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freiah
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
 Posted - 05/14/2004 : 05:15:59
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I had been along time fan of Frank Black, going back to early Pixies days. I have supported him throughout his solo efforts, and think he is a wonderful musician (and that voice...)
Last year, I went to see him at Toad's Place, New Haven...so very excited was I!!
After his set, I went downstairs with hopes of getting him to scribble his name upon my poster. I waited there with ONE other person. FB walked by and said "after the encore"....whoo hoo!!! so I waited patiently...the other fella did not. When FB came back down, I very politely asked him again for his signature...he completely ignored me. I said please and he told me to F*** off.
Now, I do not think that was very nice behaviour...it was not like there were throngs of people asking for his autograph, just me....
Unfortunately, it has put a sour taste in my mouth for Mr.Black |
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PsychicTwin
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1772 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 06:16:25
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Maybe he was having a bad day. "Fuck off" is a little excessive, though. Still...giving out autographs is a favor, not an obligation.
________________________
"I'd rather the stuff I do be half a dozen people's favorite thing, as opposed to 10 million people's ninth-favorite thing." -Ricky Gervais |
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mrgrieves1971
= Cult of Ray =
USA
544 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 06:48:47
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When I walk to work I pass by dozens of homeless people. They are all asking for spare change. I routinely give them my change. But I do not do it daily and I do not give it to everyone. I'm busy and I need to get to work.
Now imagine if all these homeless people were waiting specifically for YOU to ask for spare change. But they weren't out on the street, but in the hallways of your office. You're trying to get your work done and there are all these homeless people following you around asking for change.
I know it is far from being the best analogy, but my point is this: I'm not excusing Frank for blowing off an autograph seeking ... but I understand. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 08:14:52
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| I sympathize with you, freiah. If that happened to me it would definitely leave a sour taste in my mouth. I'd probably boycott Frank for at least a few years. |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 08:25:40
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| am I the only one here who reads these stories and always sympathizes with Frank rather than the autograph seekers? |
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hawken
- FB Fan -
USA
178 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 08:29:29
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| I find it hard to believe that he would just tell someone to fuck off just for asking for an autograph. I can understand just not signing one, but telling a fan to fuck off just for asking for an autograph is pretty harsh. However, I'm giving Frank the benefit of the doubt in this case. |
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Etienne
- FB Fan -
Japan
115 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 08:57:16
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Frank might the MAN but he is only a man.... he can have some bad day, be angry . I have met him several times and chatted with him. He was nice to me ! Maybe you just have to feel the right moment to do it.
I used to have a bad opinion about Scott Boutier because one day he had the same kind of "don't bother me" reaction with me. However after another gig, Scott and I talked for 20 minutes so I realized how fool I had been. He is actually a nice guy !
Just give Frank a second chance !!! Try again at another gig, at a better moment...
Etienne |
Edited by - Etienne on 05/14/2004 08:58:27 |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 09:07:20
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| I give Frank the benefit of the doubt, too. In other words, I don't hold it against Frank that someone else says he told them to fuck off. I assume there's another side of the story. However, if the incident went down just as freiah reports and it happened to me, I'd be pretty fucking sour. I find it hard to believe the rest of you would just shrug it off IF, I stress again, IF, Frank told you go fuck yourself because you asked for an autograph. |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 09:45:22
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| i find it hard to believe too. at least, that he literally said "fuck off". i can see him ignoring you because he wasn't in the mood to sign autographs at that moment. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 09:48:02
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I could see it if you were constantly hounding him. Y'know, "Frank! Frank! Frank! Frank Black! Charles! Chuck! Mr. Thompson! Sir! Please! Can I have your autograph?! Hello! Yo! Frank! Frank Black! ..."
But that is still pretty extreme and I would be pretty disappointed if I were to be told that by someone who is basically a hero to me.
 "Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 10:05:35
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Dean, was that by experience?
