LOS FRANKIES – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT AND INTERVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
Los Frankies is a compelling new band based out of LA. The band is comprised of Frankie Clarke (Frankie and the Studs) on guitar and vocals and Frankie Salazar (Vocals/Guitar). Miles Delaco (Drums) and Davide Cinci (Bass) round out the ensemble. They just released two blistering singles off of their upcoming debut album entitled D.E.D. City dropping in March. Both “Dog City” and “I’m on Drugs” capture the pure essence of the punk genre.
As a punk band, Los Frankies channel urgency more than polish. Their music is vibrant and exciting. Los Frankies lean into raw momentum that feels confrontational and alive. Their songs move fast and hit hard. They are driven by punchy guitar riffs and a rhythm that feel like riding on a bullet train. Los Frankies pride themselves with delivering bedlam over something sanded down.
What gives Los Frankies their edge is how they balance aggression with character. The vocals don’t aim for prettiness. They’re delivered with grit and authority. They sound more like a rallying cry than a performance. Beneath the angst, there is structure and intent with sharp changes and hooks that stick despite the chaos. It’s punk that knows its history but isn’t trapped by it. Los Frankies borrow the attitude without mimicking any single era.
Live or recorded, the band’s sound suggests motion. Crowded rooms and crazed fans leading to a shared release of aggression. The music feels social in nature. It’s built to be shouted back rather than being silently consumed. In this way, Los Frankies embody one of punk’s basic values. Music is a space for connection and protest. Loud enough to cut through the noise and honest enough to mean something.
Frankie Clarke and Frankie Salazar were kind enough to sit with AMP for this interview.
AMP: Can you give our readers a little background on the band?
SALAZAR: Los Frankies technically started five years ago when I met Frankie. We released a few songs but it kind of went dormant. I started to make a record with some friends and Frankie jumped in. We put down ten tracks together. We decided to form Los Frankies and make those sessions our debut album.
AMP: How does Los Frankies bring the energy and angst of the early punk scene into a modern perspective?
SALAZAR: Frankie and I have a CBGB tribute band called The Gormandizers. We’ve been doing it for a couple of years now. Learning all that music from the original CBGB scene has placed that music deep into our souls and blood.
CLARKE: We can’t help being influenced influenced by that music because we love it so much. It just comes out.
SALAZAR: We literally play those songs weekly. We also listen to that music constantly. So, it’s only natural that our original music comes out like it does.
CLARKE: We have so much fun doing the tribute band. My dream was to always go to CBGB but that never happened. The whole idea is to bring that CBGB energy to a younger audience, so they can experience that amazing vibe.
AMP: What does being a LA band mean to you, creatively and culturally?
SALAZAR: There’s a lot of bands here. It’s easy to get lost in the mix. You have to know what you are doing at all times. You have to truly pinpoint your sound. Vague and nebulous is not going to work.
CLARKE: In addition, there are so many other bands moving to LA. So, you are basically playing with the best of the best. Being on your “A” game is important. Since I’m from LA, I don’t know anything different.
AMP: Are there any unexpected musical influences that might surprise your fans?
CLARKE: Paramore would be my most surprising. People who know me already know that. I’ve always been influenced by Hayley Williams. I also love female country artists like Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline.
SALAZAR: I love everything. I like reggae a lot. Also, ska and jazz are big influences of mine. In regards to songwriting, I’m really into Eliot Smith even though that doesn’t really come through on this record. He’s probably my favorite songwriter. I really enjoyed his album XO which was done here at the Sound Factory in LA. That is one of the main reasons we recorded our new record there. We kind of morphed his sound by adding angst and energy. The songs all come the same place.
AMP: Speaking of songwriting, is your process collaborative, or does it start with one person?
SALAZAR: Both. But for these songs, I wrote the bulk of the material. I would bring parts to Frankie and she would help with the arrangements. We would work on tones together. I always ran everything by her and we have written a lot in the past. On this record, Frankie also helped with production. She would either give me a stamp of approval or tell me something sounds off.
AMP: Can you walk us through the story of one of your favorite songs on the album?
SALAZAR: Oh man! Hey Frankie, what’s one of your favorite songs?
CLARKE: It’s probably the song that just came out, “Dog City” even though I like “I’m on Drugs” because it truly is a story song.
SALAZAR: I like “Snake Eyes”. It hasn’t been released yet but it’s on the album. It’s about being transient and on the road. It’s also about running away from one life while trying to start another.
AMP: This is a good segue. Your album D.E.D. City drops in March. Can you give us some insight into the release.
SALAZAR: I really care about these songs. We poured everything into them. I’m proud of these tracks. The people who worked on the record are simply brilliant. Our other two members (Davide and Miles) also helped with the production and I consider them both geniuses.
CLARKE: I learned a lot about what not to do during my ten years with Frankie and the Studs. The mistakes made during that period helped me avoid them this time around. There is an awareness with Los Frankies that has made us a bit smarter with our intentions. All our music and visuals are very cohesive and thought out. I’m really excited to enter the world of Los Frankies!
AMP: How would you describe your live show in three words?
SALAZAR: Party! Party! Party!. It’s a party but also a place where you can blow off some steam. The genre allows you to be manic with a sense of camaraderie. Bring on the mosh pits!
AMP: What do you you want your fans to feel when they leave your shows?
CLARKE: Energized! We want them to feel anything is possible.
SALAZAR: A runner’s high. They should be bouncing around and getting sweaty.
CLARKE: During few shows we’ve played, the room got kind of crazy. That’s the best feeling of all. That energy we get from the crowd is what we give back and vice versa. We want to create this huge ball of kinetic electricity where everything explodes.
AMP: What lessons have you learned about the music industry the hard way?
CLARKE: Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is.
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