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bballarl
- FB Fan -

2 Posts

Posted - 06/17/2003 :  21:26:02  Show Profile
Why wont Frank Black reunite for just one tour with the Pixies? I love his music and their music and would kill to see them...Its too bad I was 5 when they broke up....

[MOVED...This is about the Pixies, right?]

Edited by - El Barto on 06/18/2003 14:00:04

bballarl
- FB Fan -

2 Posts

Posted - 06/17/2003 :  21:34:12  Show Profile
........because his music has made an impact on me since I discovered them, but I'll never be able to see them live. Frank Black and the Catholics rule, of course.
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Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =

Australia
345 Posts

Posted - 06/17/2003 :  23:45:39  Show Profile  Visit Sheamus's Homepage  Click to see Sheamus's MSN Messenger address
If you get too upset about it you can always rest assured in the knowledge that you're not a starving kid in Africa ^_^
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ingersoll
- FB Fan -

USA
85 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  05:13:35  Show Profile
because frank's music has gotten better since disbanding the pixies. and because kim deal is the leader of a very successful band. and because the pixies never really moved units anyway (so there's no corporate pressure).

before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. that way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =

USA
299 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  06:20:28  Show Profile
Because, as Sir Paul McCartney once said (when asked that same irritating question about a band he used to be in), "You cannot re-heat a souffle."
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =

USA
299 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  06:37:56  Show Profile
... And I thought about this more. I missed the Soft Boys when they existed in 1980, and wished and wished they would reunite, just for one stinkin' tour. Oh, yeah, Robyn Hitchcock regularly included people like Morris Windsor and Andy in his solo/touring band, the Egyptians (starting to see the parallels?!?!?) but never did he set foot on stage with Kimberly Rew, with whom, legend had it, he had "irreconcilable differences". (sheesh, even the NAMES are similar!!!). Finally, in 2001, for the 21st anniversary of the release of one of my desert island albums, Underwater Moonlight (mastered and repackaged wonderfully for CD by Matador, btw, highly recommended) the Soft Boys reunited, with Robyn and Kimberly looking quite comfortable with each other indeed.

Yes, I finally got to see the Soft Boys. Yes, I will rave about any time I get to see Robyn Hitchcock, and yes it is very difficult to write these next few words.....

... It blew.

And the album they did together after all these years, "Nextdoorland" blew too. Actually, husband was won over by the Soft Boys in concert and mentioned "OK, now I see what the big deal is" as we left and was inspired to listen more, but as somebody who survived the 80s with the help of Moonlight, I went home vaguely unsatisfied. (OK, Nextdoorland is better than 80 percent of the dreck out there today, but by Robyn Hitchcock standards, it blows.) As I quoted Sir Paul, you cannot reheat a souffle.
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therewererumours
* Dog in the Sand *

Ireland
1240 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  07:23:21  Show Profile  Visit therewererumours's Homepage
Look for the April Fools thread in Here Comes Your Man on this for lots of heated debate.

"I meet a man with no little toe and a real big head"
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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  07:26:40  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by blackpurse

Because, as Sir Paul McCartney once said (when asked that same irritating question about a band he used to be in), "You cannot re-heat a souffle."



Since these guys are personal favorites of FB, I thought I should mention that I just saw the reformed original lineup of X the other night (with guitarist Billy Zoom back in the group).

They were INCREDIBLE. They played with an energy that easily rivaled that of their heyday (1978-1985). They looked, sounded, and most of all, seemed just as they were. It was like I was stepping back in time. They only played material of the early albums that Billy helped with, and they I can't imagine the show I witnessed was much different from those back in tiny Los Angeles dives at the dawn of that town's nascent punk scene - save for the obviously more reverent vibe going on with the crowd.

That said, my girlfriend and I pondered aloud on the long drive home (3 hours), about the actual dynamic of such a reformed group. While it was rumored this short USA tour was a warm-up for an upcoming studio album of new material, it was most defintely a sop to the faithful. They played for only 55 minutes (including an encore), but every second was raging full-on. They tore through something like 25 songs.

Still, we wondered, what was going through their minds as they take this nostalgic roadshow around the country? Yes, they're still kicking ass, unlike many other once-visionary bands who lazily reform just to trot out their hits and cash in one last time, but what kind of murky water is under their collective bridge?

