Southern California hardcore veteran Big Frank Harrison (Nemesis Records, Carry Nation, Goldenvoice, etc) has sadly passed away. His partner Cara broke the sad news, writing:
This is Cara, Frank’s late partner of 13 years writing to let you all know that Big Frank Harrison, beloved by many, passed peacefully in his sleep early Saturday morning.
Over the last year and a half since moving back to Sacramento he was doing what he loved: connecting with friends, enjoying shows and music, creating art and tattooing, going to conventions and collecting toys. He had a wonderful circle of friends around him.
Frank joins his beloved mother, best cat Sir, mentor Bob Roberts, Aikido teacher Dave, along with his many friends and greats who have also crossed over.
Frank was punk rock legend, tattooer, Goldenvoice stage manager, Aikido blackbelt, Reiki Master, animal lover, ocean lover, father, stepfather and more beyond words.
I had the privilege of loving Frank and that love is eternal. Together we created an animal care business, became Reiki masters and raised our children, Bella and Bug.
He would want me to say the following: in the words of Jeor Mormont from GoT “And now his watch has ended. We shall never see his likes again.” And also “PMA for the win”.
We will be sorting through his important collections and making sure things get into the right hands.
We will be building a support page to help with memorial funds. We will also be working with close friends to honor Frank’s longtime wish; to have a book of his art published. His more recent works will be showing in Sacramento on October. 12th, contact @secretkingdomtattoo for location and details.
We also will be hosting an in person memorial event in Sacramento with virtual accommodations for those who want to attend but cannot travel, location and date TBD
You can contact me directly at 707.332.4842 or @pet.loss.grief.coach I will be posting updates here.
Thank you for loving Frank.
No cause of death has been given at this time, but Frank publicly struggled with health issues over the years. As for where to begin with his many contributions to the hardcore scene, here’s an excerpt from a 2018 No Echo feature:
You would be hard-pressed to find more of a champion for the Southern California hardcore scene than Big Frank Harrison. Beginning in the early ’80s, Frank was a staple of the movement, managing Zed Records, working for live promoters Goldenvoice, playing in the band Carry Nation, and most importantly, running Nemesis Records. Born in Las Vegas and raised in Southern California, he worked tirelessly for years, helping move the hardcore scene there forward, in front and behind the scenes. These days, he’s living in Northern California where he’s a tattoo artist.
[…] When Frank was still going full-force with Nemesis Records, he dropped releases from the likes of Insted, A Chorus of Disapproval, Reason to Believe, and Vision. Shit, he even released the first Offspring album. I asked Frank if he still keeps up with the underground music scene. “I like both old and new bands, I hope I always will. In putting this comp together, I felt it was important to represent old and new bands I liked and was friends with. In the end, it became more of a who’s who of newer bands and I made some great new friends during the process.”
Tributes from around the hardcore scene have come in, including from Agnostic Front’s Roger Miret, who wrote on his Instagram story, “R.I.P Big Frank one of the most kind, fearless and amazing people I have ever met and a true West Coast Hardcore Punk Legion! This news hurts being we just recently spoke.” In a comment on Cara’s post, Roger added, “His presence, dedication and love will be eternally missed. On behalf of NYHC and our band Agnostic Front we are sending our deepest condolences.”
Rest in peace, Big Frank.