Frank Turner

Frank Turner, born December 28, 1981, is an English singer-songwriter known for his blend of folk and punk influences. Hailing from Meonstoke, Hampshire, Turner first gained recognition as the vocalist for the post-hardcore band Million Dead. Following the band's dissolution in 2005, he launched a successful solo career, primarily focusing on acoustic-driven music.

Early Career and Solo Beginnings

Turner began performing solo acoustic sets even before Million Dead disbanded. His first official solo performance took place on September 18, 2004. These early solo shows served as a platform to showcase his songwriting abilities, perform covers, and introduce his music to new audiences, sometimes even incorporating acoustic versions of Million Dead songs.

"Campfire Punkrock" EP and Debut Album

In early 2006, Turner recorded the "Campfire Punkrock" EP in Oxford, with the band Dive Dive providing backing on three tracks. Released in May 2006 on Xtra Mile Recordings, the EP sold out quickly and required a repress due to high demand. The success of this EP paved the way for the recording of his debut solo album, "Sleep Is For The Week," which was completed in August and September 2006. Recorded in Oxford with Dive Dive contributing to select tracks, the album featured a live recording of "The Ballad Of Me And My Friends" with audience participation.

"Love, Ire and Song" and "Poetry Of The Deed"

Turner's second album, "Love, Ire and Song," was released in April 2008 to critical acclaim. This was followed by his third full-length album, "Poetry Of The Deed," on September 7, 2009, which included the singles "The Road," "Try This At Home," and "Isabel." A companion DVD, "Take To The Road," was released in March 2010.

"England Keep My Bones" and The Sleeping Souls

Amidst extensive touring for "Poetry Of The Deed," Turner and his then-unnamed backing band recorded the EP "Rock & Roll." In January 2011, they entered the studio to record their next album, "England Keep My Bones," released on June 6, 2011. The album's title was inspired by William Shakespeare's "The Life and Death of King John." Following the album's completion, Turner announced that his backing band had officially named themselves The Sleeping Souls, comprising Nigel Powell, Ben Lloyd, Tarrant Anderson, and Matt Nasir.

"Tape Deck Heart" and Subsequent Releases

Turner recorded his fifth studio album, "Tape Deck Heart," in Burbank, California, in October 2012. The album was released in March 2013, preceded by singles such as "Recovery." During this period, promotional materials like the free CD "Good Hangs" and free downloads of songs like "Four Simple Words" were distributed. In February 2013, Turner signed a licensing deal with Interscope Records in the US for "Tape Deck Heart."

Later Albums

Turner continued to release music consistently. His sixth studio album, "Positive Songs for Negative People," was released in 2015. In 2017, he released "Songbook," a collection of re-recorded songs. His seventh studio album, "Be More Kind," was released on May 4, 2018. Subsequent releases include "No Man's Land" (2019) and "West Coast vs. Wessex" (2020) with NOFX.