| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Broken Face |
Posted - 06/19/2006 : 14:25:22
Not sure if this is Pixies or FB news, but it is certainly news-worthy.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002690443
Black Bags Penning 'Pixies-Esque' Songs
June 19, 2006, 3:40 PM ET
Gary Graff, Detroit
There isn't, and may never be, any new Pixies music in the offing -- but that's not for trying, according to the group's Frank Black.
Black tells Billboard.com that about six months ago he wrote a batch of new songs for the band "in an attempt to convince one of the Pixies to make a Pixies record again. I can't say who she is," he adds with a laugh, referring, of course, to reticent bassist Kim Deal.
Ultimately, however, Black says that while he "liked how a few of [the songs] came out," the exercise showed him that his heart wasn't necessarily in it, either.
"I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-called Pixies number," he says, "but they just weren't any good. They sounded a little contrived or something. That's the problem with trying to repeat something you did a long time ago; if you go 'Okay, I'm gonna try to recreate something, tap into some mood I used years ago,' even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind of fakey."
"What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just spit out some Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really work that way," he continues. "You write the songs and they come out the way they come out. They might sound like the Pixies, but these days mostly ... not."
Black hasn't had any trouble coming up with songs -- there are 27 on the new "Fastman/Raiderman," which arrives tomorrow (June 20) via Back Porch/EMI. After a handful of European Pixies shows next month, Black will hit the road for solo acoustic headlining dates and some opening slots for the Foo Fighters.
-Brian - http://bvsrant.blogspot.com |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Levitated |
Posted - 06/28/2006 : 10:20:10
The Pixies should just play old songs that weren't performed on the last tours (b-sides included) and well, adding of course "famous" pixies songs |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 06/24/2006 : 03:39:23
Nah, Ed, that's really quite true. |
| edbanky |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 21:30:16
So here's what Frank can do: write and record an album of Frank Black songs, but never release it; then the Pixies can do a record of exact covers of all the songs.
Something that struck me about this is Frank appearing to come off as slightly inconsistent. On multiple occasions he has shown disdain for interviewers who say something like, "So, you're doing some Pixies covers/songs now in your live shows? What can we make of that?" His response has been, "They're just songs, man. They're my songs--I wrote 'em."
However, from the horse's mouth we learn that he indeed expects Pixies songs to be different, in some way, from what he's been writing.
Then, as a far too obsessive and boring fan, I realize I can defend him. See, there are a few Pixies songs that work well under the auspices of later Frank incarnations; likewise, there are plenty of Frank Black songs that would work in a Pixies setting, were the band to decide to play a few "covers" live. But Frank's lot was to write 12-20 Pixies Pixies songs; that's a notably different task.
Regardless, we will hear a good chunk of what he wrote in one form or another; we always do.
Shut up, Ed! Okay, okay.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Within us are the seeds for life or death depending on the environment we create for the Symprotit."
- Stephen Heuer |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 20:11:22
I'd still like to hear the Pixies cover songs from the Catholics much as they covered Pixies songs. They can bring Eric.
 "The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| frankblackphx |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 17:04:33
I can't imagine the songs that Frank has written for the Pixies new album can be any worse than Bam Thwok and they released that.
I am not saying I don't like it but it surely isn't what I would call a return to their hey day.
I wonder if it's the vocal melodies that is the problem he is having coming up with. Musically I think there were some songs from even the Catholics era that sounds like the Pixies musically if you had Joey, Kim & David on them. For example Bullet, Ludwidshafen & Blast Off,(& others) just the music not the vocals.
I got me so down I got me a headache. |
| jimmy |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 14:01:53
I'd like to see them record again.
I was thinking at work the other day: a good way to start would be a covers album, maybe 10 songs that they've always wanted to do, then one of the covers being the main song on an EP with 3 new original B-sides.
