Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes
O2 Brixton Academy
Support: Vukovi, Basement
If it was still in any doubt after his first record finally ended its run last winter, Frank Carter has surely solidified his position with tour two as one of the best frontmen working today. His performance with The Rattlesnakes at the O2 Brixton – the final show on the Modern Ruin tour – is a triumph of visceral rock ‘n’ roll. With melody and swagger, as well as the hardcore carnage Frank made his name on fronting Watford punks Gallows, tonight is a relentless release of wild-eyed animalistic energy, and a real exclamation point to close out the tour.
TLE were in the photo pit to capture the action.
On this latest run, Frank teamed up with Sailor Jerry, continuing the latest chapter in a storied history that stems well back to the father of American old school tattooing Norman “Sailor Jerry” Collins. Frank, a well-regarded tattooist himself, previously co-owned a studio in the US with famous tattoo artist Keith Underwood, the last living link to the Sailor Jerry ink.
Commenting on the Sailor Jerry partnership, Frank says, “When I first saw Sailor Jerry tattoos, it had the same impact as the first time I heard Black Flag, the first time I saw Descent From The Cross, the first time I watched Apocalypse Now; suddenly the world made more sense, and I felt like I knew more about myself than I did before.”
Body art has always been a part of Frank’s life, since day one, Frank’s pre-concert rituals have included tattooing to get in the zone.
Photos by Grant Bailey