It’s been six years since SoCal icons Social Distortion dropped their sixth studio album, Sex, Love, and Rock ‘n’ Roll, on the world, and the release of the long-awaited seventh (and first since signing to Epitaph) is just around the corner. To support the fall release of this much-anticipated album, the band has announced a series of October and November dates during which they’ll be joined by two of my favorite voices in music: Frank Turner and Ben Nichols via his band Lucero. Unfortunately, the tour won’t be hitting LA, but with three acts this great on one bill, I definitely recommend those of you lucky enough to live near one of the stops pick up ticket. Meanwhile I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that they decide to add additional dates. Or more specifically, one additional date in LA.
In the song “Try This At Home” on Frank Turner’s critically acclaimed album Poetry of the Dead, the artist sings the lyric, “Turn off your stereo, pick up that pen and paper, you could do much better than some skinny half-arsed English country singer,” and now he’s giving listeners a serious incentive to take him at his word.
It’s hard to stand out when you’re on stage with 7 other talented artists, but that didn’t seem to present a problem for Frank Turner. After catching the Brit on the Revival Tour back in November, I became an instant fan of the hardcore-frontman-turned-troubador. If you got a ticket to his show at Hotel Café Tuesday night, you were one of the lucky ones as he sold out the venue, and I’m sure you understand what I mean when I say he delivers his folk songs with punk energy and passion. He’s now prepping for a tour with Flogging Molly and was kind enough to answer a few questions for LA Music Blog about the upcoming tour, working with producer Alex Newport, and the DVD that can bring his live show right into your living room.
There were moments during the Revival Tour that I seriously regretted the two large waters I drank before the show. Eight uber-talented artists playing music for 4 straight hours was not something my full bladder was prepared for, but the show started with everyone performing together so they didn’t need any time between sets to switch out equipment and tune. They would just manage the stage in disorganized shifts, moving in and out of each others’ sets as they pleased. When was I supposed to give up my coveted spot right behind the sound guys to go battle the lines in the well-stocked restroom of El Rey? (They sell Mentos and Twizzlers in the bathroom there, no joke.)
Chuck Ragan, Jim Ward, Frank Turner, Joey Cape, Audra Mae, Possessed By Paul James with Jon Gaunt on fiddle & Digger Barnes on upright bass.
Nov. 7th, 2009 8:00 pm
Doors: 7:00 pm
All Ages
$18
El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