That might take some of the pressure off. And if they album sucks they can blame it on the original songwriters. |
| Carl |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 12:31:06
"Violet....violet!!" ;D
--------
"Leguman...Leguman!" |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/23/2006 : 07:39:54
Hahaha, after the angry response from last time, we don't even joke about that. :)
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| Skatealex1 |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 22:01:59
why do i feel like the next frankblack.net podcast has a new pixies song
The Truth Is Out There |
| see you in tea |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 15:24:58
I'm (pleasantly) surprised to find that I'm not the only person who didn't want a new Pixies album. I have nothing but respect for Charles and even Kim for calling it off. I've never been a fan of anything Kim has done outside of the Pixies, or even the Pixies songs she wrote, but I'm very well-acquainted with FB solo and with the Catholics; as such I know that he's not the same man or musician he was when the Pixies were making records.
He made the right call by being honest and saying that any new Pixies material would be contrived. If only Jello Biafra would have made the same move before he suckered the Melvins into making Sieg Howdy ;] |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 10:07:06
Haha! Moving on... |
| starmekitten |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 09:59:10
Dean if that's a euphemism I don't want to know!!
forum ebook: end of miles |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 09:35:11
I know, it makes me want to release a little news of my own...
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| Broken Face |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 09:25:28
quote:
Originally posted by edbanky
It's the mark of real spinelessness to kick someone while they voluntarily lie down for you. And these guys wonder aloud why Frank occasionally comes off as a dick to music mag types . . .
I couldn't agree more with this - FB is being honest, and people are somehow trying to turn that against him.
-Brian - http://bvsrant.blogspot.com |
| edbanky |
Posted - 06/22/2006 : 09:19:40
What sucks about this is that Frank is going to end up being smacked in the ass for something that amounts to rare candor from a prominent musician. Despite his never admitting "I can't write songs that are as good as those Pixies songs of old," they're making it seem that way.
It's the mark of real spinelessness to kick someone while they voluntarily lie down for you. And these guys wonder aloud why Frank occasionally comes off as a dick to music mag types . . .
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I wouldn't even have started the topic if I knew there were Bush Ass Kissers here as I don't even want to hear there "outrage" and comments at all because I have heard them and they are all wrong. |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 13:29:57
It's the old cliche of lazy journos trying to hype up antagonism between Frank and Kim. Frustrating to read. |
| Carl |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 11:50:02
Yeah, I'm kind of unsure about posting articles with stupid, abusive stuff in them.
http://www.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=15047240
New Pixies LP Not To Be
Jun 20, 2006
Story by: Kevin Kampwirth
For a band whose recording career lasted only a bit over five years, the
space that the Pixies occupy in the upper echelon of indie-rock demigods
just goes to show what an amazing band can do given the right set of
circumstances. This is never more evident than when said amazing band
reunites years later, tours and attempts to release an album of new
material only to realize that what they once had was in every way a
byproduct of a time and place that is impossible to recreate. So goes the
story of the Pixies who, as lead singer Frank Black just announced, have
given up on trying to write new Pixies songs for a widely rumored, yet
wholly unrealized sixth studio effort.
Black has reported writing several songs at the beginning of 2006 in an
attempt to lure bassist Kim Deal into making another Pixies album.
The results were less than encouraging. "I tried to find my Pixies muse and
write a so-called Pixies number but they weren't any good," Black said.
"They sounded a little contrived or something. That's the problem with
trying to repeat something you did a long time ago." Both Black and Deal
have kept busy with their own solo projects. Black, just yesterday,
released Fast Man Raider Man, a neo-Americana effort in the same vein as
his 2005 release Honeycomb. Whether or not the classic line-up of Black,
Deal, guitarist Joey Santiago and drummer David Lovering will ever again
enter the studio remains to be seen, but, for now, it doesn't seem likely.
"What can I say?" Black said. "Sometimes I wish I could just spit out some
Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really work that way. You write the
songs and they come out the way they come out. They might sound like
the Pixies, but these days mostly…not."
www.pixiesmusic.com
http://www.pr-inside.com/black-dumps-fake-pixies-songs-r8891.htm
BLACK DUMPS 'FAKE' PIXIES SONGS
Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network
(www.wenn.com)
2006-06-21 19:04:48 -
Singer FRANK BLACK has scrapped the new songs he has written for his reformed band the PIXIES, because he
was unable to recreate the magic of their heyday.
