| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 03:12:12
http://blackolero.blogspot.com
For those who don't know yet, Mr. Carter is Charles' new drummer (and, by the way, a very nice guy).
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First of all Jason, can you introduce yourself to our readers? If we are to believe your MySpace page, you are much more than a gifted drummer: a real Jack-of-all-trades...
Thanks for the compliment. My full name is Jason Carter, I'm a drummer by trade, but I also own a recording studio and production company called Wavelength. I've been a drummer since an early age mostly playing jazz, but this rock n' roll thing with my band Guards of Metropolis and now Charles Thompson has kinda taken over. I have a dog, a wife, enjoy smoking clove cigarettes, eating red vine licorice and flying airplanes. Someday I have this dream of become the worlds oldest cargo pilot and flying for some noble cause in a far away country.
How did your collaboration with Charles Thompson come about?
I first met Charles Thompson through my band mate Charles Normal at a Larry Norman concert. We were both backing up Larry and C.T. was invited by Normal to guest perform at the show. The collaboration for Bluefinger came about with a phone call from Mark Lemhouse. He asked If I'd play drums on some songs for a demo project he was working on with C.T. The demo turned into a full length album which became Bluefinger.
You told us, before this interview, that most songs on Bluefinger had been recorded in one or two takes (in the "Catholics" way). Did you enjoy the experience and what did you gain from it? Was it the first time you worked that way?
It wasn't the first time I've worked that way. I've recorded many albums using the one or two take approach, but Bluefinger was different in that we did it on-the-fly with little or no rehearsal. C.T. had some rough music structures that he scribbled out and the songs just fell into place once we started tracking. I love C.T's approach to recording....it's inspiring. It's like "shoot from the hip" rebel cowboy style!
Can you tell us where and when the record was cut, and how long it took? Were all the players in the studio at the same time?
January, 2007. Most of the tracks were cut at Sprout City Studios in Eugene, Oregon and some over-dubs were recorded at my studio, Wavelength, in Salem, Oregon. The album was mixed at Wavelength and Planet of Sound in Connecticut.
Bluefinger is a peculiar record in Charles' discography, in that it represents both a return to the Pixies style of songwriting and to the Catholics sound, without being a carbon copy of any of those; it is raw and spontaneous, and then, of course, it's Black Francis' first solo album... How did Charles introduce the project to you? Did you get the feeling that it was particularly important to him?
At first I was told that were we recording demos. After the first day in the studio, C.T. told me he wanted to turn the session into a full length album project....so we did. That's when he mentioned the Herman Brood inspired Bluefinger title and concept. The mood in the studio was super up-beat and positive. We all enjoyed recording this record immensely. I have relatives in Holland who are "Bluefingers" from the town of Zwolle, so the project hit close to home for me. Important to him?.....Yes.
What kind of "boss" is Charles? Rather cool and trusting? Precise and demanding?...
Cool and focused....the man is a genius. He set the framework and let us do our thing.
Who plays bass on Bluefinger? We only know his first name, "Dan"...
Dan Schmidt [Schmid] from the "Cherry Poppin' Daddies".
And who is the "Mark" who's credited for producing the record? Is that Mark Lemhouse?
Yes. The guy is a gifted songwriter...look him up.
Bluefinger is chock full with gems, but general agreement puts Threshold Apprehension above the lot. Do you share this opinion? Do other songs particularly appeal to you, either as a musician or as a listener?
Personally, I wouldn't put Threshold Apprehension ABOVE the lot. It's the most "commercially accessible" of the bunch. The entire record has a beautiful edgy rawness to it.....I love ALL the tracks both from a musician and listeners point of view. When you record on an album it's hard to be objective about it sometimes. Bluefinger has it's own personality that only C.T. could create....yet it captures the persona of Herman Brood.
Have you any idea what led Charles to publish this record under his Pixies-era name, instead of the “Frank Black”? Is it true that (as many fans surmise) he intended these songs, or at least most of them, for the Pixies?
I don't know.
In a news item dated August 1st, 2006, the Guards of Metropolis website mentions a mysterious project including yourself and the other members of your band, but also Mark Lemhouse, and legendary Christian rocker Larry Norman. Is this still on? Is this project linked in any way to Bluefinger?
The project is not linked to Bluefinger. Yes, the mysterious project is still on.....and continues to be a mystery for a little longer:)
Do you have any other projects with Charles?