They've been through various chemical dependancy problems, and they - like the Pixies - have always been more famous than financially successful. If every band that name checked either of those bands had actually bought one of their records instead of copying a friend's, all the members of both groups (including the ones who didn't have much of a hand in the songwriting royalties) would have much more of a pot to piss in.

Plus, they know they're legends of a sort to thousands of devoted acolytes, which must make even getting up there in front of those folks a daunting task. They know they're going to instantly be compared to thier former selves, through the hazy frosted window glass of youth's fond memories.

That's gotta suck.

X fared very well, but how would the Pixies? And is it even worth it to any of them to find out? Why risk the unavoidable bad reviews and shitty wisecracks from jaded rock writers who were pissed they never got around to seeing the band the first time around, and now have to pay for overpriced tickets to a much-hyped "Hello Again/Goodbye For Good" tour?

A few nights after the X show, I scoured the internet for any information on Billy Zoom, the enigmatic and tight-lipped guitar wizard who has laid lower than any of the other bandmembers during his time away from the band. He was always much older and more jaded than the rest of them, and has since devoted himself primarily to customizing tube amps and repairing/designing analog guitar gear.

I found a rare interview with notoriously evasive and media-shy musician from a few years ago when X tested the waters of reformation by recording a Doors cover for the X-Files movie soundtrack.

He answered a lot of me and my girlfriend's questions about motivations and reflections, when he candidly admitted that he received no particular pleasure from playing with the band anymore, and that he despised their management. He even had his own go-between to deal with the band's agent because he didn't want to speak with him during negotiations.

However, he realized that people like the music that linup made, and he knew that getting back with them was the only way he could ever quickly generate a substantial amount of cash to put into his guitar amp business and new Christian rock music. Plus, he wants to generate interest in young bands hiring him as a producer, and without the face time a reunion like this would give hiim, people won't even think of him anymore, let alone track him down and offer him work.

For him it was just like stocking cans on a shelf at Wal-Mart. A menial job and nothing more, albeit one that causes lots of folks to ask for his autograph and take his picture.

Scenarios like this are probably all too common in the world of popular music. I applaud the Pixies for avoiding them like the plague.

They gave us their time, their creativity and their talent. They made a few wonderful and (possibly) timeless records. They played some great live gigs, and a few that sucked big time.

As much as it would be nice to see them materialize like X and take everybody on a time warp back to 1989, they don't seem to want or need the validation.

They were a REAL BAND. Now they're REAL GONE. And at least publicly, they seem REALLY OK with that.

That's the way it should stay.

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =

USA
299 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  07:52:19  Show Profile
You know, I was a huge X fan too, (still am!) but I think you hit on it here. Let's face it, nobody in X really did anything musically post-breakup that was noteworthy. Oh, yeah, Exene did some poetry stuff with Lydia Lunch and others, and her albums aren't bad, and John did some interesting stuff as well (and some notable acting appearances), but nothing to shout about. As opposed to the members of the Pixies or other legends (my soft boys reference) -- who moved on and made quite interesting and noteworthy music on their own. They've moved on musically. What would be the point. It would be like going back to an old job you quit. Yuck.
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Mike Rutherford
- FB Fan -

USA
171 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  08:12:00  Show Profile  Click to see Mike Rutherford's MSN Messenger address
I don't think I like a single Pixies album as much as any of the Frank solo records. I've always enjoyed Frank solo much more. Each Pixies album is hit/miss with me. Surfer Rosa seems to be the most consistent for me (however, reading through the "survivor" threads, most of my favorites were voted off very early....how in the hell "Im Amazed" got voted off before the embarassing "Tony's Theme" is beyond me, but oh well....).....

But anyways, I hope the Pixies never reform. Frank generally plays some Pixies songs in his set (seems to be the only reason some people even bother going to his shows which is a shame....I notice a lot of college kids that just sit at the bar and drink until he breaks out "Monkey Gone To Heaven" and then they try to fight their way up front to sing along)....I like what Frank is doing with the Catholics much more than what he did with the Pixies. Same goes for a record like "Teenager Of the Year"...nothing the Pixies did even comes close to the magnitude of that record IMO.

