (and excellent) solo record, Phrazes for the Young, was produced by Jason Lader, founding member and guitarist in Marmalade.
The Black Crowes, whose return to form I’ve recently written about, now feature Adam MacDougall, formerly the keyboardist and occasional drummer in Marmalade, on keys.
Natalie Merchant featured Jen Turner, former guitarist and singer of Marmalade, and Adrian Lopez-Guevarra, former percussionist in Marmalade, on the Tigerlilly record, which was by far her most successful.
What a band.
