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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
 Posted - 10/12/2002 : 13:33:58
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http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/09/202154.php
Jesus? where did they find these fans to ask him questions? the most stupid annoying questions I've ever read, nearly every one mentioning the Pixies. Frank keeps his cool for the first half, then clearly gets a little flustered. Where were we when they were looking for questions? |
Edited by - El Barto on 03/23/2003 22:42:54 |
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Visiting Sasquatch
= Cult of Ray =
USA
451 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2002 : 14:14:26
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| Yea, I hate it when it seems everyone in the world knows about these internet chats, and I get to read about it later on, only to be pissed at the wasted questions "fans" bothered asking. Oh, and I HATE music critics too. For that matter, all music journals are a waste of time, reading and writing. Go out and listen to music, and make your own opinions. I'm not mad, really. |
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2002 : 21:18:32
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why the hell do people like us never know about these fan interviews. i hope frank atleast realizes that the people posting on this board are a better representation of his true fan base then the people in these interviews
-miked |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2002 : 23:55:24
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[Just so we have a copy of this archived here. DN]
The Blogcritics Frank Black Interview Is Here!
Frank Black has not one, but two impressive new CDs out: Devil's Workshop and Black Letter Days, which continue his movement toward heavily-strummed classic roots rock, without losing his eccentric vision or indelible ambiance.
We enlisted the aid of Blogcritics.com contributors and readers in our pursuit of the perfect Frank Black interview. The result is before you, my friends.
Eric Olsen: You have used changes in time signature throughout your songwriting career, often in the form of foreshortening at the end of a phrase. The effect for me is to propel the song forward - what is your intended effect or affect?
Frank Black: I have no intention. The weirder the time signature is generally speaking, the least self-conscious I've been about it. I find that 4/4 just gets in
my way sometimes.
Amber Nussbaum: If you could ban one musical instrument from existence, what would it be and why?
FB: Hmmm. Kind of an evil question, but I'll try. Double-necked guitars for sure.
AN: If you could decry any band that's playing music today, who would it be and why?
FB: Oh, gee. You want me to be mean? I just can't. Maybe in a private conversation, but not here. I've made casual but negative comments before about other artists, and have always regretted it. Let it sufffice to say that there are oh so many bands that are decried behind closed doors.
AN: Hey, what can I say. I figure you guys have got "Who are your biggest influences?" covered.
FB: Did I mention Leon Russell?
Shawn: I know you've been asked about Pixies reunions in every interview since 1992 and you general response is "I don't think so" but how about a David Lovering (sans magic), Joey Santiago, Frank Black tour? You can call yourselves "Pixie"
FB: Oh the reviewers will love that. I prefer to let the Pixies live where they are in the past.
Shawn: Or how about a Mike Watt, Frank Black, J. Mascis ubergroup?
FB: More like an uberunderdog group. Do I qualify for uber?I was just asked about joining an ubergroup. It's a secret for now.
David: Why release two albums concurrently this year rather than merging two very good albums' content into one great, unforgettable album?
FB: What are you saying? Which songs don't you like?
Scott Rosenberg: "The St. Francis Dam Disaster" (from Dog in the Sand) is elemental and moving. It feels like a folk song that was written 100 years ago, and I know it's based on a real-life event -- the bursting of a dam north of L.A. in the early years of the 20th century. Can you tell us how you came to write the song?
FB: It was a grey and windy day.... Scott and Dave had been trying to get me to put lyrics on that one for years. Lyrics are, you know, about stuff.
SR: You've been recording for several years now with a stripped down, live-to-4-track (or is it 2 track?) technique. How does that work? Why do you like it?
FB: We record live to stereo or mono (2 or 1 track). I like many things about live recording, but I suppose the challenge of capturing performance is more pleasurable that constructing a facsimile of live performance.
Shannon: I just attended a wedding over the weekend where the jukebox was filled with Frank Black and Pixies CDs. I perform what I like to call "Pixies primal scream therapy" in my car when I'm stressed. Why do you think your music strikes such a chord with those of us who were complete music junkies from a very early age? Do you see your music as cathartic, too?
