Franklin

Franklin is an emo, pop-punk and indie rock group from the island of Ireland. The name is also used by a separate drum and bass DJ/producer from Bournemouth, United Kingdom.

History

The band forms in 2022 and continues to be active. Their earlier catalogue is associated with four musicians from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: vocalist and guitarist Ralph Darden, guitarist Brian Sokel, bassist Roy Binnion, and drummer Greg Giuliano. Binnion later leaves and is replaced by Josh Mills.

Franklin releases a run of records between 1993 and 1999. Their sound begins in a Fugazi-influenced Washington, D.C. post-hardcore style, with political undertones and a blend of punk energy, soulful melodies and dub elements. By the late 1990s, the group shifts further towards dub and indie rock, moving from post-hardcore into bass-heavy jams and lo-fi material.

Recordings and releases

Go Kid Go appears in 1996 on the Canadian label Workshop Records. It includes nine new songs alongside the band’s earlier 7-inch and compilation tracks, making it a broad overview of their early work.

Building In A And E, released in 1997 on File 13 Records, is a seven-song EP and the first release to feature Josh Mills on bass. It is produced by Hopeton “Scientist” Brown, known for his role in dub music.

The band later signs to Tree Records, a Chicago label associated with early releases by Pinback, Urban Legends and others, as well as the Post Marked Stamps 7-inch series. Their first release for the label is the Major Taylor 7-inch, whose title track also appears on a Tree/Southern/Polyvinyl Records sampler in early 1998.

The band’s final release is the self-titled Franklin in 1999. On this record, the group fully embraces dub while alternating between rhythm-heavy passages and energetic indie rock. Tracks mentioned include “They Attack” and “Inventor Of Loud.”

After Franklin

After the band breaks up in the early 2000s, Ralph Darden founds Jai-Alai Savant, which releases an EP and an LP before going on hiatus. He also DJs in Chicago under the name Major Taylor. Atom And His Package writes a song about him called “Happy Birthday Ralph.”

Brian Sokel later starts the experimental indie-pop duo AM/FM, which is also now defunct.