Frank Turner, Discharge, The Varukers, Turbo AC'S and more at MS 2012

Frank Turner (UK)

Frank Turner is a rising star singer/songwriter based in the United Kingdom, whose work can best be described as fitting into the folk/punk genre. Since the demise of his former hardcore band Million Dead, he has toured the entire Western world (and beyond!) extensively. Despite the popular belief, he had his first official performance in September 2004, prior the break-up of Million Dead.

In the spring of 2006 Frank Turner went to Oxford to record his first effort, the “Campfire Punkrock” EP (released on 15 May 2006). Its good sales meant also good news for Frank as it allowed him to record and release his debut full-length album “Sleep Is for the Weak” (2007), which caught the attention of a surprising amount of European fans. A mere year later his second album “Love, Ire and Song” was released to much critical acclaim.

The hardworking Frank released his third full-length “Poetry of the Deed” in 2009, an album spawning the hit singles “The Road”, “Try This At Home” and “Isabel”. In January 2011 Turner spent twenty days recording his next (and latest) studio album “England Keep My Bones”, which was released worldwide in June 2011.

Discharge (UK)

Discharge are a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 that is often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal.  The band’s music is characterized by a heavy, distorted, and grinding guitar-driven sound and raw, shouted vocals similar to a speech, with lyrics on anarchist and pacifist themes.

The band also expresses its political themes in its albums’ artwork which depict social criticism using an iconic black-and-white photography style. Since the beginning of its formation, the band has released 6 albums, 7 EPs and several singles and compilations.

Discharge's music influenced hardcore punk, thrash metal, crust punk, grindcore and a range of other subgenres of extreme metal. The genre of d-beat is named after Discharge and their distinctive drumbeat.

The Varukers (UK)

The Varukers are a UK hardcore punk band formed in 1979 by vocalist Anthony "Rat" Martin, which produced its most influential recordings in the early 1980s. The band’s lyrics carry an anarchist political ideology.

While the Varukers split in 1989, vocalist Rat and guitarist Biff put the band back together in 1991. Stylistically their 1990s-era music resembled the traditional UK82 style. Since the band had former members of Discharge, a D-beat sound developed as time went on.

To this day they continue to tour rapidly all over the world. They shared a headlining spot with such acts as Broken Bones, The Adicts, Vice Squad and GBH at the ill-fated British Invasion 2k6 concert festival in San Bernardino, California which ended in mass-rioting and alleged police brutality. The Varukers are currently writing new material for their upcoming album.                                      

Turbo AC'S (US)

The Turbo A.C.’s emerged from the streets of New York City in the early 90s. Vocalist/guitarist Kevin Cole, drummer Kevin Prunty, and bassist Michael Dolan released a number of EPs and compilation tracks on various labels before issuing their debut full-length through Blackout in 1996. “Damnation Overdrive” showcased the A.C.’s’ adrenaline-soaked punk & roll, a sound that kicked Dick Dale into the whiskey overdrive of Motörhead, and slicked its hair back with engine grease. Constant touring honed the sound and spread the word; after a few more compilation appearances and a split 7” with the Hellboys, the band dropped the “Winner Take All” LP through Cacophone in 1998. For their next trick, the Turbo A.C.’s signed with Nitro Records, but not before issuing another flurry of singles and compilation appearances. 2001’s “Fuel for Life” LP became their Nitro debut, and was supported with more touring, both in dingy clubs and on enormous Warped Tour stages. The A.C.’s returned in 2003 with “Automatic”. Produced by Blag Dahlia, mixed by Billy Milano, and issued concurrently by Bitzcore in Europe and Gearhead in the States, it was widely hailed as the band’s most intense work yet. Like they had done from the very beginning, the Turbo A.C.’s supported the effort with an exhausting run of live dates. “Avenue X” next appeared in June 2005. Having released two more full-lengths since “Avenue X”, the band will be back with their brand new release “Kill Everyone” in 2012!

Rat City Riot (US)

The road for street-punk rabble rousers Rat City Riot hasn’t been without its bumps and crashes, or for that matter, stinky socks and bloody knuckles. After 700 shows and several members, the now 5-strong group from San Diego is finally putting feet to ground and fist to face. Since 2003, the spirit of oi, hardcore punk, and balls out rock’n’roll has pumped Rat City Riot to perform globally from the local homegrown towns to the metros of Europe.

Original members Noah Bricker (vocals) and Chris Barclift (guitars) needed no permission to start up their aggressive punk rock fueled mission. From the beginning, the boys have had to scrape by with little to nothing – but with true DIY ethics and a concrete allegiance to their music. Working initially with Taang! Records, Rat City Riot learned a hard lesson about trust and survival. They managed to do their first US tour on a shaky budget and released “Dirty Rotten Games” in 2004. It took another three years of piecemeal, pounding the pavement, and selling their merchandise to record the “Open Road” EP For Release on Street Anthem Records. In 2007, Rat City Riot toured Europe and the entire U.S. in their rolling assault transport passenger van.

Along the way, the band picked up members Daniel Franco (bass guitar), Alex Patterson (ex-Guns on the Run, guitars) and newest member Gavin Glenn (ex-Red Lotus) (drums). The guys’ can boast sharing the stage with Dropkick Murphys, Slaughter & the Dogs, The Business and Roger Miret and the Disasters. In fall 2008, Rat City Riot blitzed over Europe with new material from the “Load Up” release. In 2011, Rat City Riot were at it once again, with their latest release, “Better Than Nothing” on their family record label I Hate People Records.

Newest additions to the band’s line-up include Kevin Grossman (ex Bonecrusher and Straight Faced) on lead guitar, and Kevin Abrams on bass guitar. Back for more, are seasoned touring veterans, Noah Bricker on vocals, Andy Mensing on guitar, and Gavin Glenn on drums.

This summerm, Rat City Riot are back, stronger than ever, and will be tearing across the terrain, onto a stage near you with a vengeance. Take it or leave it, their motto is: “image is nothing, live the life, not the lifestyle.”

Prague Conspiracy (CZ)

Influenced by bands like Skatalites, New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble and Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, the original band Prague Ska Conspiracy were formed in 2005 with the intention of playing old-school, instrumental Jamaican ska music. Very early on, however, Mariana Wesley joined the band as a singer and the band set off on a never-ending tour around Czech clubs and festivals.

Slowly drifting away from their original ska-influenced sound, the band incorporated so many elements of punk rock and rock’n’roll that their horn section became redundant. At the turn of the years 2009/2010 Prague Ska Conspiracy went on a short hiatus and reunited shortly after as Prague Conspiracy, a reborn rock’n’roll outfit ready to take back what used to be theirs.

In 2011 yet another major change came about: the band’s original lead singer Mariana decided to quit and a new one, the red hot punk rock chick Aneta, joined shortly after. Possessing a Motörhead-like locomotive roar, the today’s Prague Conspiracy are an explosive and unbridled force, guaranteed to deliver a seething show of old-school rock’n’roll rage.