FB: Well, I'm glad you got your money's worth. Lots of music has cathartic qualities, of course.
Dawn Olsen: Some of the Pixies songs have violent imagery that are both comforting and frightening. For example "Gouge Away." Do you think of angry things when you write your songs? Is it cathartic to do so?
FB: "Gouge Away" is a telling of Samson and Delilah. It's a story that has anger. Do I purge via a song? I don't know. I suppose it's possible.
DO: Also - what if any chance is there of a reunion tour with new Pixies material? P.S. I love Teenager of the Year
FB: Sure there's a chance. Know any promoters that want to do a show on the moon? P.S. Thanks.
Matt Welch: I was lucky enough to run into Frank Black once, and I asked him this one over beers, but it might be interesting to see how he responds in a public forum: So, uh, how do & did you feel about the whole Nirvana-biting-the-Pixies'-rhymes deal? What do you think they did different with the "Pixies concept" of song construction?
FB: I guess I'm not sure what you're talking about.
Ken Layne: All those UFO references ... are the UFOs still a factor?
FB: What UFO references? There may be a couple, but far fewer than rock journalists have led you to believe.
KL: Llano. Did you get that from Mike Davis' "City of Quartz" or find it driving around? Either way, that's a great goddamned song.
FB: Yeah, I read about it in the Davis book. But the fact is I'd been driving through Llano for years and not realized the significance until I read the book.
KL: You made one of the best-produced, best-sounding records in rock history (Doolittle). Was moving to live recording a way to keep people from demanding another Doolittle?
FB: No not at all. Doolittle is Doolittle. There will never be another Doolittle.
KL: How does it work out, releasing stuff on the Internet? Does it make the crowds bigger when you play live with the Catholics, or help sales of CDs at clubs?
FB: I'm not sure. It may be in the future that the internet really affects the business. I think right now the reality is that it does help a little but not a lot.
KL: The conventional wisdom says everybody who bought a Pixies record started a band. If so, why are there so many crappy bands making records today? (Usual exceptions excepted: Strokes, Hives, White Stripes, all that stuff heralded today.)
FB: Well, I think that it's just not that simple.
KL: I love the rootsy stuff you've done in the last couple of years. But some snarky critics say rootsy music is a bad way to go. How dumb are they? And how would you put your recording arc next to, say, Bob Dylan's?
FB: They are very dumb. Boy that felt good. But the truth is that critics are by definition critical. That's their job. If people don't like rootsy music, or if they feel that only certain people should make rootsy music, well, then I can't deny someone an opinion. Bob Dylan is quite a songwriter, and a great singer and musician. I won't bother with comparing myself to him, but I will say that I heard his records at a very young age and I still listen to all his records.
KL: I'm typing these goofy questions because my pal Eric is doing a great thing with this Blogcritics site. How useless is it to have a songwriter/musician talk about his/her work?
FB: I'm not sure I quite understand your position. Would you rather be skateboarding or something?
KL: I had a column about crazy UFO stuff in the San Francisco Chronicle last week, and a reader caught me describing Montana cattle killings as a "wave of mutilation." Yet I didn't realize I was quoting a song at the time. Can I sue you for subliminal attacks?
FB: You have a very odd way of connecting things. I don't understand why you feel there needs to be litigation.
Guy Nolan: I remember reading an interview recently where you said jokingly that you might ressurect The Pixies if it was just you and Joey Santiago. Everyone knows you have 'mixed' feelings towards Kim Deal, but what if it was just you, Joe and David Lovering with a new bass guitarist? It wouldn't be perfect but I'm sure the patrons would be willing to compromise, and David's opened for you before. So any chance?
FB: You have no idea what my feelings are towards Kim Deal, or anybody else for that matter. You should never rely on interviews with musicians as being factual. Most of them are mangled and even have made up stuff in them, that is to say, made up stuff by the writer or editor. I wonder how mangled this one is going to turn out... [none, Frank, none]
GN: You gave up the Black Francis trademark scream when you gave up the Pixies. No disrespect, but a few years have passed. Can you still scream it like you hate that bitch?