Black wrote a selection of tunes in a bid to convince bassist KIM DEAL to agree to record their first album together
since 1991.
But the DEBASER star quickly realised the material
was a pale imitation of his 1980s cult classics.
He says, "I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-
called Pixies number but they weren't any good.
"They sounded a little contrived or something. That's
the problem with trying to repeat something you did a
long time ago; if you go, 'Okay, I'm gonna try to
recreate something, tap into some mood I used years
ago.' Even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind of
fakey." "What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just
spit out some Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really
work that way. You write the songs and they come out
the way they come out. They might sound like the
Pixies, but these days mostly... not." |
| IceManCometh |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 10:56:52
Some of these articles are plain unprofessional, as COF pointed out. What kind of way is that to write about someone? Disturbing. And mean-spirited as well. |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 10:36:42
Can't write for shit? Look who's talking. This particular "article" is conjecture, bitterness, and a shining example of why children shouldn't be allowed to practice journalism.
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| Carl |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 10:09:56
http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=6736
Pixies Scrap New Songs
Jun 21, 2006
The Pixies are going to have to settle for being a nostalgia act.
Front man Frank Black told Billboard that he’d attempted to pen a new set of tunes for his
reunited outfit, but couldn’t convince the band that they were good enough to put to tape.
That won’t stop The Pixies, who reunited in 2004 to appear at Coachella (read Aversion’s
review), from hitting the road. The act has a handful of European dates scheduled for July.
After that, Black will hit the road with his acoustic guitar for a solo tour (read full story).
http://www.drownedinsound.com/content/view/935149
Failed on Black days: Pixies man can't write for
shit
Artists: Pixies
Frank Black, lead tubby in the not-so-recently reformed
Pixies, has told Billboard thast he can't seem to write
songs for the band anymore.
Since their 2004 reformation only two 'new' tracks have
been performed by the Pixies, while Black has been busy
writing many a tune for his own solo projects. He said:
"I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-called Pixies
number but they weren't any good. They sounded a little
contrived or something. That's the problem with trying to
repeat something you did a long time ago; if you go, 'Okay, I'm gonna try to recreate
something, tap into some mood I used years ago', even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind
of fakey.
"What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just spit out some Pixies-esque songs, but it
doesn't really work that way. You write the songs and they come out the way they come out.
They might sound like the Pixies, but these days mostly... not."
Black apparently tried to get bassist Kim Deal to help out on the songwriting front, but
the one-time Breeder refused to participate.
 |
| matthew |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 09:44:37
quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Not releasing crap under pressure for a new album/more money is artistic integrity, but not releasing good songs because they don't sound quite like the old days or you're worried about taking a risk with your rep. is neither art nor integrity.[/i]
I totally agree. Why does it need to sound like the old stuff? And what exactly does the old stuff sound like? It's not like all the albums were the same...
|
| a guy in a rover |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 04:29:42
This is exactly what I said/hoped would happen.
A pig or a goat well, they wouldn’t let you be mistreated
|
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 20:48:18
Agreed.
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| floop |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 19:50:35
quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
Yeah, exactly. I think maybe they didn't fit the Pixies mold, but probably if he let them go and they turn out however they do, then there's no reason it couldn't end up on a project with EDF.
true. that's true. he's recycled songs many times before.
i doubt that any songs on FMRM could be any of the said pixies-intended tunes though
"I don't have any money to buy new clothes and if they paid me to get some I'd probably buy more hoodies." - Mark Wainfur |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 19:34:55
quote:
Originally posted by cassandra is
that's a happy-sad news... It's great he doesn't want to repeat himself or recreate this sound just to recreate it, that's honest but... I don't know... something in my heart was hoping for a new album I guess...
