Frank Turner
Francis Edward Turner (born 28 December 1981)[2] is an English punk and folk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke, Hampshire.[3] He began his career as the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million Dead, then embarked upon a primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split in 2005. In the studio and during live performances, Turner is accompanied by his backing band, The Sleeping Souls, which consists of Ben Lloyd (guitar, mandolin), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Matt Nasir (piano, mandolin) and Callum Green (drums).
For other people named Frank Turner, see Frank Turner (disambiguation).
Frank Turner
Francis Edward Turner
Frank 'Dave' Turner, Renrut, The Product
28 December 1981
Manama, Bahrain
Meonstoke, Hampshire, England
Folk, folk punk, alternative country, Americana, hardcore punk, punk rock, acoustic rock, alternative rock
Singer-songwriter
Guitar, vocals, harmonica, piano
2001–present
- Xtra Mile Recordings (UK)
- Interscope (US)
- Epitaph
- Paper + Plastick
- Polydor Records[1]
To date, Turner has released nine solo albums, four rarities compilation albums, one retrospective "best of" album, one split album and five EPs. Turner's ninth and most recent studio album, FTHC was released on 11 February 2022 and reached number 1 in the UK albums chart in the week following its release.
Life[edit]
Early life[edit]
Turner was born to Jane Cartwright, a primary school head teacher, and Miranda Turner, an investment banker, who came out as a trans woman in 2015.[4][5] Upon returning to England, the family settled first in Winchester before moving to Meonstoke.[6] His maternal grandfather is Richard Fox Cartwright (1913–2009), Bishop of Plymouth.[7] Through Miranda, his grandparents are Sir (Ronald) Mark (Cunliffe) Turner (1906–1980),[7] a merchant banker who was also the chairman of high street retailer BHS, and Margaret, daughter of Sir Hereward Wake, 13th Baronet.[7][8][9]
As a child, Turner played the piano,[10] before teaching himself to play the guitar at the age of 11. He discovered his love for music through seeing an Iron Maiden poster on his friend's bedroom wall whilst playing Warhammer, and he convinced his parents to buy him a copy of the album Killers and later a guitar. Turner was educated at Summer Fields and subsequently on a scholarship at Eton College, where he studied alongside Prince William.[11] He has since described his experiences of being at boarding school as traumatic, having led to periods of self-harm and suicidal ideation.[12]
Personal life[edit]
Turner married actress and musician Jessica Guise on 30 August 2019. He frequently collaborates with her and her band Guise, who release music through Xtra Mile Recordings.[88]
Turner has cited The Weakerthans, Bruce Springsteen, Black Flag, NOFX, Descendents, Counting Crows, Nirvana and Johnny Cash[89][90][91][92] as musical influences. Through his music, Turner has discussed several personal themes, including heartbreak, aging, the difficulties of touring, marriage, mental health difficulties, grief and substance misuse. Turner talked openly about his struggles with anxiety and cocaine addiction during the release cycle for FTHC.[93]
Turner has described himself as a "classical liberal" and a "centrist" who was formerly an anarchist in his 20s. He has a tattoo of ama-gi, Sumerian cuneiform for "freedom", on his left forearm. Turner received death threats following a news article from The Guardian which quoted him describing himself as a libertarian, criticising socialism and believing that "leftist politics lead to the misery of many."[94] In a subsequent Guardian interview, Turner clarified his views: "The non-Marxist British left is a fantastic tradition: it's all about non-conformism and voluntarism. The advances of the unions are great advances in human society." He condemned the "repugnant" British National Party for being "socially rightwing/racist" and having "authoritarian leftwing" economic policies.[95]
In 2013, Turner became a patron of the assisted dying campaign group Dignity in Dying.[96] In 2016, he was appointed a patron of Humanists UK (formerly the British Humanist Association), which campaigns on a number of ethical and secularist issues, including assisted dying.[97]
Turner is a friend of Billy Bragg, noted for his left-wing politics. He performs at the Left Field at Glastonbury Festival.
In the past, Turner was straight edge for five years, and was vegetarian for eleven years.[98]
Turner's band, The Sleeping Souls,[99] (named after a lyric from "I Am Disappeared") consists of:
Timeline
Awards and nominations
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