In 2001, Frank Turner made a minor splash on the indie scene as the singer of hardcore punk band Million Dead. When they split four years later, Turner reinvented himself as a country-influenced singer-songwriter.

With more than 200 gigs under his belt, a new compilation album, and radio stations all over his new single, Reasons Not To Be An Idiot, the Norbiton resident is set to play an intimate show at Banquet Records.

Are you enjoying the success?

It is rewarding the hard work is paying off and it’s going to be a hectic year. I will probably do fewer shows in the UK but they will be bigger. In February, I’m off to Europe and America. Then it will be more tours. My record label also wants my next album by June. That should be out in September.

You are re-releasing Love, Ire and Reason and including a bonus CD.

I spent the past few years putting out loads of EPs and split discs, so we have put them on one bonus CD, The First Three Years, and put it in with the album.

Are you looking forward to the Banquet gig?

I have a long history with the guys at Banquet and New Slang and am living in Norbiton. They have been putting on great shows for years.

Your solo material marks a departure from your punk beginnings – why the change?

It looks like a big left turn but, in the last year of Million Dead, I stopped listening to hardcore punk and started listening to country, readying myself for what was to come. I still love hardcore but it is a limited style and any serious musician can’t stick with it.

Are you enjoying the freedom of being a solo artist?

I get the best of all worlds. I get the camaraderie of touring with my band but also dictatorial control. Million Dead was democratic and it took us forever to record a song and we hated each other by the end. Now the band chip in with ideas but 99 per cent of it is my work.

Frank Turner, Banquet Records, Kingston, January 28, 6pm, banquetrecords.com. Love, Ire and Reason is released on January 26.

Due to popular demand Frank Turner has added a new date at Banquet Records and will now also be apearing there on Thursday, January 29