...Oh, and that X tour is coming through my town next week I think. I'll have to go and check that out. Glad to hear that they still "have it" to some degree.
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Perhaps
- FB Fan -

133 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  08:32:55  Show Profile
I don't know if anyone knows they will NEVER reunite. The Velvet Underground reunited after some-20 years, despite Lou Reed's vehement unwillingness to do so.

Even if the Pixies do reunite; I am not sure it would be any better than a Catholics show. Frank does much less screaming now and it suits him perfect. It seems like a Pixies show would be much more contrived than what goes on now. He is just doing his thing, and that stuff is not his thing right now.

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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

USA
5454 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  09:01:09  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by blackpurse

You know, I was a huge X fan too, (still am!) but I think you hit on it here. Let's face it, nobody in X really did anything musically post-breakup that was noteworthy.



I liked The Knitters, but maybe that was before the breakup and it wasn't a huge departure from the music of X.

I love X. They deserve to be legends, but most of it is adrenline filled "youth" music. A soundtrack for stomping, jumping, and overthrowing the MAN. I think that contributes to making an X reunion seem dated or inappropriate.
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bazza
* Dog in the Sand *

Ireland
1439 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  09:15:07  Show Profile
i will admit that i love it when FB plays pixies songs now (although i guess i am in the minority) - it kinda makes me think what it would be like if the band reformed.

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PsychicTwin
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1772 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  09:22:52  Show Profile  Visit PsychicTwin's Homepage
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Rutherford

how in the hell "Im Amazed" got voted off before the embarassing "Tony's Theme" is beyond me, but oh well....)



Yeah, its beyond me too! I was pretty flabergasted when that happened.
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Steak n Sabre
* Dog in the Sand *

Uzbekistan
1013 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  12:04:35  Show Profile  Visit Steak n Sabre's Homepage
Why have the old band get together? The Catholics are much better musicians, and they play the old stuff live anyway. It's not like seeing the Pixies was a visual extravaganza that is sorely missed.
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =

USA
899 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  12:55:24  Show Profile  Visit Chris Knight's Homepage
quote:
Originally posted by bballarl

Why wont Frank Black reunite for just one tour with the Pixies? I love his music and their music and would kill to see them...Its too bad I was 5 when they broke up....


Philosophical debates aside, here's a practical "solution"- get a video bootleg. EBay has 'em, and some bootleggers will perform 2-for-1 trades (2 blank tapes for bootleg). I hope that helps.

Edited by - Chris Knight on 06/18/2003 12:56:34
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =

USA
4020 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  13:59:36  Show Profile  Visit El Barto's Homepage
A Pixies reunion would be nothing more than a circus sideshow...like, hey, let's get grandma and grandpa together and go down and see The Pixies play all their old hits! No thank you. From The Pixies came two excellent bands who I'd rather settle with than see some traveling Pixies jukebox (I have a BIG THING against "traveling jukebox" bands such as current touring Beach Boys and The Doors, etc...I have nothing against Brian Wilson, though, because it's him with an entirely different band).
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <

South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  18:54:04  Show Profile
This reminds me of Julian Cope's answer when asked if he'd reunite The Teardrop Explodes:
-Would you ever do another Teardrop Explodes gig? (Jakey)
-Julian: Would you ever return to having your mother wipe your asshole?
(http://www.headheritage.co.uk/drude/qa/cope_music.php)

I've got a feeling Frank probably has a similar feeling about the Pixies.
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =

Mexico
15297 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  20:00:08  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Perhaps

I don't know if anyone knows they will NEVER reunite. The Velvet Underground reunited after some-20 years, despite Lou Reed's vehement unwillingness to do so.



but the Velvet Underground reuniting sucked. just like The Sex Pistols reunion sucked and just about every other reuniting has sucked.

i think the only re-united band that has toured and equalled what they used to be (or at least what i imagine them to have been) is DEVO.

that's right, DEVO baby!

i saw them about 5 years ago and it was amazing.. (but then, i never saw them in the early 70's since i was probably still in diapers when their first album came out)..

