Takes A Flamethrower to Toxic Masculinity
With Explosive Video “Baby Dynamite”
“If you’re into punk rock at any level, you probably know of Frank Meyer. His name is synonymous with the LA punk scene and has been so for over 20 years. He’s a legend in punk circles and continues to get better as time moves on.” – The Vinyl District
“Frank Meyer is one of the essential figures of the American underground scene, a guy who sweats creativity from every pore of his body.” – Rock Bottom Magazine
“Frank Meyer’s name has been synonymous with the LA punk for over two decades.”
– Rearview Mirror
Frank Meyer “Baby Dynamite”
Link/Embed: https://youtu.be/5B1-ha5T_6Y?si=nSmtMb6g4T7ezNgj
JANUARY 29, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA) — “It’s an explosive feminist-tinted love story complete with multiple murders and a flamethrower,” laughs punk rock war-horse and multi-hyphenated artist FRANK MEYER about his new single “Baby Dynamite” which gets released today, January 29, 2025 via Kitten Robot. It is the first single from his upcoming new album Living Between the Lines which will be released on March 11, 2025.
The “Baby Dynamite” video was inspired by the award-nominated indie film Bellflower (2011), a masterstroke of cinematic revenge against the toxic masculinity. Adopting not only the sepia-toned filter and the dynamic handheld camerawork from the film’s aesthetic, his video also carries over the romance portion, borrowing the film’s narrative to stunning effect. “Our hero is a strong, tough woman who goes on a journey across town,” he relays about the similarities in the two narratives. “She is relentlessly hit on by creepy, aggressive guys until she snaps, grabs a flamethrower, and roasts them all alive! It’s only then that she meets her true love.”
Shot in Los Angeles and directed by Frank, “Baby Dynamite” is Part 1 of a wild, funny and violent love story inspired by John Waters, Quentin Tarantino, and David Lynch (“The other part unfurls in the upcoming ‘Blue Radio’ music video, out next month,” he teases) and adds to his ever-growing award-winning oeuvre of film and video work. “When I’m not playing music, I am a director and editor in movies and TV, so directing is definitely in my wheelhouse,” he says (Frank’s brother is Roadtrip / Clueless actor Breckin Meyer). Having directed videos for the landmark West Coast punk bands that he fronted including The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, Trading Aces, Highway 61, as well as all four videos by The Dwarves from their last album Keep It Reel and the hilarious video “Highway to Hell” by gay AC/DC tribute band GayC/DC (which starred metal luminaries from LA Guns, King’s X and Armoured Saint), Frank split his director duties this time around. “I always try to have a multi-tasking Director of Photography by my side who can step in and direct me when I need to be on camera,” he says. “In this case it was the great Sarah Remetch, known for her work with Suicide Girls.”
The new album Living Between The Lines by the veteran of the punk rock scene and member of the aforementioned West Coast punk bands marks the first time Frank emerges from the safety of the band collective and strikes out on his own. “Living Between The Lines is my debut solo album after years as frontman of bands like The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs and Trading Aces, sideman in FEAR, Wayne Kramer and Cheetah Chrome, and lead vocalist for James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges),” he explains. “During Covid, I made a collaboration album with my ol’ pal Eddie Spaghetti (Supersuckers), which was the first time an album cover said ‘Frank Meyer’ instead of a band name. That record did really well and got me thinking it was high time to strike out on my own and finally make a solo album.”
Frank Meyer (hi-res)
photo credit: Joe Welkie
Instead of sticking to the formula that fueled his creativity in the past, he struck a different chord for his solo debut. “I wanted this record to sound different than my other projects and add a new layer to my songwriting,” he explains. “So these songs are overtly more bluesy and soulful, less punk, and a bit poppier. I guess this is my Tom Petty album. It’s about dang time!”
The 11-song album adds touches of blues and soul to Meyer’s expected high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, revealing a more mature voice. Frank is joined for duets by longtime friend and collaborator Lisa Kekaula of The Bellrays on the title track, Runaways icon Cherie Currie on “Piece of Me” and Eddie Spaghetti on “Partners In Crime.” He adds, “It meant a lot to have these particular vocalists join me on my solo debut. Lisa and I go way back to my earliest days of the music scene in L.A.. Eddie is also an old friend and touring buddy, and was a big inspiration in making this album. Cherie saw the Streewalkin’ Cheetahs early on and helped us get signed. So all of them are dear to me and have been integral in my career.”
With the release of Living Between the Lines, Frank will embark on U.S. and European solo tours, both solo acoustic and with an electric backing band. He will be performing songs off the new album alongside material he’s written throughout his career. “This will be my first time touring under my own name,” says Meyer. “I’ve always been a band guy, but with Living Between The Lines, I am finally stepping out on my own. I dig it.”
Living Between the Lines will be released on March 11, 2025 via Kitten Robot.
BABY DYNAMITE
Red raspberries taste so divine
A slice of happiness right from the vine
Everyone at the party heads for heartbreak
In the city of the devil’s handshake
Ain’t gonna lose and it’s front page news
It’s alright, baby dynamite
And when you fall in love, it’s a raid of the heart
Leaving a victim every time
But you had all my love right from the start
In a simple rhyme
Ain’t gonna lose and it’s front page news
And when you choose, you’ll set the town alight
It’s alright, baby dynamite
Tonight, tonight, tonight, baby dynamite
Tonight, tonight, tonight
She walks through the darkness. She’s the fuel that lights the flame
My baby is a lady now, so, world, get out of her way
You’ll never lose and you’re front page news
And when you choose, you’ll set the fuse alight
It’s alright, baby dynamite
Tonight, tonight, tonight, baby dynamite
Living Between the Lines
(hi-res album art)
Tracklisting
- Baby Dynamite
- Family Tree
- Blue Radio
- Piece of Me (feat. Cherie Currie)
- Dreaming in Stereo
- Goodbye Arkansas
- Partners in Crime (feat. Eddie Spaghetti)
- The Dirty Town
- Living Between the Lines (feat. Lisa Kekaula)
- Who Stole the Soul
- Dead Winter
Rey Roldan || [email protected]
Heather Hawke || [email protected]