“I gave myself a songwriting challenge: to see if I could write a song in the vein of Taylor Swift,” muses punk rock stalwart Frank Meyer (who would probably never be mistaken for Taylor Swift, at least physically) about “BLUE RADIO,” the second single from his solo debut album Living Between the Lines (release date March 25, 2025 via Kitten Robot). “Taylor’s song ‘Shake It Off’ was an inspiration for sure.”
Fuelled with the ukulele by Matt Lake (Power Falcon), “Blue Radio” is a jaunty pop ditty that snaps and crackles, led by Frank’s distinctive vocals. “I wanted to write a pop song, but with the edge that I always bring to the table,” he says. “I am very happy with the result. It’s pure power pop. But my take on this style probably came out less Taylor and more like Amy Winehouse by way of Cheap Trick, but that’s fine by me.”
Its accompanying offbeat video which he directed (“inspired by the aesthetic of John Waters and the vibe of David Lynch”) is a continuation of the narrative of an unlikely couple that began with the Grindhouse-esque video for “Baby Dynamite,” the first single from Living Between the Lines. Taking off where the last video ended when “our hero” (actress Ashley Trutanich) who is “relentlessly hit on by creepy guys and takes a blowtorch to them before meeting her true love,” this video advances the story after their proverbial walk into the sunset.
“Our couple heads to a circus where they meet a magician (me in a silly costume), who pulls a magical blue radio out of his hat and gifts it to them,” Frank laughs. “They love this little novelty toy and take it everywhere they go, until our hero spontaneously combusts and dies (she is called ‘Baby Dynamite’ after all!).” Alcohol binges, angels, and zombie-like resurrection (by way of a Carrie-like hand emerging from a fresh grave) flavor the surreal and arresting video. “It’s funny, weird, tragic, kitschy and dreamy,” he adds.
His first foray in truly solo material, Living Between the Lines finds Frank finally standing firmly in the spotlight. While he has fronted seminal West Coast punk bands The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs and Trading Aces and played sideman in FEAR, Wayne Kramer and Cheetah Chrome, and lead vocalist for James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges), Frank’s debut album fully displays his wide-ranging chameleonic musical prowess. The 11-song album ranges from the blistering rock of “Baby Dynamite” to the late night bar sway of “Piece of Me” (which features Runaways Cherie Curie on vocal duties), to the power-chord stomp of “Partners In Crime” (featuring Supersuckers’ Eddie Spaghetti), to the bluesy soul of the title track (which includes vocals from Bellrays’ Lisa Kekaula). Closing out with the rootsy “Dead Winter,” which only reinforces his mastered breadth of musical versatility, Living Between the Lines is as much a journey through Frank’s storied history as it is a gutsy intro to his own personal vision. “With Living Between The Lines, I am finally stepping out on my own,” he says proudly. “I dig it.”
Living Between the Lines will be released on March 25, 2025 via Kitten Robot. “Blue Radio” is available now to purchase/stream on DSPs via Kitten Robot.