Edited by - floop on 06/18/2003 20:02:32
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =

Mexico
15297 Posts

Posted - 06/18/2003 :  20:11:03  Show Profile
i saw X last year and agree that they rocked.. but i wasn't blown away or anything. they at least make the cut of bands that it's cool if they "get back together"..

i also saw Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros at the same venue (this festival thing) which was a huge highlight.. though he has a new band and new music (like Brian Wilson), i have to say hearing him play old Clash tunes (from the first record.. like Garageland and Police and Thieves) was pretty amazing.

rest his soul..


one band that should stop playing music (did they ever break up?) is the Violent Femmes. maybe not stop playing music, but stop touring and playing Violent Femmes songs.

i think if i hear Blister In The Sun one more time in my life my ears will start blistering..
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Omer
= Cult of Ray =

275 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  01:22:38  Show Profile
In my opinion, the only reunion I know of that was even a moderate success artistically was TELEVISION. I saw a gig in 2001, and it was an interesting experience, quite clearly not a rehash of old standards. It was not a complete success, but they did try.

Other reunions? The Who still rock. I saw a concert in late 2000 when John Entwistle was still with us, and yeah, they can rock. They have good songs and they play their instruments well, and Pete and Roge still jump around enthusiastically. I'm glad I went. But that was it. It was not Rock'n'roll, it was a reenactment. Everyone was pretending they were in 1973.

The Pistols were successful, because they could actually play their instruments this time. But they were nothing more than a good rock band. Given that they were giants in the past, they were remarkably toothless now.

This leaves us with - The Velvet Underground. Perharps the most controvertial or questionable reunion. Some parts of it were truly magical. But other parts were pathetic. Overall, I guess it was more positive then nagative. The Velvets didn't disgrace themselves, and it was not an unsuitable code or epilogue for the best ever rock band.

The Pixies should NOT reunite.

But if they will, I'll be there.

BTW, Peter - that was an incredible bit of writing:-)
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Sheamus
= Cult of Ray =

Australia
345 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  03:03:55  Show Profile  Visit Sheamus's Homepage  Click to see Sheamus's MSN Messenger address
I'm going to dispute all this "Frank Black solo is better than the Pixies" stuff. I really like Frank Black, he is one of my favourite artists. In my opinion though, nothing beats the Pixies. of course, this is my opinion - I'm not making a judgement on who is "better" because it would be impossible to, given that the enjoyment one gains out of a particular piece of music is subjective for everyone in the world. So, proclaimations such as the ones made by various forum members here that Frank Black's solo stuff is "easily better" are both wrong and stupid.

Personally, I like every Pixies album better than any Frank Black stuff. Out of the Frank Black stuff, I like his first two albums the best. I think Cult of Ray is a steaming pile of turd with only a few decent songs.

I quite like the Catholics stuff, but they simply don't compare to any of the Pixies stuff in my opinion. It's a totally different style of music anyway, so any personal prefence as to which is better: Pixies or FB and the Catholics isn't really stating what bands is "better". It is stating what style of music you prefer out of two completely different styles.
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vilainde
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Niue
7441 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  05:00:42  Show Profile  Visit vilainde's Homepage
Blondie's come back was OK, I think. Well I didn't have the chance to go to ont of their concerts but the album wasn't that bad. By the way, they have a new album coming out this autumn. I wonder how it'll be.


Denis
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mergzez7
- FB Fan -

France
166 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  13:38:49  Show Profile  Click to see mergzez7's MSN Messenger address
What if a Pixies reunion were disapointing? That would be the end of the myth. And look what happened to Joe Strummer when he played with Mick Jones again for the first time since The Clash split up. He died a few weeks later. They were not to play together again. It's no good trying to make new stuff with old stuff, it can only be worse.

zez
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =

USA
4020 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  14:39:17  Show Profile  Visit El Barto's Homepage
Well you know, since someone brought up the "20 years later" VU reunion, I do remember FB saying he would reunite if he/someone needed a hip replaced or some crazy expensive surgery...on that note, human bodies don't get any better as they age...so hey, maybe he'll need a hip replaced in 10 years!
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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  14:40:26  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by floop

quote:
Originally posted by Perhaps

I don't know if anyone knows they will NEVER reunite. The Velvet Underground reunited after some-20 years, despite Lou Reed's vehement unwillingness to do so.



but the Velvet Underground reuniting sucked.



The VU thing was a wonderful idea that could have been an amazing opportunity to set things straight on both a musical and personal level between the original bandmembers. Unfortunately, it wound up being a tremendous disappointment to all concerned.

