Frankie Teardrop doesn’t mince words. If people aren’t going to be inclusive or respectful of people’s space, they can stay away from his show.

Teardrop sees himself as privileged in getting to make and play art. At his shows, he wants his audience to feel welcome to an environment in which art and music is revered.

“When people come out, we try to promote an inclusive experience,” Teardrop said. “Instead of just standing there and playing our stupid songs and not saying anything, s… like that.”

Teardrop, along with bands Wild Firth and Hot Tang, will play at 8 p.m. today at the Mill, 120 E. Burlington St.
Described as “piss rock” and power-pop, Teardrop is influenced by such bands as Warm Soda and Joy Division, as well as New York City in the late-70s.

Teardrop, who used to live in Iowa City, is excited to visit the “transient” college town once more.

“It’s a reminder of the bunch of terrible s… I went through,” Teardrop said. “It’s nice to stop by and see how it’s changed and feel how I’ve changed in the meantime.”

Megan Buick, vocalist and bassist for Iowa City’s Hot Tang, said her favorite moment shared with the band onstage is feeling “the crushing weight of fear of failing in front of strangers.” There’s a rush of triumph from “finishing the set without vomiting on stage or crying and being in tune,” she said.

The other band, Wild Firth, will emerge from its usual concert hall of basements to take the stage at the Mill.

Will Fraiser, the lead vocalist and guitarist, created the band from a desire to have an outlet for the music he was making. He rounded up some of his best friends to play alongside him, and thus, Wild Firth was born.

“I feel like I’m trying to write music that is very, very honest and sincere,” Fraiser said.  “Maybe ‘trying’ is the wrong word; it’s more about not trying and letting the music speak for itself. There’s nothing in the way; the songs have come from a spur-of-the-moment improvisation.”

Lyrics don’t come from words, rather syllables, he said.

“There are melodies that demands certain syllables and accents, and that’s what gives the words their place,” Fraiser said. “Look at the Deerhunter; I think they found the best examples of really honest syllabic songwriting. Or Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins; she invented her own language for their songs. The lyrics are gibberish, they’re nonsense, but it means so much. It’s almost on the fifth listen that you realize what she saying, and it makes so much sense.”

MUSIC
Frankie Teardrop
When: 8 p.m. today
Where: Mill, 120 E. Burlington
Admission: $6