"Everywhere I go I want to travel by X-Wing" |
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 10:09:34
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| that's almost cooler than autograph, he autographed your mind metaphysically |
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betty
= Cult of Ray =
USA
258 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 10:31:48
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the burden of fame. intense. i'm trying to imagine what it would be like to be soo important, genuinely, to countless strangers. what responsibility would that entail?
i'm sorry frank was mean to you.
i learned a weird lesson once. a person whose music i adore, i got to know personally. i didn't really like him. i still love his music passionately. the art takes on a valid life of its own, in its meaning to you, which has little to do with the day to day of the man who created it.
in short, you can think fb is a prick and still love him. make sense?
best wishes,
betty
take me to micky's liquor you cocksucker! |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 12:19:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Cult_Of_Frank
I could see it if you were constantly hounding him. Y'know, "Frank! Frank! Frank! Frank Black! Charles! Chuck! Mr. Thompson! Sir! Please! Can I have your autograph?! Hello! Yo! Frank! Frank Black! ..."
But that is still pretty extreme and I would be pretty disappointed if I were to be told that by someone who is basically a hero to me.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened"
Yeah, some wingnut was yelling like that in Portland while Frank was putting away equipment, waving his album around. Mike & I were standing beside him at the base of the stage respectfully waiting and then decided to back off from the stage until it looked like FB was closer to being done. FB did eventually come over and sign the guy's CD though, I think. I was ready to tell him where to go.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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El Barto
= Song DB Master =
USA
4020 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 15:26:54
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I would feel very put off...very very very put off, if Frank Black told me to "fuck off." I mean, christ...I understand the whole "autograph is a privelege not a right" and the whole "he might be having a bad day" but that's no reason for someone in his position to tell some kid to fuck off (unless I guess you were being an obnoxious dick just pestering him or something).
Think of it this way...we're his customers. We keep him in business. If I were to tell customers to fuck off (oh god would I love to), I wouldn't have a job. Different story, I know, but very similar.
Boycott cults and t's |
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 17:13:41
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The weird thing is that FB said he would give freiah the autograph after the encore. Then, once the encore ended, FB didn't give frieah the autograph. I'm not as emotional about the evidence supporting Frank's rudeness than I am about the evidence supporting Frank's dishonesty.
I AM of course open to the possibility that the evidence is inaccurate/misinterpreted. |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 17:17:19
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No it's not very nice. I remember seeing FB very very moody a couple of times, yet he always stays rather polite.
It's our tradition to control, Like Erich Honecker and Helmut Kohl, From the Ukraine to the Rhône. Sweet home über alles, Lord, I'm coming home. So come on, Sugar Daddy, bring me home. |
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darkoutsider
= Cult of Ray =
USA
285 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 18:09:20
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Something about this story just doesn't seem right. It feels like there's something missing... maybe you were a little too pushy when you said you please. We also don't know what happened back stage after the show. May be some one pissed him off after the encore and freiah was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Because I've read countless stories about how he's such a nice guy, at times very touchy feely (as in gives hugs and all that). So either you bugged him or just got him when he's throwing a fit.
But that's only my opinion, I could be wrong. |
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freiah
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 19:11:31
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I told my story like it was....I have no reason to lie or fabricate, it is not in my nature...I wasn't overtly pushy...I was polite and considerate. I have many friends in the industry and I know what it is like to be hounded or be annoyed by pushy fans....
I don't think much happened between him leaving the stage and me asking...but who knows??
El Barto, thank you for your comments!
I did boycott his music for awhile...but, will listen now...how can I not?? Yes, Betty...I do think he is a prick, but I really enjoy the music and the Pixies, especially!
And Little Black Francis' comment is priceless!! |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 20:51:20
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| Some reactions to this kind of story remind me of the sometimes callous, cavalier attitude toward women who were raped. "Well, she must have been asking for it somehow..." |
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
3648 Posts |
Posted - 05/14/2004 : 22:08:34
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Call me LBF patron with 2 posts
Luke, I am your father.
I only go to cancelled shows.
[edit]
Esp. when I don't they've been cancelled yet. I've driven 10 hours to a cancelled Frank Black show...
