Frank Smith are a band, not a man. At least, that’s what it says on their MySpace page. I did find 40 Frank Smiths in the phone book before I stopped counting. But that’s not the point. That Frank Smith are a band is, however, news of sorts. For a while, terms like “collective” and “side project” were the favored designation, thanks in large part to the lineage: the band got their start when Texas-born Lot Six drummer Aaron Sinclair took a few friends on a bit of a country excursion in Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s son Jesse’s home studio. Various members have come and gone (including Kramer), but Sinclair, along with fellow Lot Sixer Dan Burke (bass) and Eyes like Knives frontman Scott Toomey, never managed to shake Frank Smith. The seven players who took the stage at Great Scott last Saturday night to celebrate the release of the third Frank Smith disc, Red on White (Big Snow), had coalesced into something more than just a collection of local-scene pals on a country-music bender.
The addition over time of Brett Saiia on banjo and Steve Malone on pedal steel complements lots of harmonica blowing and acoustic strumming and drummer Drew Roach’s chugging train rhythms, and it’s given Sinclair a seasoned line-up to help him realize his broad, rootsy vision. Red on White is peppered with lo-fi, found-sound montages that at times give it a back-porch-hootenanny feel. But like the set Saturday, the disc is also carefully arranged, shot through with richly textured ruminations, up-tempo barnstormers, and a reverb-and-feedback-filled ambiance that gives the proceedings a palpable sense of darkness. A new song that recalled the latter Las Vegas Storydays of the Gun Club — the disaster strewn, banjo-filled “Apocalypse Circa Now” — and a slow, mournful cover of Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” (both on the new disc) demonstrated how far Sinclair’s big little band have come in the past couple years. Steve Martin once joked that it’s just not possible to play a sad song with a banjo. Apparently he was wrong.
Related:
Boston music news: November 24, 2006, She really likes them!, Auld lang syne, More 
- Boston music news: November 24, 2006
One of AARON SINCLAIR ’s bands, the LOT SIX , played their final show a week ago last Thursday. But Sinclair’s one-time solo offshoot, FRANK SMITH , are very much alive and well. Frank Smith, "Time to Cut the Fence" (mp3)
- She really likes them!
Juliana Hatfield just compared herself with Bob Dylan. Juliana Hatfield and Frank Smith, "Beer and a Shot" (mp3)
- Auld lang syne
It was a sad occasion a week ago Thursday at ZuZu — Frank Smith frontman Aaron Sinclair’s last in a long line of shows at the Central Square bar.
- False endings
It was an evening of false endings at Great Scott.
- Frank Smith + Beat Awfuls
The holiday spirit was still going strong a week ago Tuesday night on Newbury Street.
- Boston music news, February 16, 2007
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started it with their yearly Yuletide multi-night “Hometown Throwdown,” which ended after 2002. Now Darkbuster have revived the tradition with their “Hometown Throwup,” which in its second year takes over the Abbey Lounge February 18-24.
- Boston music news: September 22, 2006
Local fave the Rudds have been busy beavers. Frank Smith, "Time to Cut the Fence" (mp3) The Rudds, "Astrological Sign Choker" (mp3)
- The Boston hit list
It’s hard to believe Black Helicopter were playing out for a good five years before they hit most people’s radar. Taking Flight: Black Helicopter reach a higher plane of rock. By Matt Ashare
- Beneficial pop
They were calling it the “Who Stole Baker’s Shit!” benefit, but the mood at T.T. the Bear’s Place in Central Square last Tuesday night was more neighborhood spaghetti supper than riled-up rock show.
- Holiday cheer
“It’s a Christmas/networking/holiday party,” explained Q Division co-owner Mike Denneen of the seventh annual bash held at Q’s Somerville studio a week ago Thursday night.
- The Handsome Family
Attentive indiephiles and alt-country fans will soon realize that lyrics about tying a captain to a tree and trying hard not to hear his screams could only be the observations of Albuquerque’s husband-and-wife team the Handsome Family.
- Less
Topics:
Live Reviews
, Internet, Science and Technology, Technology, More
, Internet, Science and Technology, Technology, Aerosmith, Joey Kramer, Social Software and Tagging, Steve Martin, Frank Smith, Aaron Sinclair, Scott Toomey, Less
