| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
 Posted - 09/09/2003 : 02:34:14
|
HAs this been posted already? Jim/Dave please lock or delete if so:
Frank Black talks to Virgin Megastores Online about his new album, Show Me Your Tears.
18 July 2003
Boston, 1986. On his return from a six-month stay in Puerto Rico, a young student called Charles Thompson decided to form a rock band. He persuaded his roommate Joey Santiago to join him, but they still needed a bassist and a drummer, so they recruited two other musicians, Kim Deal and David Lovering. Shortly after, they recorded their debut single unaware that they were about to change indie rock history. They called themselves the Pixies.
Fast-forward to 2003 and this very same man is sitting opposite me in the reception of a busy north London hotel, chatting excitedly about his six months in Puerto Rico, where he went before all the 'craziness' to learn Spanish.
It has been ten years since the band that became a symbol for a generation decided to call it a day, but the interest is still huge. However, Frank Black doesn't seem bothered about that period of his life. “It has been a while since the Pixies are no longer but I am aware of the influence we had for many, so it's only natural that I still have to talk about it. It also subsidies my current career and for that I'm grateful,” he admits.
Over the last few months there has been talk of a possible Pixies' reunion and tour. “There is a remote possibility, but there always has been. I've changed from being really negative about it to be just vague. I'm tired of coming off as a negative person,” he explains. “I am still in touch with the guys and we get together as friends, and do jams, but right now there's no hidden agenda.”
Charles Thompson, through both his musical incarnations Black Francis and Frank Black, has already gained his place in the rock music history books. “It's still the same old challenge for me to make music. It's my little way of being God. When I'm writing music there's nothing, no universe, just me, God. And I'm here and now I will create something,” he says.
“I make music regardless of whether it's fashionable. Even with the Pixies, we became fashionable but there was no contrived effort in our part,” he continues. “I'm not much of a joiner. I like being on my own and be creative. I don't feel the need to fit in, because if I was I wouldn't be thinking about music. My brain would be full.”
Since the band split in 1993, Frank Black has enjoyed a solo career and his sound has gradually moved away from that of the Pixies. “I feel I am a better lyricist now, better at writing, better at doing something that's formulaic not cliché. Before I was more angular, abstract, even avant-garde. I'm not afraid of cliché anymore. For me to embrace cliché is a new challenge,” he claims.
Show Me Your Tears, Frank Black And The Catholics' latest work, will be released in September. “It's more sophisticated than my previous records. It has more arrangements but still has the feel of a live recording. I am heavily into Americana and country rock, so it has all these elements,” Black says of the album.
“Lately I have been listening to a lot of that, but older records more than anything. Today's Americana takes its cue from older forms of music, so you need to get to the roots of it, and listen to artists like Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, Rolling Stones and Neil Young, to name a few.
“In terms of the lyrics, I would say it's bitter sweet. I have come out of a divorce recently and have been going to therapy. The doctor told me he wasn't interested in my brain or my broken heart, he just said ''show me your tears'', so here they are. As a result the songs are more direct, not abstract at all, and very emotional, much more than I have allowed myself in the past,” he admits.
Produced by Stan Ridgway, the album features collaborations from his old band member Joey Santiago. “It's always great to work with him. I have also worked with electronic musicians The Pale Boys, whom I met through David Thomas, from Pere Ubu. They have collaborated on the track Manitoba,” he says.
“Perhaps one of my favourite tracks is Horrible Day. It's very traditional sounding, with country and rock elements. It might be sad but there is some optimism there. It's a beautiful day, it's a horrible day. I like that!” he comments.
Frank Black played a rare acoustic solo performance in London back in July. It was his first UK concert since 2001. “The audience was great, very polite. When you do acoustic gigs in bars is usually very noisy, but they all kept quiet, they were very respectful, hanging on every word and singing along.”
When we talked about live sets, he confessed that there wasn't a great deal of rehearsing involved and they left quite a lot of room for improvisation. “We don't really have arranged sets but we communicate by sign language instead. I have a special code with the drummer and I indicate which song we'll play next,” he explains.
Then he proceeded to take his hand underneath his armpit. “This is the sign for Monkey's Gone To Heaven, as soon as I do that the drummer just goes for the dum dum dum… and I do my There Was A Guy An Under Water Guy…,” he hummed. He might be just joking but I will certainly watch out for it on his next live performance.
“I will be touring the UK later on this year, in September and October, right after the release of Show Me Your Tears, and I'm telling you, there isn't a happy song in this bunch. So when you get the record just take a drink, sit back and listen.” And we'll make sure we do.
By Ana Iglesias
No man is an island, unless he is in the bath |
|
|
Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =
Australia
345 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 07:33:03
|
So they ARE jamming? Was that bit not a joke?
Thanks for posting all this stuff Ten Percenter, you're doing a great job! |
 |
|
|
ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 07:55:44
|
| Yeah, Andy, I think you deserve a snappy review poster title...but I don't know what that would be. Suggestions? |
|
|
|
mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 08:03:17
|
| It needs to be something that sounds like a tabloid. Andy deserves a sensationalistic title. "FB Tattler" or "FB Enquirer". "FB Observer," perhaps. |
|
|
|
Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 08:44:26
|
| I like, I like. I got into work this morning and saw yet more of Andy's reviews posted and thought exactly that. Some credit for bringing all these great reviews to us. |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 10:23:35
|
| How's that for now? =) |
|
|
|
ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"
USA
3988 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 10:36:45
|
Yay! Andy is the most determined enquirer I know. Take that as you will, dearest.
You rule, Dave. |
|
|
|
Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 10:39:12
|
My hat is off to 'ya, Dave.
 "Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
|
|
|
Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 11:17:26
|
| Ew..put it back Dean!!! |
|
|
|
Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2003 : 12:30:05
|
Oh come on, it's not everyday an evil guy (see my bio) tips his big top hat to 'ya!
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
|
|
|
Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2003 : 01:49:26
|
quote:
Originally posted by Dave Noisy
How's that for now? =)
FB Enquirer? I like, I like.
No man is an island, unless he is in the bath |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
