DUSTIN FRANKS
Dustin Franks has been playing music at some capacity for about as long as he can remember. Junior high bands, solo gigs, DJ’ing, yacht rock cover bands and local gigs, what Dustin is playing may not matter as much as the simple fact that he is playing. There have been two real constants for Dustin in life: surfing and playing music. Growing up in San Clemente was the perfect place to fine-tune both. “There’s so many talented musicians in San Clemente, its known for being a surf town but there’s a lot of great musicians so it kind of goes hand in hand.”
Dustin grew up surfing with the Gudauskas Brothers, Greg Long, Mike Losness, and a seemingly endless list of world-class local talent. For much of his life surfing was the priority, Dustin wasn’t pursuing a professional career like many of his friends, but his skill level and time in the water was there. But, at just 20 years old Dustin had to have the first of what would be two heart surgeries, pulling him from the water through his recovery. That’s when the focus shifted. Laid up in bed, Dustin turned to writing music and playing guitar, and he poured everything he had into it. Music has taken Dustin far and wide, including a few summer stints in Montauk where he began DJ’ing with Mike D (yes, the Mike D). Now its back on the West Coast, where among other projects, he’s started a band with Marc Ford. Dustin still surfs and plays music with a lot of those old friends, drawing influence and inspiration all from the little hot bed of San Clemente.