Lou Reed and his massive ego essentially hijacked and sabotaged the project. By the time they were actually on tour, everyone had begun to feel like they were part of his backing band as opposed to members of a team.

He insisted they open for U2 in stadiums (gee, how many great bands has this idiot maneuver killed?) because he convinced them it would increase their fanbase, when all it was really designed to do was to stroke his buddy Bono's massive ego by having one of the most moldbreaking and historically-important rock groups in the world (and some of his idols) actually warm up for his macho bullshit.

Then he refused to even attempt to sing the songs the way there were written, opting for his "Set The Twilight Reeling" voice, meaning hardly ever on pitch or in time with the music.

Moe and Sterling wanted to do low-key shows in large clubs and small theatres, as opposed to big halls and stadiums. They wanted to show folks in 1993 what made them so legendary in 1968. The Velvets were one of the best bar bands in the history of Western music.

They were never meant to be seen or heard in a fucking sports arena.

Then Lou turned down the headlining slot at Lollapalooza, which was probably a good idea, but made a hell of a lot more sense than the U2 thing, plus it got them onto U.S. shores.

Then he fucked up the band's biggest chance at making good on the promise of their reunion, when he told them the only way he'd allow them to do MTV Unplugged, was if he got to be the sole producer of the accompanying album, something he had previously agreed not to ask for when they were first considering reforming.

The fact that he not only went back on his word, but blackmailed them over the biggest and most lucrative offer of their careers was the final straw. They blew apart amidst rude faxes and angry phone conversations, with hardly any money to show from their tour and hardly any fans who were satisfied with the subsequent live CD or concert video.

What a shame.

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  14:42:37  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by floop

one band that should stop playing music (did they ever break up?) is the Violent Femmes. maybe not stop playing music, but stop touring and playing Violent Femmes songs.

i think if i hear Blister In The Sun one more time in my life my ears will start blistering..



Wanna hear something funny?

The Violent Femmes haven't put out an album in years, and they currently get a minimum of $25,000 for an 80 minute show.

However, lead singer Gordon Gano's got a solo LP out now with both Lou Reed and Frank Black singing lead vocals among other luminaries.

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  14:47:52  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Omer

In my opinion, the only reunion I know of that was even a moderate success artistically was TELEVISION. I saw a gig in 2001, and it was an interesting experience, quite clearly not a rehash of old standards. It was not a complete success, but they did try.

BTW, Peter - that was an incredible bit of writing:-)




Thanks for the compliment.

I saw Television on their first proper reunion tour (according to a mutual friend of Tom Verlaine's I was lucky enough to see the show the band considered the best night of the USA dates), and have actively collected bootlegs of several other shows from that and their subsequent reunions.

From what I can tell, except for a couple of rough shows in 2001 (which were one-offs with seemingly little rehearsal), almost every time they played since getting back together has been magical and impressive.

In my opinon, they, X, Pylon, Mission of Burma and Roxy Music have pulled off some of the most artistically successful and worthwhile reunions of any groups from the alt/punk/glam/new wave eras.

p.s. Wanna hear some prime examples of the Television shows? Send me a CD-R tradelist...

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  14:52:57  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by PsychicTwin

quote:
Originally posted by Mike Rutherford

how in the hell "Im Amazed" got voted off before the embarassing "Tony's Theme" is beyond me, but oh well....)



Yeah, its beyond me too! I was pretty flabergasted when that happened.



I've never tried to play those Survivor games because I've never watched that show and don't understand how they work. However, if you're saying that "Tony's Theme" is somehow a sub-standard track, I defy you!

That's a great song. One of my all-time favorites. Terrific. Primo. A true zenith. Super-good.

It's great, I tell you!

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =

Canada
3581 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  15:24:06  Show Profile
I'm with Senor Radiator on this one, Tony's Theme is magnifique. To deride any song on Surfer Rosa is blasphemy, it's all brilliant. Who can't relate to being a child superhero? I know I was. I rode around on my bicycle like a pony. No baloney! Great song. Simple lyrics, fast pace, totally evokes memories of childhood summer fun. TOH!!! NAY!!!!
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =

USA
891 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  17:25:18  Show Profile
Yeah, I don't understand Violent Femmes. I saw them on Conan not long ago..and what did they play? Blister in the Sun. Kind of sad. That's an example of someone who went the exact opposite of where Frank went with the Pixies.
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =

Mexico
15297 Posts

Posted - 06/19/2003 :  19:42:01  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by peter radiator

quote:
Originally posted by floop

one band that should stop playing music (did they ever break up?) is the Violent Femmes. maybe not stop playing music, but stop touring and playing Violent Femmes songs.

i think if i hear Blister In The Sun one more time in my life my ears will start blistering..



