Frankie Clarke is an amazing punk musician from Los Angeles, fronting Frankie and the Studs. I was introduced to Frankie by her father after I toured with him in November 2024. Frankie and the Studs were playing two shows in Edinburgh and Italy and would be stopping off in London for a few days, which is where I met them.

We wouldn’t have much time, so I suggested a chilled shoot that was more of a chance to hang out and get to know each other. I met Frankie and guitarist Frank in Camden, which we realised none of us had visited for over a decade. It’s changed a lot since I first went there in 2004!

We had a look around the market (and Frank bought a snazzy hat!) and I couldn’t resist photographing them rifling through the vinyl records. A record shop can be a dream location for a shoot. We then moved to the famous steps where The Clash were photographed for their 1977 debut album. It may be a rock n’ roll cliche, but cliches exist for a reason.

I decided to frame this shot differently, to give it its own identity. You wouldn’t necessarily realise these are “The Clash Steps” but it’s an easter egg if you do. Before we parted I had to get a few shots in the iconic Piccadilly Circus. London is full of landmarks, but nothing screams London to me more than a lit up Underground sign.

Hopefully it’s not long before Frankie and the Studs come back to play their new album Life’s a Glitch. Would LOVE to shoot them live!

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FRANKIE CLARKE | CANDID+PORTRAIT | LONDON, 2024