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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =

USA
925 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  11:29:43  Show Profile  Visit Atheist4Catholics's Homepage
It's my first time, so be gentle . .
I've seen Frank twice now (last week at Pearl St and at Irving Plaza during the "Dog" tour), and both times he seemed like he didn't want to be there. I've heard he likes touring, but he always seems so grumpy on stage. Is it humility? Is it shyness? Or maybe it's that Miles Davis thing where you don't feel the need to play up the crowd, so you don't? Don't get me wrong, the shows were amazing, but his on stage persona seems different than anything I've seen in interviews.

Edited by - El Barto on 03/23/2003 22:08:13

theonecontender
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
565 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  11:57:33  Show Profile  Visit theonecontender's Homepage
I have to agree with that statement. Frank needs to lighten up a bit.
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Ten Percenter
- FB Enquirer -

United Kingdom
1733 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  12:35:21  Show Profile
he's much more cheery than some. I saw the Fall about 6 times and MArk E Smith looked at the audience with complete disdain at times. The last time I saw Frank he was in a great mood
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =

Mexico
15297 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  13:17:48  Show Profile
sometimes he's like that but almost just as often (as i'm sure many here can attest) he's TOTALLY jokey and chatty.. usually at the smaller shows.. i can't tell you how many shoes i've been at where he's sat there and rambled on about the most random, funny anecdotes..

but then at most of the shows i saw in March of this year, they were pretty much all business.. hardly any talking between songs..

i think he needs to save his energy for these looong shows, you know?
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mdisanto
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1140 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  13:24:24  Show Profile  Visit mdisanto's Homepage
yah but as much as you think about all the factors involved, it just boils down to the fact that if you pay money and make the effort to go see someone you love, and they seem to be so pissed off or in a bad mood (theres a difference between quiet and in a bad mood) you tend to take it personally. I know i probably would as much as i may try not to. same goes if i were to go up and say something to him. i dont expect him to have a half hour conversation with me, but just to humor me politely for a few seconds would be fine, if he doesnt seem the have the time to do that for someone whose spend hundreds of dollars on his products, then that just sucks for lack of better words. but ive never met him and he seemed fine at the last concert so well see how next week goes.

-miked
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Dave Noisy
Minister of Chaos

Canada
4496 Posts

Posted - 11/12/2002 :  23:29:07  Show Profile  Visit Dave Noisy's Homepage
It's really hard to 'put out' like that..and then recover from it. I dunno if any of you have performed for an audience before, but after shows i really don't feel like talking for a while.

I bet if you waited 20mins after the show you'd get a much better response.
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paul-and-mel@shaw.ca
- FB Fan -

3 Posts

Posted - 11/13/2002 :  01:13:20  Show Profile  Click to see paul-and-mel@shaw.ca's MSN Messenger address
In Vancouver for the Cult of Ray tour show he was having a good time, even after a couple screw ups with the guitarist, which no one cared about, he still shookup the Comadore with no effort needed...FB and the Cath's selftitled tour show was good aswell...seemed genuinely into being there and performing...my wife saw the Pistolero tour show and said it awesome (I was stuck in Edmonton on business..ugh...missed the show)...tho she thought crowd never picked up nor appreciated the fact the Pixies drummer was doing a chemistry type gig as an opener...damn...wish I was there...so any ways...all the FB we have seen have been him having a good time jamming to the audience...guess he likes Vancouver and the vibe we have here ;)
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KingOfSiam
- FB LinkMaster -

USA
460 Posts

Posted - 11/13/2002 :  09:26:25  Show Profile
Everytime I've seen Frank he seemed quite jovial until last year in Louisville - he did indeed seem all business. Except for the fact that there was no merch - that is bad business!
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ivandivel
= Cult of Ray =

394 Posts

Posted - 11/13/2002 :  14:25:13  Show Profile
Lighten up. You pay for the music, maybe for a good show and entertainment. If you do not have a good time, don't go the next time.
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BrendanT
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
907 Posts

Posted - 11/13/2002 :  15:05:56  Show Profile
I agree that the artist should attempt to be in a good mood, but you know what....I am not in a good mood all of the time. If I haven't seen my girlfriend/wife, dogs and cats or slept in my bed for a month there would be days I would want the world to go fuck themselves. If he doesn't seem to be in a good mood, just close your eyes and listen to his music. I feel that the music sounds better when he seems pissed off.

Strummer-man
I had me a vision!

I bid a good-day to you sir!
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remig
* Dog in the Sand *

France
1734 Posts

Posted - 11/14/2002 :  01:57:33  Show Profile
I think that "I'll be blue" on Dog is about this topic. I'll check in a french magazine.

