Thank God she’s doing her own thing: Frankie Rose at Schubas

text by Rose Blanton | photos by Adam Oles

If looking just at her appearance it might feel like you’ve been waiting for a Riot Grrl to come out but then you’re pleasantly jolted by a much more jangly, sweet rhythmic sound in likeness of The Cure or The Cranberries. The Cranberries reference is especially noticeable in the vocals, feminine and churning, like Celtic mysticism. Frankie Rose definitely has a thing for the brits as well. Her music is an amalgamation of hi-f tunes and melancholic lyrics.

Rose does an incredible job fronting her band.  She is humorous on stage and constantly giving props to her fellow band mates. Making little quips about mood lighting to the staff or asking the crowd if they want a “scary one” before launching into “Street of Dreams”. She really seems like a lady you could grab a beer and just shoot the breeze with. Not to mention cheek bones that could cut glass. She also manages a Warrior Goddess-like cry in many songs. It’s fantastic to see a bubbly personality on stage that can also delivers quality music.

During her show on Monday Rose was debuting a drummer. This was his second live show with the band. He didn’t miss a beat (literally) and unless Rose had said anything we all would have been none the wiser.  The Cure ethos is wildly present live.  It was a lovely little thing that everyone in the crowd noticed and silently mentioned to themselves. But it seemed a little insulting to the band when during every pause between songs some ambitious ‘fan’ in the back yelled out tracks off Disintegration. Rose brushed it off with a final “ I always forget the words.”

In the past four years Rose has jumped from band to band (The Dum Dum Girls and The Vivian Girls) and has always been the outstanding member, perhaps held back. I think with her solo project she’s able to truly create the kind of music she’s been wanting to. She’s lively, gregarious, and going 100 miles per hour in her mind. Her past projects have been lo-fidelity and slouchy and now Rose is taking the opposite course with her band. Going solo was the best thing Rose has ever done for her career.

Every moment of Rose’s show was bursting with musicianship and corresponding frivolity (but frivolity in the best manner). Go see her now, if you can.