GETTING FRANK WITH YOU
When you interview a guy who grew up in Pittsburgh in the ‘70s, you can’t help but give ‘em the old Fred Rogers (of Mr. Rogers fame, who broadcast from Pittsburgh) line, “Won’t you be my neighbor?”
But in this case, Derek Frank actually is.
The bassist who’s toured with the likes of Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain is bringing his band to Liberty for two shows on August 30 & 31.
And after the shows, he’ll sleep in his own bed, as he and his wife have had a second home here since 2005.
But he’s never played Mammoth until now.
As he explains, his stuff was never considered quite jazzy enough for the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, and never quite bluesy enough for Bluesapalooza.
But if you listen to his third album which came out earlier this year, entitled “Origin Story,” you’ll find the grooves meditative and mesmerizing.
Thr Origin Story circling back, of course, to Pittsburgh.
His Theme from Steel City … it sounds like it could be the soundtrack to a Pittsburgh version of a James Gandolfini/Sopranos series.
“Demon on Wheels” gets its title from the old “Speed Racer” anime tv series – and if you grew up in the ‘70s, Speed Racer was It.
Overall, Frank conjures the ‘70s of chase scenes, fight scenes, blaxploitation films and Curtis Mayfield.
As well as the funky ‘70s theme music of the Bob Newhart Show and Barney Miller.
Without lyrics (all instrumental) and a five-piece band.
Frank was born in Pittsburgh. His dad worked for U.S. Steel.
Later, when he would visit the Steel City on various tours, he would rent a car and check out the old ‘hood.
He was eight years old when MTV debuted. He said those videos were what sparked his interest in music.
His bread-and-butter these days comes from touring with name acts (he spent all last year on tour with Shania Twain). He also played Las Vegas during Gwen Stefani’s residency in 2018 and Shania’s residency in 2019.
Of Stefani, he said, “She is just an incredible showman … it’s a joy playing music with anybody, but especially with a great artist whom you respect.”
He’s also played on a Dancing With The Stars tour.
“It’s no secret the industry has changed a lot,” he says. “There’s no money in recorded music.” He says he’d like to license his stuff to television … but that he writes his own stuff to play [live]. The licensing is more of a perk or an extra, not the goal.
His wife is also a musician – a singer who makes her living on the wedding & corporate event circuit.
Where you can find an intersection of the pair: At the monthly jam series “Soundcheck Live” at the Lucky Strike in Hollywood.
What Frank loves about Mammoth: The great ski/snowboard hill and low-key town. Taking the dog to Horseshoe. And Black Velvet Coffee, home of the best Restretto shot in the world.
Come out for Derek Frank at Liberty next weekend so he’ll continue to play local shows!