Wanna hear something funny?

The Violent Femmes haven't put out an album in years, and they currently get a minimum of $25,000 for an 80 minute show.

However, lead singer Gordon Gano's got a solo LP out now with both Lou Reed and Frank Black singing lead vocals among other luminaries.

~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder



yeah, i got to see Frank perform with Gano at the Troubadour last year (there's a thread and pictures somewhere on here).. Frank and Dave P. opened.. and it seemed pretty clear that most of the crowd was there to see Frank because it cleared out pretty quickly after Frank's set.

i've got nothing against Gano and some of his solo stuff sounded alright.. it's just, like Itchload said, kind of pathetic.. i mean, going on Conan and playing Blister In The Sun?

i don't think we'll see Frank playing Here Come's Your Man on TV anytime soon.
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blackpurse
= Cult of Ray =

USA
299 Posts

Posted - 06/20/2003 :  05:09:35  Show Profile
quote:
Originally posted by Itchload

Yeah, I don't understand Violent Femmes. I saw them on Conan not long ago..and what did they play? Blister in the Sun. Kind of sad. That's an example of someone who went the exact opposite of where Frank went with the Pixies.



Living in Milwaukee, it gets really pathetic. They're still treated like gods here, at "Summerfest" they still play the amphetheater (a stadium sized joint where steaknsabre and I will be seeing Peter Gabriel next week...), and its like they're Milwaukee's one shot at coolness that we never want to let go of. We have a terrificly amazingly good underground scene here that you'll never hear about because we have such little civic pride (the Femmes themselves were ignored until out-of-towners like Chrissie Hynde blessed them) and it seems that once you hit it, you don't want to experiment or mess with a successful formula. Really a shame -- we could turn people on to a vibrant, creative underground, but the mainstream here isn't interested in anything but "Blister in the Sun.". Plus, on a karmic level, the patheticness is something the Femmes deserve. The nicest guy in the bunch, Victor DeLorenzo, was kicked out (which was a blessing for him, he's doing fun and infinitely more interesting stuff locally without that femme albatross around his neck) apparantely because he wasn't hip enough.

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peter radiator
= Cult of Ray =

USA
653 Posts

Posted - 06/20/2003 :  11:39:56  Show Profile
quote:
[i]
Plus, on a karmic level, the patheticness is something the Femmes deserve. The nicest guy in the bunch, Victor DeLorenzo, was kicked out (which was a blessing for him, he's doing fun and infinitely more interesting stuff locally without that femme albatross around his neck) apparantely because he wasn't hip enough.



I met and hung with Victor a bit back in 1995, and found him in that short while to be one of the most down-to-earth and friendly "well-known rock guys" I've come across.

He seems to have a pretty sterling rep, and he's a great percussionist. he told me at the time that he just couldn't go on anymore with The Femmes, that it felt like he was wearing a costume. I haven't heard much of his solo stuff, but he had just begun to work on it at the time and was very excited at the prospect of doing his own thing.

Try to track down Moe Tucker's solo CD "I Spent A Week There The Other Night". Her backing band on that GREAT album includes Victor, Don Fleming, Thurston Moore, Sonny Vincent, and all the other founding members of the Velvets.


~ Peter Radiator

"Real music is out there and real people are making it." ~ Webb Wilder
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blarg007
= Cult of Ray =

USA
493 Posts

Posted - 06/20/2003 :  12:29:59  Show Profile
the buzzcocks absolutely scorch on stage
-and i first saw them at reunion in '92
(caberet metro chicago)they are opening for pearljam
this summer

R
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blarg007
= Cult of Ray =

USA
493 Posts

Posted - 06/20/2003 :  12:32:22  Show Profile
addendum: buzzcocks OPEN A show for PJ
-i don't know if they are touring together

R
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