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Tony Franklin *is* a monster

BaileyMan

BaileyMan

Supporting Member
Jan 8, 2012
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Oly Pen
#1
I'm kinda embarrassed to admit that I never knew who Tony Franklin (aka The Fretless Monster) was up until recently, when I picked up the fretless again and found an online video course that he does.

I love his playing, his articulations, his tone, his voice on the fretless. I never got into the 80's hairband thing. Born in '73, I didn't really get into music until the late 80s when I got turned on to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and early Black Sabbath. That kinda rocked my world and it changed me forever. From there it was the early 90's and early college with Janes Addiction, Nirvana, Pearl Jam among others. My music, like most of us I'm sure, has taken some twist and turns. So, Tony Franklin...I see why he's got a Fender Signature bass. I'm still not a big fan of The Firm and other bands in that Genre, but Tony Franklin is great in that band! It's been fun to listen to his playing and work on some of those licks. I haven't nailed that tone yet, but I dig it!
 
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#2
Jaco who? :roflmao: Tony Franklin is the reason I play fretless bass guitar in my rock and metal projects. And everything else, too. His playing really inspires me. And his tone? I've been on that chase for a long time...

One of my first "big" shows was a Band Battle in Columbus, Ohio. I was too young to get in the club. My parents had to take me. The place was packed. And was huge, to me. TVs everywhere! Long before sports clubs and LED screens. I was watching a TV, wit heavy and hard rock music showin. A video came up of a band I did not recognize. The bassist had crazy hair, and his tone? I had no idea, exactly, about tone back then. But I heard his bass. And it had a HUGE effect on me. The band I was watching, I learned later, was the Firm. I researched a ton. Found out who was in that band, and have studied his playing ever since. He's done TONS of work! Find his discography. Look his work up. I don't love all the music he's played. But I love every note he's put down. Not only his playing, but his energy and enthusiasm about bass and in his performances inspires me to this day. Those online lessons, and Tony himself, are fantastic!
 
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#3
David McIntire said:
Jaco who? :roflmao: Tony Franklin is the reason I play fretless bass guitar in my rock and metal projects. And everything else, too. His playing really inspires me. And his tone? I've been on that chase for a long time...

One of my first "big" shows was a Band Battle in Columbus, Ohio. I was too young to get in the club. My parents had to take me. The place was packed. And was huge, to me. TVs everywhere! Long before sports clubs and LED screens. I was watching a TV, wit heavy and hard rock music showin. A video came up of a band I did not recognize. The bassist had crazy hair, and his tone? I had no idea, exactly, about tone back then. But I heard his bass. And it had a HUGE effect on me. The band I was watching, I learned later, was the Firm. I researched a ton. Found out who was in that band, and have studied his playing ever since. He's done TONS of work! Find his discography. Look his work up. I don't love all the music he's played. But I love every note he's put down. Not only his playing, but his energy and enthusiasm about bass and in his performances inspires me to this day. Those online lessons, and Tony himself, are fantastic!
Click to expand...
I loved reading about your history with his music. He has clearly inspired you! I look forward to digging deeper.

@David McIntire, what are your top 3 TF albums?
 
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#4
I followed his whole career, once I figured out who he, and that band was. I don't like everything the Firm did, but? His playing is great on all of it. He's done guest work on many records, too. Roy Harper, Quiet Riot, and an Iron Maiden tribute that I still listen to to remind myself I can play fretless in hard and heavy music. Here are my fave full discs;

The Firm. I tracked down this album the day after my gig. Album. Yes. I am old. Ha! The production isn't as good as I'd like. But you can still hear his great tone and playing all over it. Learn the opening track. Syncopation is fun! And that solo section is a finger breaker. Heh.

The Firm (Jimmy Page & Paul Rodgers) - The Firm (full album 1985) - YouTube

Blue Murder. This is the disc that established him for me as my fave. A bit dated today, but I still love it. Their second disc is also spectacular, but Tony did not play on every track. The tracks he is on? Are just SMOKIN, tho. But this first disc is where he earned the nickname, Fretless Monster...

Blue Murder "Blue Murder" (1989) - Full Album - YouTube

Derek Sherinian played with Dream Theater on a disc and tour. He now plays with a band called Black Country Communion with Glenn Hughes (another guy you should check out), Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham. In between, he put this disc out. Tony is all over this disc. The first track? A lesson in counting. And fun...

Derek Sherinian -Blood of The Snake- Instrumental Metal - YouTube

He's done a lot of stuff. I always love how he sounds, tho sometimes it's hard to pick out his tone. I know you said you aren't in to the "hair" band thing, but that is kinda what Tony does. Thing is? His bands are NOTHING like Poison, Ratt, Bon Jovi, etc. His bands are more authentic, even in the heavy rock style he seems to prefer. He did tour with Whitesnake for a bit. And I keep hearin rumours of a new Blue Murder disc. We'll have to see. Check these out, then search Roy Harper. More quirky stuff. But his work with Roy led Jimmy Page to seek him out. Hope ya have fun with em.
 
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#5
Bonus track:



This may be my fave Tony Franklin track. Off the 2nd Blue Murder disc. He shared bass duties with another great, Marco Mendoza. But Marco is not Tony. Tony is on the majority of the disc, tho. And you can tell which is him very easily. This is a great riff! The rest of the disc is great, too. And, the production is better. You can hear the bass more clearly. The final track has some great tone examples, and use of a compressor.
 
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#6
David McIntire said:
Bonus track:



This may be my fave Tony Franklin track. Off the 2nd Blue Murder disc. He shared bass duties with another great, Marco Mendoza. But Marco is not Tony. Tony is on the majority of the disc, tho. And you can tell which is him very easily. This is a great riff! The rest of the disc is great, too. And, the production is better. You can hear the bass more clearly. The final track has some great tone examples, and use of a compressor.
Click to expand...

Awesome! Thanks for the recs! I know what I'm doing today, just after I get the laundry started! :bassist:
 
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#15
My cousin grew up (his teenage years, anyway) in the Los Angeles area, Orange County, where he was obviously able to see lots of good bands.

When he got out of High School, he joined the Army (early to mid 80’s) and spent some time in Germany, where he able to see more good bands. He told me that one the better bands he saw was The Firm. As a Drummer, he enjoyed Chris Slade’s playing, aside from that, he said that Tony Franklin was the best Bassist he ever saw; that comes from a guy who was able to see a lot of good Bassists.
 
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#20
Just watched this nice little interview/hang/recording session. I like that Tony's not afraid to tell stories of his trials and tribulations learning the fretless. Sure, he's got musical background going back to 5 years old, but it's clear that his talent / skill / musicianship is in part to taking risks, owning his mistakes, and putting in the effort to improve on them.

 
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