FB: Does it matter?
GN: You used the bridge section from the original version of "Subbacultcha" to make a whole new song on Trompe Le Monde. That kinda strikes me as cheating, were you running out of ideas towards the end?
FB: Why is that cheating? I can do whatever I want with my own songs for corn's sake. The "original" version as you say is the one that got published on Trompe Le Monde. What you hear on the purple tape (released this past July) is a previously unpublished version of the song. If you feel cheated beause you purchased two songs of mine that happen to feature an overlapped chorus (not a bridge) then feel free to patronize another artist. As far as running out if ideas is concerned, that's for you, my darling critic, to decide on your own.
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 00:05:55
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I must say - i love Frank. He's so fucking direct.
If he were a cereal, he'd be Allbran or something..
- Dave |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 06:36:22
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quote:
FB: More like an uberunderdog group. Do I qualify for uber? I was just asked about joining an ubergroup. It's a secret for now.
secrets from us? 
"It's the Nexus of the Crisis"
BÖCswu |
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 08:00:25
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quote:
KL: I'm typing these goofy questions because my pal Eric is doing a great thing with this Blogcritics site. How useless is it to have a songwriter/musician talk about his/her work?
FB: I'm not sure I quite understand your position. Would you rather be skateboarding or something?
hahaha thats great
-miked |
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Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -
United Kingdom
1733 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 09:07:01
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GN: You used the bridge section from the original version of "Subbacultcha" to make a whole new song on Trompe Le Monde. That kinda strikes me as cheating, were you running out of ideas towards the end?
FB: Why is that cheating? I can do whatever I want with my own songs for corn's sake. The "original" version as you say is the one that got published on Trompe Le Monde. What you hear on the purple tape (released this past July) is a previously unpublished version of the song. If you feel cheated beause you purchased two songs of mine that happen to feature an overlapped chorus (not a bridge) then feel free to patronize another artist. As far as running out if ideas is concerned, that's for you, my darling critic, to decide on your own.
Poor Frank. I love the 'overlapped chorus' rebuke. Next time Frankus, get the forum to ask the questions!
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 12:05:48
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| Yeah, i guess Frank was running out of ideas, i mean, if he made D=RT and Subba into one song, then he'd only have 14 songs on that album |
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 12:26:07
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its much better as two songs anyway
-miked |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 13:43:26
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Yeah, you know musicians are spent when they start repeating songs. Look at Neil Young with 'Out of the Blue' and 'Into the Black'...has he written anything original since?
;)
- Dave |
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matto
= Cult of Ray =
USA
954 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 15:32:51
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i love it when fans give fans a bad name. wait, i mean i don't.
hmm, me too, i don't think before i speak..
spem in alium |
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 15:52:26
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what about Let's Roll, WHAT ABOUT IT DAVE??!? haha
-miked |
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OliverK
- FB Fan -
43 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 16:28:10
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| That interview makes me want to forget that the internet exists. |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 10/13/2002 : 17:46:39
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What the fuck is the internet?
"It's the Nexus of the Crisis"
BÖCswu |
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guy_nolan
= Cult of Ray =
United Kingdom
417 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2002 : 14:04:39
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Okay, okay so i'm posting this reply while waving a white flag. I am Guy Nolan and I would like to hang my head in shame and apolgise to everyone on this forum for asking Frank those questions. What can I say, I was in a pretty pesimistic mood and I was writing my questions at about 1am. (I know the interview shows another time but I'm in England, GMT) I kinda felt a little guilty soon after posting the questions, but I never thought my questions would offend the great man so much. So you all know, I forwarded an apology to Frank through the moderator of the interview. I honestly am a massive Pixies fan and a big Frank fan too and I understand it probably looked otherwise. :( Once again sorry guys. Feel free to e-mail me hate mail if you think I really deserve it.
On another note, you guys seem to be complaining about not finding the interview earlier. All I do is search yahoo for 'Frank Black' every few days or so letting me keep up with stuff like that. Sorry everyone missed it.
