Frank Turner’s Favourite Aussie Punk Bands

Last month, UK folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner announced the release of his tenth album, Undefeated – an album that promises an expansion into the raw heavy sound explored in 2022’s FTHC.

He found inspiration in longtime influences Black Flag, Counting Crows, Descendents, The Pogues, Elvis Costello and Billy Bragg and recorded the album with his live band, The Sleeping Souls:  Ben Lloyd (guitar), Tarrant Anderson (bass), Callum Green (drums) and Matt Nasir (piano).

To celebrate the LP’s forthcoming release this May, Turner has told The Music about his favourite Australian punk bands. Some are unsurprising – Frenzal Rhomb? Of course! – while Turner also honours the new guard of homegrown punk, like Teenage Joans. You can check out his favourite memories of touring Australia here.

Frank Turner has been a significant member of the UK’s alternative rock industry since 2005 when he went solo following the split of his post-hardcore band Million Dead.

He first toured Australia in April 2010, after releasing his third album, Poetry Of The Deed, in September 2009. By that point, he’d already dropped the beloved albums Sleep Is For The Week and Love, Ire & Song. He’s been a popular fixture in Australia’s touring circuit ever since, having played at festivals like Groovin The Moo, Queenscliff Music Festival, and Bluesfest Byron Bay.

A frequent visitor to Australia, Turner is beloved for his captivating and intense live shows and messages to Be More Kind and provide Positive Songs For Negative People.

According to the artist, his Metro Theatre show in Sydney, his 1,661st show, was among his favourites. The Music described the gig as “raucous, rocking, punky fun”.

In November, Turner returned to Australia for his most expansive tour down under to date, bringing his Neverending Tour Of Everywhere to the largest venues he’d ever headlined in Australia.

So, the relationship between Frank Turner, the musician, the man himself and Australia remains strong. Read on to find out who his favourite Australian punk bands are.

1.        Frenzal Rhomb

The greatest, as far as I’m concerned.

2.        The Birthday Party

Are they punk? Would it be punk to care?

3.        The Beards

God, I love the Beards so much. No messing around.

4.        Teenage Joans

New favourites for me!

5.        The Smith Street Band

Old touring buddies, perennially brilliant writers.

You can pre-order/pre-save Undefeated here.