Glam rock quartet Frankie + The Studs have had a good summer to say the least. The band recently wrapped up a tour that included stops at The Viper Room in Los Angeles, Lollapalooza in Chicago, and Highline Ballroom in New York City. They’ve also just dropped their debut EP “High On Yourself.”
If you’re not familiar with Frankie + The Studs, we’re here to give you a brief crash course. Lead singer Frankie Clarke comes from rock royalty; her father Gilby Clarke is the guitarist in Guns N’ Roses so she knows a thing or two about making fist in the air rock anthems.
We asked Frankie to put together some of the songs that inspired her growing up and Frankie + The Studs. You’ll find a lot of classic songs from artists including T.Rex, David Bowie, and The Black Keys so dive in.
Green Day – American Idiot
“If we’re talking about songs that have inspired me, I remember a friend lending me Green Day’s “American Idiot” album when I was in the 5th grade. Hearing this first song off the album, Green Day became my favorite band. From then on, I had the biggest crush on boys with guy liner and to this day every time I write a song I hear an underlying influence from Green Day, probably because this album is completely engrained in my memory.”
The Strokes – Heart in a Cage
“My love for the Strokes is borderline obsessive. I watch the video for this song almost on a weekly basis. Immediately when I listen to The Strokes, I just want to go back to NY. And that riff is so rad.”
She’s One of the Boys – Nick Gilder
“I really wanted this song to be our walk on music for Frankie + The Studs, just because I feel like it’s so relevant to who I am as a performer. Instead, I just listen to it while I get ready before a show.”
Ace Frehley – New York Groove
“New York Groove is just one of those songs that can put me in a good mood instantaneously. I mean it’s sooo good!! If this song ever comes on and we are mid conversation prepare for me to tune out and start singing along… and I’ll probably make you sing along too…”
Paramore – All I Wanted
“This is one band that I don’t think people would expect for me to be in love with. One of the reasons I have always admired Paramore is they have their own sound. I’ve never been able to pin point an artist that sounds just like them. I can’t listen to this song without getting chills. Her voice conveys so much emotion, I want to be able to do the same and make people feel something.”
Blackmail – The Runaways
“If it weren’t for the badassery that were the Runaways, I don’t think I’d be who I am today. I love how aggressive this song is. They really were the “queens of noise”. Plus, it’s a great song to jam out to when you’re pissed off… Yeah I’m guilty of screaming along to this in my car when no one is around.”
T.Rex – Life’s a Gas
“T.Rex is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. The lyrics don’t always make sense, but they’re poetic. I love that you can create your own sense of what he’s saying. This song has stuck with me because I remember my dad recorded his own version when I was younger, so this song is engrained in my memory. Marc Bolan’s voice is just so haunting.. I could listen to it all day.”
Black Keys – Everlasting Light
“This song sounds like it could’ve been right off of T.Rex’s “Electric Warrior” album. It’s got such a great groove, and it was one of my favorite songs to see them perform live. When they play it live, they drop down a disco ball, and between the visuals and the pulsing beat, it just puts me in a complete trance.”
David Bowie – Heroes
“This song either makes me cry or makes me feel incredibly nostalgic. You know that scene in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” movie when they go through the tunnel and listen to this song? That’s the feeling I get whenever I hear this.”