For years now, Frank Turner has garnered a bevy of beloved fans like a Pied Piper, rousing people to follow him from boisterous song to sing-along anthems that herald all the imperfections of the human condition, including his own, embracing instead of deflecting what makes us all annoying, inspiring, frustrating and beloved. Turner started his trek across these American lands in late September and arrives in Denver at the Marquis on Friday, October 7.
From the first album, Sleep is for the Week, to the 2011 release England Keep My Bones, Turner’s lyrical inspirations come straight from the heart and from his personal experiences, but are conveyed in a way that we an all relate. His punk rock roots give a palpating, raw energy to these ditties, including his cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” on Denver’s Suburban Home Records in 2009.
Grab a Scotch and sit a spell as Turner tells the tale of the “English Curse,” made even more compelling by single spotlight of this acapella song, which seems to reach back to a time of merry men and blood bath battles.
The mere realization of our own mortality hits me upside the head as news of Steve Jobs’ death populates the news channels and Twittesphere, spotlighting the visionary’s quotes that inspire the “Life is short. Live for today,” ode.
Whether you’re religious or not, we an all appreciate the message from “Glory Hallelujah,” which echoes those sentiments. “I know you’re scared of dying man and I am too / But just pretending it’s not happening isn’t gonna see us through / If we accept that there’s an end game and we haven’t got much time / Then in the hear and now we can try to do things right.”
The cadence of “If Ever I Stray” is reminiscent of “The Road,” blasting with a chorus that sloshes beer glasses and wraps arms ‘round your mates, “But if ever I stray from the path I follow / Take me down to the English Channel / Throw me in where the water is shallow / And then drag me on back to shore! / ‘Cause love is free and life is cheap / As long as I got me a place to sleep / Clothes on my back and some food to eat / Then I can ask for anything more.”
I think you said it all Frank. Couldn’t agree more.
Frank Turner Tour Dates:
Oct. 07 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
Oct. 08 – Albuquerque, NM – Launch Pad
Oct. 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
Oct. 11 – Pomona, CA – Glasshouse
Oct. 12 – San Diego, CA – Soma
Oct. 13 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theater
Oct. 14 – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
Oct. 15 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
Oct. 16 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Oct. 23 – Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock
Oct. 25 – Milwaukee, WI – Turner Hall
Oct. 26 – Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
Oct. 27 – Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
Nov. 02 – Cambridge, MA – Middle East Downstairs
Nov. 03 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
Nov. 04 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts
