Frankie + The Studs "Bimini"
Photo Credit: Rick Perez
Hollywood rockers Frankie and the Studs will drop their new single “Bimini,” and it’s a loving glam punk tribute to celebrated drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash.
“Bimini Bon Boulash was a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and I became obsessed with their style and attitude,” explained frontwoman Frankie Clarke. “I couldn’t stop walking around saying ‘Bimini Bon Boulash’, so everyone had to hear about them. I’m also really into makeup and drag in general. I love shape-shifting and using makeup and fashion to express a part of me that I wouldn’t normally. Even onstage I’ve always had a sort of persona. So, the song is kind of about that, feeling free to express yourself in any way regardless of gender conformities and not to impress anyone but yourself.”
“Bimini” was co-written with Frankie’s friend and collaborator Stewart Cararas. Through his contributions to the writing and production of Frankie and the Studs, Cararas helped guide the creative outlook of the band.
Said Frankie,
“Stewart also taught me to always ask ourselves, What would Bowie do?”
Along with the single, is a new lyric video that in contrast to the glamorous subject of the song shows lead singer Frankie doing rather mundane things around Los Angeles. Throughout the video, Frankie manages to make eating a donut seem cool and rebellious. Frankie exudes a rock and roll coolness in anything she does.
The daughter of ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke and fashion designer Daniella Clarke, Frankie was raised in the LA scene where she absorbed all the glitter and grit. Her style has led to collaborations with Forever 21 creating clothes that became must-haves for rocker chicks for festival season. Her edgy sense of style combined with her natural rockstar charisma has led to
Frankie being hailed as exciting new talent in rock and roll.
Frankie and the Studs have been skyrocketing up in the rock scene. The current band which consists of Frankie Clarke on vocals, Frank Salazar on guitar, Lizi Gionangeli on bass, and Nick Rossi on drums have been exciting crowds in the local LA club scene with rock star swagger and infectious power cords. The band has already played shows with rock legends The B-52’s, Billie Joe Armstrong, The Struts, and Glen Matlock.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the band’s debut LP set to be released this fall. The band has teased that the album will feature special guest stars. Frankie and the Studs are also going to embark on a Pacific Northwest tour in July with Bad Cop, Bad Cop. The band returns to Los Angeles on August 2ndfor a special in-store performance at Permanent Records with Forty Feet Tall.
