Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
Transient Frank is an up-and-coming jam band from Central Indiana whose music crosses many boundaries of influence and style. In their original material, as well as their eclectic choice of covers, they convey a sense of fun, freedom and funk. - Nuvo Newsweekly
Ball and Dilk keep it captivating by trading riffs in a twin guitar attack that is complemented (indeed, sometimes led) wonderfully by the rhythm section composed of Smelser and Wilson. - Indiana Statesman (Indiana State University Newspaper, Terre Haute, IN)
Headed up by the always adventurous quartet Transient Frank, a night of jam rock fills Radio Radio on Saturday. Along with its usual show schedule, the band has taken on unique projects such as performing Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album alongside a showing of the film "The Wizard of Oz" and portraying Rage Against the Machine for a tribute show. - INtake
The first track, "Mushroom Cake", is a good representation of where TF finds their niche. Sounding something like the Red Hot Chili Peppers lost first recording, the band melds popular styles of yesterday and today into a swirling montage of sweet music. - Nuvo Newsweekly
My first impression of Transient Frank was from their performance as Pink Floyd at Radio Radio's Halloween Masquerade. Naturally I assumed they would play some of Floyd's tunes for this Dark Side of Oz show. That would be the easy "yellow brick" road to follow, but was not the road chosen by these four lost, brainy, loving, and courageously wondering souls. Instead they chose to take the stage as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin-Man, and the cowardly tripping Lion.
The band then started off the set with an instrumental combining "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with their own "Return of Jupiter". They then continued to guide the audience on a journey through the Land of Oz with theatrical interludes introducing each character. The band proceeded to play a set of Oz parodies featuring each player and their instrument. For drummer Matt Wilson (formerly of Perfect Nothing), who can pocket and rock a beat without recourse, a song comparable to Rage Against the Machine was chosen. After lead singer Danny Ball fed bass player Kelly Smelser a beer to loosen his rusty joints, Smelser laid down the funk of a tin man for a Reggae inspired spoof. After calling Dorothy a "pig-tailed little bitch", Tony Dilk, as the lion, then tore into a rock'n 12 bar blues. With introductions aside, the boys ventured to cover Pink Floyd's "Brain Damage" / "Eclipse" medley. - Indianapolismusic.net
Discography
"A.M.O.U.I." - 2001 Studio Demo recorded with Jarren Benson at The Lodge in Indianapolis, IN
"Indy MP3 Project" featuring "Diggin' to China/China Thang" - 2003 studio track recorded with Steve Hurt at Floodstage Studio
* TF Live Archive available in downloadable audio at www.transientfrank.com
*Coming Soon*
"Walk it in the dark" - full-length album recorded at Surf Records and engineered by Ben Elmore.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Who is Transient Frank? TF, from Indianapolis, is the one and only Psychedelic Groovin' Nebula Hog Funk. Psychedelic because TF's music draws upon the ambiance and vibe of 70's psychedelic rock and funk in a harmonious melding of both old and new. Groovin' because the rhythms and grooves of TF are of the hip shakin' and funk makin' kind. Nebula because the spectrum of styles and influence that comes through in the TF sound is that which is difficult to pin down. It is nebulous yet distinct. Finally, the only way to understand the Hog Funk is to attend a live TF show. The Hog Funk is the funk rockin' party that TF brings to every show, 3-eyed pig style.
TF has had the honor of sharing the bill with artists such as Jack Straw, Vince Welnick, The Breakfast (formerly Psychedelic Breakfast), Chris Shaffer (formerly of The Why Store), Galactic, G. Love & Special Sauce, Umphrey’s McGee, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Chris Robinson’s New Earth Mud, Los Lonely Boys, The Greyhounds, The B-52s, REO Speedwagon, Jazz Mandolin Project, Zen Tricksters, Marc Broussard, Mike Doughty, and many other great acts. Currently, TF is working on their second full-length album and continues to keep a busy live show schedule throughout the Midwest.
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