Frank has led Bay Area punk band
The Mr. T Experience since 1985, with a dozen-plus releases, and has also written three successful music-related books for teens since 2006.
We discuss “Down With the Universe” from
King Dork Approximately, the Album (2016), “Big, Strange, Beautiful Hammer” from
Yesterday Rules (2004), and “More Than Toast” from
Our Bodies Our Selves (1993). We conclude by listening to “
Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend,” a 2014 single by Dr. Frank &
the Bye-Bye Blackbirds. Opening/closing music: “Danny Partridge” from
Everyone’s Entitled to Their Own Opinion (1986). Learn more at
frankportman.com.
Here’s the current lineup of MTX playing “More than Toast” live.
Here he is doing a book tour (playing music and reading) for his first book,
King Dork.
Here’s a recent song also relating to that book, performed at a book promo event in 2016.
Here’s a full MTX set from their heyday in 1997.
Here’s that opening song, “Danny Partridge,” in full.
Here’s the original 1993 acoustic version of “Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend.”
Here’s maybe their most famous album in full, 1996’s
Love Is Dead.
Hear more Nakedly Examined Music.