"Possession of anything new or expensive only reflected a person's lack of theology and geometry"
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St. Francis
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
548 Posts

Posted - 11/15/2002 :  15:16:48  Show Profile
Have met Frank a couple of times and most recently at the Toronto show. He was a lot more cheerful this time than the times I have seen him in the past where he was for lack of a better discription rude. Having said this, all the times when I have met him he complies with all prety much all requests which is great. In general (and this is the consensus of my friends as well)he just isn't very personable...then again he's a rock star.
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anazgnos
= Cult of Ray =

USA
383 Posts

Posted - 11/15/2002 :  17:33:30  Show Profile
I've seen Frank in a wide variety of 'modes' and moods, and I have to say the no talking/all rocking Troubadour show in early '01 was one of the best shows I've ever seen.
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the swimmer
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1602 Posts

Posted - 11/18/2002 :  19:41:06  Show Profile  Visit the swimmer's Homepage
Holy Shit,

Once again I am floored by the Lyrics. "I'll Be Blue" IS about this. Shit.



"Winter blows through my coat"

the what four http://www.mp3.com/phelan
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Ebb Vicious
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1162 Posts

Posted - 11/18/2002 :  20:20:26  Show Profile  Visit Ebb Vicious's Homepage

i read an interview where frank explained that 'i'll be blue' was about how he had this female friend who he'd go to social events with and she'd always be annoyed that he wasn't all super-happy and cheerful just for the sake of being polite.

so, i guess in a way it's the same thing, but not strictly about the topic of this thread.
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
895 Posts

Posted - 11/19/2002 :  17:31:18  Show Profile  Visit frank_black_francis's Homepage
personally, i like the tunes

wutchu talkin bout willis?
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Sir Mike
- FB Fan -

USA
88 Posts

Posted - 11/19/2002 :  22:37:58  Show Profile
Thing to remember is that musicians or stage personalities are people still. It's easy to be all in awe and look for a perfect personality on stage. But still, they're people and sometimes they're pissed off or tired like anyone else. If you go and see someone and they're not putting on a smile on stage, I think it's a credit to them. At least they're being genuine and not putting on a phony smile when they're unhappy just to please the crowd. The show is just as much for the artist's striving for art as it is a spectical for the crowd. It's just human nature to be happy sometimes and sometimes not.

->Words are only the tip of the iceberg of my thoughts.<-
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =

Mexico
15297 Posts

Posted - 11/19/2002 :  23:35:28  Show Profile
word.
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <

3648 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2002 :  07:50:00  Show Profile
yeah.

word
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frank_black_francis
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
895 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2002 :  09:41:10  Show Profile  Visit frank_black_francis's Homepage
word to yo mother

wutchu talkin bout willis?
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BrendanT
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
907 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2002 :  14:48:54  Show Profile
Don't ya think that people talking about your mood (or lack of a good one) might put you in an even worse mood. It happens to me.

Strummer-man
I had me a vision!

I bid a good-day to you sir!
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =

USA
891 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2002 :  16:12:01  Show Profile
Hey, I went to a show and my friend was really impressed by Frank's sort of anti-social aura. It's cool I think. I remember before I'd ever read an interview with him and only knew his albums (at that point, I only knew the Pixies, this was awhile ago), I thought he would be this menacing, mean, black-humored genius-guy. Then he turned out to be kind of a goofball on this radio show I heard him on and I was totally caught off guard. BUt yet at other times he does have that cool aura. C'mon, we're all a bit bi-polar aren't we? Listen to his lyrics, do you really want some sort of wacky Jerry Lewis type guy to stand up on stage making lame one-liners and mugging for the audience while singing Gouge Away?
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Sir Mike
- FB Fan -

USA
88 Posts

Posted - 11/20/2002 :  18:30:41  Show Profile
That's true- over analyzing every little thing about someone could be a good reason for them to get pissed off. I probably wouldn't like it myself. Nice point.

->Words are only the tip of the iceberg of my thoughts.<-
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =

USA
925 Posts

Posted - 11/21/2002 :  07:54:13  Show Profile  Visit Atheist4Catholics's Homepage
This thread has kind of gone astray. I don't expect anyone to not have human ups and downs, or to have to showboat all the time, but it seems like Frank has a visible disdain for his audience sometimes and I was hoping someone might have an inside scoop on if or why he feels that way. Any words from the man himself?
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BrendanT
= Cult of Ray =

Canada
907 Posts

Posted - 11/26/2002 :  11:56:48  Show Profile
Asking a man like Frank Black to answer a question about why he is mad. Very brave. I will tell you what answer I would expect to hear.....'FUCK OFF!' Don't feel bad if that is what you hear. Nothing personal Atheist4Catholics....I just think if you expect him to give you an in-depth psych-analytical reason, you may be in for a surprise.

Strummer-man
I had me a vision!

