Tennessee’s own Framing Hanley is bursting back onto the scene with hot releases. It had been far too long since we chatted with the guys, so we had to hook up to talk about the new music, wrestling, and all things Framing Hanley. Framing Hanley is made up of vocalist and guitarist Kenneth Nixon, guitarist Nic Brooks, bassist Jonathan Stoye, and Matt Naff on drums. Check out what all Nixon had to say when we sat down with him.
BBE: How the hell have you guys been?
Nixon: Been great! Body seems like it’s falling apart on me at this point in my life, but I can’t complain. The whole “older and wiser” thing, right?
BBE: It has been a long 11 years since we last worked together. We have had covid and so many crazy changes in the world in this time. How has time been treating you?
Nixon: The last decade, especially the last few years, has been amazing. My kids are getting older and watching them find their own passions has been incredible. I had my first daughter in December of last year; can’t believe I almost went through life without her. And musically – musically we’re firing on all cylinders on a level you’ve never seen from FH.
BBE: I have to ask, back in 2014, Nixon said he had a dream of working with WWE. Well WWE is in an awesome new era, and we have AEW now. What do you think of the current state of wrestling?
Nixon: If you had asked me this a few years back I would’ve had a completely different answer. I think AEW has jumped the shark pretty much at this point. Some incredible talents there, but they seem more concerned about WWE than anything else. Since HHH took over in WWE I think it’s been some of the more compelling television they’ve produced in the last 20 years.
BBE: Do you currently have a favorite wrestler you’ve been loving to watch?
Nixon: So many: I wish they’d give Sami the title. Strap a rocket to that dude. He was so over with the Bloodline stuff, and they really missed the opportunity to truly capitalize there. I love the R Truth/Ron Killings storyline we were getting – hopefully that didn’t just die down. I think Logan Paul is a future world champion; dude is so good at every part of the business. I think Reigns is already on the Mt. Rushmore. I’d love to see them utilize Karrion Kross in an acceptable manner. [BBE: Yes please!] And I’m hopeful we eventually get Ospreay in WWE (and a Swerve return, too).
BBE: I see that you did a version of “Hear Me Now” with freaking Jeff Hardy! That is so awesome. How did that come together?
Nixon: Yea, man. That was incredible. Jeff was a fan of that song and we were talking about re-doing it, so it was only natural that I reached out.
BBE: Did you freak out a little? I try to play it cool, but don’t know if I fully could, haha.
Nixon: Ha, nah no freaking out. I’ve become friends with Jeff over the years. He’s come out to a handful of shows and hung out after. It was definitely still surreal to see him in the vocal booth singing lyrics that I wrote, though, ya know?
BBE: Speaking of eras though, this is 2025 and this is Framing Hanley. What does that look like to you?
Nixon: If I can sound as hyperbolic as possible while insisting that this is not hyperbole at all: no one is prepared for the music we are about to drop on ‘em.
BBE: What do you think is the biggest difference in your modern direction and where you were as a band years ago?
Nixon: I just quite frankly don’t give a fuck about pleasing anyone anymore or being something because I think it’s what people expect of me. I’m creating music that I love. The process of creating has always been my favorite part; and I’m just in my bag right now, to be real.
BBE: You released the single, “Mean It.” What made you choose that song to pop back on to the scene with?
Nixon: It just felt like “yo this has that distinct FH sound that people are accustomed to, but hints of where we’re navigating now, too.”
BBE: I think it’s a great song. How have other fans reacted to it?
Nixon: Seems the response has been pretty rad.
BBE: And this is part of the EP, Flowers. What information can you give us on the EP?
Nixon: I’m not sure if we’re going to release the EP outside of the Flowers Tour we did earlier this year. I think you can plan on hearing some new singles very soon, though.
BBE: You just got off the Flowers Tour recently. What was that tour like for you?
Nixon: Made me realize how out of shape I am haha. It was great to get out there and reconnect with old faces and meet some new people, as well.
BBE: On that tour did you play predominantly new songs off Flowers or a mixture?
Nixon: Nah, only a couple of new songs and then a good mix of every album.
BBE: With Flowers on the horizon, what are things looking like for you?
Nixon: I’m just writing, writing, writing. I want to release more music in the next couple of years than we have in the entire tenure of our band so far.
BBE: What is the best way for fans to keep up with updates?
Nixon: Instagram and Facebook, and hopefully soon I’ll be better with TikTok haha. @framinghanley everywhere.
BBE: Anything else you would like to add?
Nixon: Nah, thanks for the chat and I hope ya dig the new tunes coming.