pas de bras pas de chocolat
yea i was hoping for a reunion too, but it doesn't seem to be working out for them personally as a band so i am glad they are admitting to that and not putting themselves through hell to put out another alb. maybe some of that bad karma works for some bands when creating music (ramones) but personally, i have got to give frank and kim (and joey and dave) credit for saying hey, we're not on the same page. if we put something out now, it won't be right. maybe it will be right someday, but now it's not right. also if fb brings those tunes to fans w/out the pixies, i say, the fans would really like to hear them if FB wants fans to hear them. |
| Cult_Of_Frank |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 15:03:57
What does this have to do with 'artistic integrity'? Read on to find out...
Not releasing crap under pressure for a new album/more money is artistic integrity, but not releasing good songs because they don't sound quite like the old days or you're worried about taking a risk with your rep. is neither art nor integrity.
I guess it depends how you look at it and whether the songs were good or not, which means none of us are really in a position to judge either way...
So, in answer to my initial question, it MAY be integrity. But we don't know.
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." |
| Carl |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 15:03:07
Couple of other sites quoting the BB story:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/06/20/comic_carell_is_now_a_cover_boy/
Don't hold your breath for
a new Pixies disc. Frank Black tells Billboard.com he's written a
batch of new stuff for the Boston-bred band but that the songs
``sounded a little contrived." Black admits he sometimes wishes he
could ``just spit out some Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really
work that way. . . . You write the songs and they come out the way
they come out. They might sound like the Pixies, but these days
mostly not."
http://www.nme.com/news/pixies/23387
Pixies abandon new songs
Frank Black calls them 'kind of fakey'
Pixies leader Frank Black has admitted he tried
and failed to write new songs for the much-mooted
new Pixies album.
The band reformed in 2004, but only released two
new songs - 'Bam Thwok', a Kim Deal penned
number that was only available through iTunes, and
'Ain't That Pretty At All' for a Warren Zevon
tribute album.
Black said that about six months ago he penned a
number of songs for the band "in an attempt to
convince one of the Pixies to make a Pixies record
again. I can't say who she is," Black told Billboard
in reference to bassist Kim Deal.
He said while he liked the end result of some of the
songs at the same time he wasn't entirely
convinced.
"I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-called
Pixies number but they weren't any good. They
sounded a little contrived or something. That's the
problem with trying to repeat something you did a
long time ago; if you go 'Okay, I'm gonna try to
recreate something, tap into some mood I used
years ago', even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind
of fakey."
"What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just spit
out some Pixies-esque songs, but it doesn't really
work that way. You write the songs and they come
out the way they come out. They might sound like
the Pixies, but these days mostly...not."
As previously reported by NME.COM the band will
embark on a European tour next month.
Pixies tour will call at:
Trencin Pohoda (July 14)
St Polten Nuke (15)
Zagreb Salata (16)
Toulon Voix de Gaou (19)
Lisbon Atlantico (20)
Benicassim Festival (21)
Carhaix Les Veilles Charrues (23)
http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2006/06/2007.cfm
Don't Lose Any Sleep Waiting For New
Pixies Songs
Tuesday June 20, 2006 @ 06:00 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff
Frank Black wrote a number of songs for
The Pixies six months back as part of the
band's ongoing two-year reunion, but wasn't
totally satisfied with the results — which
means that the Boston group's impressive
recorded legacy will probably be all that
we'll ever have.
Black told Billboard.com that he wrote the
songs "in an attempt to convince one of the
Pixies to make a Pixies record again.
"I can't say who she is," Black added slyly. Unless David Lovering
or Joey Santiago had some kind of surgery that we're unaware of,
he was obviously referring to Kim Deal.
While Black liked some of the songs he wrote for the group, he
wasn't knocked out by them and didn't think that they were a great fit.
"I tried to find my Pixies muse and write a so-called Pixies number,
but they just weren't any good," he said.
"They sounded a little contrived or something. That's the problem
with trying to repeat something you did a long time ago. If you go,
'OK, I'm gonna try to recreate something, tap into some mood I used
years ago,' even if it's the same songwriter, it's kind of fakey.
