Frank Turner has confirmed that his former band Million Dead will reunite for a series of live shows next year – 20 years after their split.
The London post-hardcore group was founded by Cameron Dean and Julia Ruzicka back in 2000, and completed by Ben Dawson and Turner. Dean announced his departure in 2004, and was replaced by Tom Fowler.
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Million Dead played their final gig in the autumn of 2005. They cited “irreconcilable differences within the band” as the reason for their break-up, saying that “it would be impossible to continue”.
They added: “We’d rather leave a good-looking corpse. Our reasons are personal and assured.”
Today (October 23), Turner – who has since enjoyed a successful solo career – shared the news that all five members of the band would be returning in 2025.
“In September 2005, the band Million Dead came to an end after playing their last show in Southampton,” he wrote on social media alongside a new Million Dead press shot and teaser video.
“In March 2024, we all met up for a beer and realised we couldn’t really remember why we broke up.”
Turner continued: “So in 2025, to mark our 20th anniversary, all five members are going to be coming back together to play a handful of shows.
“We’re pretty excited, we hope you are too. See you next year.”
In the comments section, one fan wrote: “This is bigger than Oasis.” Another said: “Never thought we’d see the day. Get your claws ready everybody.” Someone else posted: “So stoked for this 🙌❤️ remember seeing you play in my home town. Was a pivotal gig for me. Amazing news 🔥.”
Further information regarding the upcoming reunion dates has not yet been shared.
A newly-launched official Instagram account for Million Dead had previously hinted at a 2025 comeback. The page has since shared the same statement as seen on Turner’s page, following a cryptic image of a burning match (see below).
Million Dead released two studio albums together before disbanding, ‘A Song To Ruin’ (2003) and ‘Harmony No Harmony’ (2005). They were signed to indie labels Xtra Mile Recordings and Integrity Records.
Turner’s first solo record, ‘Sleep Is for The Week’, arrived in 2007 following his debut EP ‘Campfire Punkrock’.
The singer-songwriter has since made nine additional albums, his most recent being this year’s ‘Undefeated’ – which reached Number Three in the UK. He remains on the Xtra Mile roster.
Turner explained to Punk Ska Press in 2011 that he was “very proud of all the music” he had made with Million Dead. “It came to an end. The actual process of that end wasn’t very fun,” he added.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now, if I hadn’t done Million Dead before. I’m glad it happened.”
“Once the end of Million Dead rolled around, I just didn’t want to be in a band anymore. The last year of Million Dead was just murderous. Four people who want to kill each other, sat in a van driving around Europe… it’s no fun.”
Tom Fowler and Julia Ruzicka played in a band called Quiet Kill between 2005 and 2006 before appearing in Who Owns Death TV (2007–2009) and The Idle Hearts (2009).
Ben Dawson has also played drums for groups like Palehorse, Mothlite and Armed Response Unit, and previously formed a hardcore punk side-project, Mïngle Härde, with Turner and Matt Nasir from Turner’s backing band, The Sleeping Souls.
Additionally, Ruzicka has played bass with Future Of The Left. She released her debut album under the moniker This Becomes Us in 2016.
In other news, Turner’s wife Jessica Guise revealed that their marriage was “over” last month, attributing the musician’s “actions on his US tour” as the main reason.