Why should I leave America for America junior?
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =

USA
925 Posts

Posted - 11/26/2002 :  15:10:32  Show Profile  Visit Atheist4Catholics's Homepage
I don't think he's mad, just annoyed perhaps? Annoyed at fist pumping frat boys who only like the Pixies stuff? Annoyed at the crowd of socialites chatting noisely at the bar?
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ramona
"FB Quote Mistress"

USA
3988 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  13:00:51  Show Profile  Visit ramona's Homepage
Zanni and I were just having an email exchange about this and happily saying that in our separate experiences, Frank has seemed to be very receptive, generous and kind to people. I have definetly seen him annoyed at ISSUES that happen during shows, but it seems like he is just a person and maybe tired or what have you.... I guess at every show there is SOMETHING you could be annoyed at - and I obviously don't know what his issues are. Do we think he is just a generally serious (dour?) person? I have seen him three times now, and I would say he had both happy and annoyed moments at all three of those shows. And that is my only point of reference, so who knows?

Okay, that didn't clarify anything - but is my opinion, so whatever.
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jimmyj
- FB Fan -

2 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  16:32:54  Show Profile
What does any of this have to do with the music?
Isn't it about the music?
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Visiting Sasquatch
= Cult of Ray =

USA
451 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  16:43:11  Show Profile
You remind me of the church lady in the Simpsons, who is always yelling, "Will someone please think of the children! The CHILDREN!?". Hehe.
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zanni67
= Bio Elf =

643 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  16:47:24  Show Profile
Good thoughts there, Ramona! I think it has got to be difficult dealing with the crowds that are obviously there just to drink, get drunk, get laid, whatever. At the last show I was at (Philly) even I got annoyed at these 3 totally f'ed up guys that kept bumping into me and such, I ened up getting really pissed off and yelling at them, missing the great music in the mean time. It really takes away from the show, and that's just as a member of the audience. I don't know how people can get totally plastered and be flailing all over the place and actually enjoy the night. I guess I'm getting old, I don't know... but my point is I cannot even imagine what it must be like trying to play a song and having total idiots that prolly don't give a rat's ass about your music anyway stick their hands up right in your face, etc etc etc.

Ok, lecture over, ahem... (sorry)
Zan

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zanni67
= Bio Elf =

643 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  16:53:00  Show Profile
Frank Black is not JUST about music, IMHO, he's an experience all his own.

Go ahead, yell,
Zan
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mereubu
= FB QuizMistress =

USA
2677 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  17:09:32  Show Profile  Visit mereubu's Homepage
quote:
Originally posted by Atheist4Catholics

I don't think he's mad, just annoyed perhaps? Annoyed at fist pumping frat boys who only like the Pixies stuff? Annoyed at the crowd of socialites chatting noisely at the bar?


I'm sure that a lot of times it's hard for him not to be annoyed. Last time I saw him, there was this guy who stood in front of the mike stand the whole time smoking directly up into Frank's face, singing along very loudly, and occasionally trying to grab the stand. Totally obnoxious. Frank just ignored the dude with the ego-screaming behavior and turned his back any time he didn't have to sing. Rather than being pissed, I thought he was pretty gracious for being as civil as he was under those circumstances. It must be a drag to perform for people who have so little consideration for what it takes to deliver a good performance (like being able to breathe and not having some moron pawing at you the whole time.)
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-

USA
5155 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  22:04:30  Show Profile  Visit Broken Face's Homepage
when i met frank this tour i was there WAY before the show and he wasn't busy at all and TOTALLY blew me off - i was trying to be cordial and nice and he couldn't care less - i hope he was just having a bad day

RAWK!
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Chip Away Boy
= Cult of Ray =

914 Posts

Posted - 12/03/2002 :  23:21:09  Show Profile
how long before the show did you get there?, what did you say to him? what did he respond?
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =

USA
899 Posts

Posted - 12/04/2002 :  00:22:37  Show Profile  Visit Chris Knight's Homepage
I agree 100% that going to FB concerts is about being entertained, not about making friends with your favorite singer, songwriter, guitar player, etc. That said, I remember watching an episode of the HBO show Reverb a LONG time ago in which Dave Grohl's band the Foo Fighters were playing at some huge outdoor event (I think Green Day was another act on the bill) and some total novice threw a bottle (glass or plastic, I dunno) at Dave's head. All Dave did was dodge the fucker and commence playing, flashing a wicked grin at the perpetrator. Now that's what I call professionalism.
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jimmyj
- FB Fan -

2 Posts

Posted - 12/04/2002 :  09:49:55  Show Profile
------------------------------------------------------------------------
quote:
Frank Black is not JUST about music, IMHO, he's an experience all his own. Go ahead, yell.


Whoa there. Certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. I just don't understand how a musical experience can be so devastatingly affected by whether the artist is chatty or personable onstage or off. As long as the show rocks, what does it matter?
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