Frank Meyer talks about his debut solo album ‘Living Between the Lines’

Frank Meyer. Photo Credit: Joe Welkie.

Singer-songwriter Frank Meyer chatted about his upcoming solo album “Living Between the Lines,” which will be out on March 25th.

How did you approach the song selection process for your debut album?

I am constantly writing and recording songs in my home studio. At first, I didn’t really think too much about where the song might end up. I just get an idea, start to record and get it finished (or at least the early first draft demo).

If it’s punky or power pop, it usually ends up with my band The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs.

If it’s hard rock or metal it could go to my band Trading Aces. Or sometimes, I’m writing with a collaborator in mind like James Williamson (Iggy & The Stooges) or Eddie Spaghetti (The Supersuckers), so that might steer the creative direction a bit.

Once I decided to make a solo album, I started looking at all the bluesier, more soulful stuff that didn’t really fit into those other projects.

I wanted the sound to be rootsier than my other acts, but also very pop driven and hook-laden.I used Tom Petty as kind of my barometer as to how it should all come together in the end.

What inspires your music and songwriting?

A lot of times when I write songs I think about what kind of movie it would be. Like, is this an action flick? Is this drama? Is this a love story? With my punk and metal acts, I tend to write a lot of very visual stuff with strong words and statements.

So, lots of songs about violence, chaos, rebellion, murder, sex, drugs, paranoia, and so on. But with my upcoming solo album, Living Between The Lines, I wanted it to be more personal.

My folks had just passed away, my daughter moved away and went to college, I got married, the pandemic happened. There was a lot of crazy stuff and big life changes happening while I was writing and recording this, so I wanted to reflect that in the songs.

So, I wrote material about family (“Family Tree”), parenthood (“Baby Dynamite”), social media (“Piece Of Me”), dreams (“Dreaming In Stereo”), and death (“Dead Winter”).

It’s a very personal record. But the song I sing with Eddie Spaghetti (“Partners In Crime”) is about us robbing a bank and getting in a shootout with cops as we escape to Mexico, so don’t worry, kids, there’s still some blood and violence in there for ya!

What is your personal favorite song on the album?

I really love “Blue Radio.” I was trying to write the ultimate pop song in the style of Amy Winehouse or even Taylor Swift. Of course, since it’s me, so it still ended up sounding more like Cheap Trick, but that’s okay!

Musically, it has this ‘60s kinda soul-pop vibe, and the lyrics are an homage to classic songs like “Leader of the Pack” and “Remember Walking In The Sand.” Just pure love and tragedy. 

How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology and social media being so prevalent)

It feels the same as being an artist in the analog age except for even less money! It’s harder to make money with streaming, so you really have to tour a lot and have your merchandise game on point.

I currently play in six touring bands in order to make a living as a musician: Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, FEAR, Lee Ving’s Range War, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Trading Aces, and my solo stuff. Whew!

What do your plans for the future include?

This year I am touring with FEAR throughout the year. I’m going to Spain with Handsome Dick Manitoba of The Dictators, plus doing a Spain and U.S. tour in May to support my solo album.

Plus, the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs do a UK tour in July and some local SoCal gigs. Tour tour tour!

Which artists would you like to do a dream duet with someday?

David Lee Roth of Van Halen! That would be my dream. Other than that it would be Cherie Currie of The Runaways, but I already got her on my solo album on our song “Piece of Me,” so I’m good there.

What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)

These days, to me “success” means making a living doing what you love. I don’t care about fame. I love to play guitar, sing, write songs, and perform in front of audiences. I also love to travel and see the world.

Somewhere along the way, I figured out how to get paid enough doing that stuff that I no longer have to have a day job.

No more shitty bosses, no more cubicles, no more meetings, no more L.A. traffic every morning, no more layoffs, no more downsizing, no more corporate bullshit. That, to me, is success.

What’s the one thing you want our readers to get out of your new album?

If you dig classic rock with dashes of pop, blues and soul, you will love Living Between The Lines. The main message here is do what you want, be who you want to be, dream big, and be happy.

All these people telling you who you need to be, or who they want you to be… F**k ‘em.

To learn more about singer-songwriter Frank Meyer and his music, follow him on Instagram and visit his website.