Adam Franklin 'Bolts of Melody' album

Adam Franklin spent the 1990s as singer, guitarist and main songwriter for London-based Swervedriver, the genre-breaching Creation Records rock’n’roll band. Certainly the group’s heavy melodies incorporated traces of The Stooges, The Velvet Underground, Husker Du and Sonic Youth, but it never fit conveniently into a singular genre. Although placed into the “shoegaze” category by virtue of association with labelmates My Bloody Valentine and Ride, the band carved their own sonic path. Today, Adam is set to release his debut solo record, another step forward into Swervedriver territory, with acoustic/electric guitars and electric keyboards. Franklin’s collaboration with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, Setting Suns is in the works.

Biography
Swervedriver’s live shows were known for being loud and hypnotic with soaring, hook-laden tunes about UFOs and driving through the desert in the middle of the night. As one fan put it “Swervedriver was one of those few bands that could stop time when they were on stage.”

Since Swervedriver “went into orbit” in 1999, Franklin has taken in a number of different stylings on releases under the name Toshack Highway. At times instrumental, at other times electronic and atmospheric, Toshack Highway fulfilled Franklin’s desire to delve into music that hadn’t been explored in his tenure with his previous band.

Today, Adam is set to release his debut solo record called Bolts of Melody, a return to a more guitar/song driven sound. While Toshack Highway embraced the atmospheric side, Adam’s newest work is another step forward into Swervedriver territory, with acoustic/electric guitars and electric keyboards.

Sometimes, it’s a much more back-to-basics affair — just Franklin on his own playing simple melodic pop songs accompanied by the warm glow of the compression of the tape machine. It’s at moments just the beating heart of Swervedriver while other times, a seemingly lost Swervedriver track complete with layered guitars and Adam’s signature vocal styling.

In addition to his debut solo record, Adam Franklin’s collaboration with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino, Setting Suns is in the works.

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Adam Franklin - Bolts of Melody