Yes, but I probably shouldn't let the cat out of the bag.
Can you confirm that you will play on the upcoming Euro tour?
Yes.
According to some rumours, Joey Santiago could appear on this tour... Is that true or false ?
False. Charles Normal will be playing guitar.
(many thanks to Jediroller and Ray la Manta  ) |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Carl |
Posted - 06/05/2007 : 02:14:03
He should do an album with Frank called 'Jason Carter Of Mars'. |
| johnnyribcage |
Posted - 06/04/2007 : 19:02:40
They should do a cover of "My Heart Will Go On"
I love this part... Yeah, we did it! |
| Born to Lose |
Posted - 05/29/2007 : 08:34:05
They should do a cover of "zoot suit riot" |
| Daisy Girl |
Posted - 05/25/2007 : 14:50:07
Great interview... was it done via email? I was just wondering because of the :) in one of Jason's answers.
bluefinger |
| fbc |
Posted - 05/25/2007 : 13:39:40
When's Blackolero going to turn into a fully fledged Black loving website? |
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 05/25/2007 : 13:36:46
Sure, but through my cigarette-stained beard my love rings true.
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BLACKOLERO le only Frank Black / Pixies site 100% in français |
| coastline |
Posted - 05/25/2007 : 13:20:47
It's probably just because you always stink of piss, Fitsy.
 Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 05/25/2007 : 10:25:37
quote:
Originally posted by Carl
Fitsy
I just noticed this 
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BLACKOLERO le only Frank Black / Pixies site 100% in français |
| misterwoe |
Posted - 05/24/2007 : 06:43:30
I wish I had the patience to figure out some of those bass lines. They're gggggrrrreat!!!
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns. |
| Apesy |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 22:46:29
Wait, wait, wait...
Bassist is from the Cherry fuckin' Poppin' Daddies?!
Have to admit the dude is totally awesome, though. The bass playing is one of Bluefinger's strongest elements.
Also, I'm surprised to learn this was recorded in the States. Frank's messages seemed to imply it was actually being cut in Amsterdam.
-=Apesy |
| Grotesque |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 14:15:46
quote:
Originally posted by Frog in the Sand
I've been a drummer since an early age mostly playing jazz
I knew it! Every rock musician should play tricky styles at first so they're capable of anything later. So did EDF and Tepper! (Beefheart stuff isquite tricky.) |
| johnnyribcage |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 13:22:44
Gnarly
I love this part... Yeah, we did it! |
| benji |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 12:26:30
thanks for the fabulous interview.
questions are very interesting and some great insight...
great work!
all i can say, thank god for polio! brian |
| billgoodman |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 12:22:42
Very good interview Ray La Manta!
This is the 3rd record in Charles live when demos turned out to be real records
(Come on Pilgrim, FB and The C's as the former too). Actually I think a lot on Christmass
were demos as well.
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BF: Mag ik Engels spreken? |
| Frog in the Sand |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 11:30:17
The questions were conceived by FITS aka Ray la Manta aka myself, then translated into English by Jediroller, who also translated the answers.
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BLACKOLERO le only Frank Black / Pixies site 100% in français |
| coastline |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 11:00:55
Outstanding interview, and lots of good information. Who asked the questions?
Please pardon me, for these my wrongs. |
| misterwoe |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 10:57:34
Nice.
I'll be by the pool, playing with my guns. |
| Carl |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 09:30:39
Thanks for translating/posting that, Fitsy! |
| fbc |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 09:06:52
(i don't mean to be a hypocrite; athiest, you see) God bless Blackolero!! King of the News.
quote:
In a news item dated August 1st, 2006, the Guards of Metropolis website mentions a mysterious project including yourself and the other members of your band, but also Mark Lemhouse, and legendary Christian rocker Larry Norman. Is this still on? Is this project linked in any way to Bluefinger?
GREAT QUESTION, GUYS. |
| OLDMANOTY |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 04:25:07
Thanks for that, really interesting.
Godspeed |
| Sprite |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 04:02:56
Great interview - looking forward to seeing what the cat looks like. |
| Czar |
Posted - 05/23/2007 : 03:46:53
Gee... and he translated it as well. You're the King, mon gars.
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Do you think the Pixies were a brouillon of Black Francis? |