"What can I say? Sometimes I wish I could just spit out some Pixies-
esque songs, but it doesn't really work that way. You write the songs
and they come out the way they come out. They might sound like the
Pixies, but these days mostly… not."
It's not as if the prolific artist is suffering from writer's block or
anything. His new Fastman/Raiderman solo album, which came out
Tuesday via Back Porch/EMI, features 27 songs.
The Pixies will play some European shows next month and Black
will then return to North America to play some solo acousticshows
both as a headliner and opening for the Foo Fighters. Black will
open for the Foos on August 23 at Toronto's Hummingbird Centre.
The Pixies
Also reported at German site Whiskey Soda:
http://www.whiskey-soda.de/news.php?id=14509 |
| Wee Mac |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 14:30:41
Artistic Integrity - at least some artists still have it (Kim by the sound of it).
FMRM has taken a backseat for me - watched Later with Jools Holland on Friday whilst 3 sheets to the wind, which meant I was in the perfect state of mind to appreciate one of the bands he had on - Gogol Bordello - Pixies fans should love 'em.
Check 'em out. Feckin brilliant. |
| marcus4realius |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 09:11:49
Dear Frank.
Maybe it's time for a break.
Spend some money, help your kids grow up in this f*ed up world.
The rock will be around, even if you never get around to it.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
"This is a weird story. President Bush has apologized today for scolding a member of the White House press corps for wearing sunglasses because he found out the reporter is legally blind. ... Bush also apologized for telling physicist Stephen Hawking `to get off your lazy ass.'"
---Conan O'Brien |
| kotvana |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 04:25:00
i bet some of these songs (if not all of them) found their way into CD 2 of FMRM, which is a true masterpiece. i can hardly listen to cd 1, but i can listen to cd 2 all day (not just second half, even "kiss ma ring" got the "right" (wrong) energy), it's just so perfect! and if he had the "power of Pixies" playing these songs... ohhhaaaaaawaaaa. a shame really. and why "cd 2" and not making just one cd with perfect songs? the tragedy is that since Pixies broke up he really can't tell what is good and what is bad and how you can make the gold shines more..
|
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 03:39:07
Interesting but not so surprising, imo.
Thanks Brian.
-----
 blackolero le only Frank Black / Pixies site 100% in français |
| cassandra is |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 03:20:27
yeah, but the Pixies have already done their own "White Album", their "Abbey Road", their "Sgt. Pepper" and their "Revolver"...
pas de bras pas de chocolat |
| Grotesque |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 02:30:56
Haa..
But why didn't they follow Santiago's advice: Frank does what he does and the pixies make it sound pixies. If it is totally diferent from what they've done, there won't be any comparaison possible, like asking wich is the best beetween With the beatles and Abbey Road.
But maybe anyway Kim Deal doesn't want to play any country. That's true she really got more faithfull to the indie sound: the breeders "Title TK" sounds more alternative rock than ever, AND it's produced by Albini (very good album, by the way).
Like David Byrne saying in 99 "I don't know anymore what is a Rock song", Franck Black has mutated into a completly diferent animal... But that's all the fun of pop history: surprises and evolutions! I wouldn't care about a pixies album that actually sounds like the old pixies.
If the Kinks were just the "You Really Got Me" sound, they wouldn't be such a great band.
Let the Pixies do their "Village Green Preservation Society" !!! |
| cassandra is |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 00:47:10
that's a happy-sad news... It's great he doesn't want to repeat himself or recreate this sound just to recreate it, that's honest but... I don't know... something in my heart was hoping for a new album I guess...
pas de bras pas de chocolat |
| Ziggy |
Posted - 06/20/2006 : 00:33:12
Yeah, it's pretty admirable. I hope he doesn't worry to much, there was a nice quote about a year ago wheer he said that Joey had told him just to write songs, and that the other band members would "make them sound like Pixies songs". |
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