Your darling critic |
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1140 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2002 : 15:16:55
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we still love you
-miked |
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SSMT
- FB Fan -
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2002 : 17:50:32
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Hmmm...on my last couple of Frank Black reviews, I have deliberately tried to not mention the Pixies. He's been Frank Black longer than he ever was Black Francis and frankly (ha ha, I kill me), I prefer him as Frank Black. If I were to interview (which I won't, cuz I hate doing interviews) him, I'd not even bother asking anything about the Pixies. However, Pere Ubu questions are a different story.
John
Satan Stole My Teddybear
http://www.chedsey.com
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Chip Away Boy
= Cult of Ray =
914 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2002 : 12:45:38
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| wow frank carries himself like a champ |
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Visiting Sasquatch
= Cult of Ray =
USA
451 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2002 : 13:01:40
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| I reread that blog, and I realized I missed the secret ubergroup comment, until Thomas quoted it. Now I'm totally intrigued...I wonder who's involved with Frank's secret ubergroup, and if it's gonna happen at all, or if it's just an internet rumour. Reading between the lines is hard! Say, online blogs have a useful function in society after all! |
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Thomas
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1615 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2002 : 14:27:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Visiting Sasquatch
I wonder who's involved with Frank's secret ubergroup, and if it's gonna happen at all, or if it's just an internet rumour.
Hell, He's due for a band change at this rate:
5 Pixies
3 Frank Blacks
5 Catholics
insert next band name and # of cd's here
"It's the Nexus of the Crisis"
BÖCswu |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2002 : 09:16:01
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| I was thinking the exact same thing the other day although I'd like to see him carry on with the Catholics for a little while longer... saying that I would have said the same thing before he made the chances before. I guess Franks a little unpredictable, apart from the fact that he makes great albums on a consistent basis. |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2002 : 21:47:25
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Well, he just released two albums at once..maybe they really only count as one?
- Dave |
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zanni67
= Bio Elf =
643 Posts |
Posted - 10/27/2002 : 04:26:58
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NO, NO, NO... he cannot change anything!!! That would be too sad...
I love them just the way they are, and hope they stay that way for awhile longer.
Zan
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wepeel
- FB Fan -
USA
86 Posts |
Posted - 11/03/2002 : 16:40:14
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quote:
Originally posted by SSMT
He's been Frank Black longer than he ever was Black Francis and frankly (ha ha, I kill me), I prefer him as Frank Black.
haha i laughed way too hard when i read that.
anyway, about that interview...
=wepeel |
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
895 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2002 : 10:28:18
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i have to admit that the interview was pretty funny....
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
548 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2002 : 13:14:44
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| I think it was a pretty funny interview as well... as for this Ubergroup I hear it's going to be David Lee Roth, the singer From Weetus and Getti Lee. One word kids Accupela[sic?]... remeber you heard this rumour -with absolutely no basis in fact- here first. |
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BrendanT
= Cult of Ray =
Canada
907 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2002 : 18:20:39
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I don't think we should classify all of the questioners as fans. Some of the comments are ridiculous....I wouldn't want to answer those questions on behalf of Frank, and I would be making half the shit up....as I am sure he is driven to doing!
Strummer-man
I had me a vision!
I bid a good-day to you sir! |
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos
Canada
4496 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2002 : 20:41:15
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And of course, people tend to say stupid things when they're nervous.
FRANK!! FRANK!!!! WHAT'S YOUR MIDDLE NAME?????
;) |
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =
USA
2677 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2002 : 07:34:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Thomas
[quote]Originally posted by Visiting Sasquatch
I wonder who's involved with Frank's secret ubergroup, and if it's gonna happen at all, or if it's just an internet rumour.
I'm betting that the ubergroup to which Frank refers is the amalgamation of avant garage heroes that will be participating in David Thomas' (Pere Ubu) Disastodrome in February. It's a three-day festival at UCLA. Frank will be performing solo on the first day and on the second day he'll play a role in David's musical Mirror Man along with Linda Thompson, Van Dyke Parks and many others. So, it's not just an ubergroup--it's an Ubugroup! More info available here:
http://www.projex.net/disasto.html |
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