I joined the Cult of
I'm confused about he Pixies reunion |
Edited by - Little Black Francis on 05/14/2004 22:10:21 |
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chick
- FB Fan -
Canada
118 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 04:20:53
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| I met Frank, and there were a few kids hounding him to sigh a bunch of shit.They had alot of Pixies shit with them that they wanted to get sighed.He was really nice to them . Maybe he was just in a bad mood.Your best bet is to try to forget about it.I know that may seem hard, but I bet THE MAN has forgotten all about it, so why stress. |
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Casper Tighe
- FB Fan -
7 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 07:10:31
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Same thing happened to me and Burt Jansch.
Miserable Git he was, but then... he was all about being a miserable git.
Maybe Frank was hungry.
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NimrodsSon
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1938 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 07:37:34
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Maybe he was really drunk and he doesn't even know it happened
ˇViva los Católicos! |
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rockmusic84
= Cult of Ray =
USA
256 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 09:31:23
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It would be nice if THE MAN himself would post on this thread and clear this up. 1 day and 2 accusations of Frank being rude. This could get out of hand. I'd love to meet Frank (or any one of my musical heroes) but there's also that part of me that says "keep your distance". The points Betty made in her post are spot on. Another thing we all must consider, Freiah, is were you ATTENDING the show at which you met Frank, or just "hanging around" backstage or around the venue? It's possible he could've been pissed off that you didn't buy a ticket, but wanted something from him. Just a thought.
Join The Cult of U-MASS - IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!! |
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freiah
- FB Fan -
9 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 09:55:41
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My husband and I both bought tickets...we weren't just "hanging around"
Frank is a rude bastard |
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noexx
= Cult of Ray =
361 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 10:00:12
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i don't know...sometimes club managers, workers, employees etc. at the venues make it hard for a band to have a good night by not dealing with the band in the correct way (bugging them for photos and autograph's while they try to relax after a long drive) or not giving the band what was agreed to in the contracts. sometimes this can lead to a musician being in a grumpy mood, having an off night or just being pissed off and sometimes it gets taken out on the fans accidentally. and usually fans waiting right by your green room door kinda freak you out....it's supposed to be your private space at each club.
don't know if this was the case for freiah's show but i remember one specific show i went to of fb and the c's in sacramento where this seemed to be the case and the whole band packed up very fast after playing a short set and got out of there without signing stuff for these college guys waiting. when someone approcahed them they just kept saying, "we're loading." then they took off.
i actually kinda like it when they are pissed off. it makes for a fun atmosphere and an interesting set. |
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 11:08:30
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quote:
Originally posted by NimrodsSon
Maybe he was really drunk and he doesn't even know it happened
ˇViva los Católicos!
The weird thing is...he told freiah "after the encore" at first. Did he get really drunk in between the 2 times that freiah asked him?
I've heard stories that attest to many of Frank's friendly nice qualities...this is one of the first that COULD POSSIBLY attest to the "rude" side. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 11:20:50
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Frank's reply would probably look something like this (this was posted in the Rich Gilbert the Snob thread some time ago):
http://forum.frankblack.net/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=3204
quote:
Originally posted by frnck blck
you know, sometimes we in the band have shit to do...sometimes we have to take a shit, in fact...sometimes we're in a bad mood because auntie mary died...sometimes we're busy looking for our loved ones who are wandering around the venue...sometimes we're trying to find a pay phone...sometimes we're in a rush because of SOME VERY GOOD REASON...you know, sometimes we just don't have time for you frank black francis...don't take it personally...we try to say hi, sign autographs, acknowledge our patrons, but this is going on 7 days a week, all day and all night, and we just can't come through for you sometimes...trust me, if we could afford to have a big crew taking care of our every need we would have a lot more time to chat and socialize, and if we were not in the mood we would just stay in our hotel suite until showtime. but if my amp breaks one afternoon during a tour, you know who usually ends up fixing it? RICH GILBERT. he is not a snob. he is one of the nicest people i have ever known.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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True Blue
- FB Fan -
United Kingdom
14 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2004 : 11:21:21
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Interesting subject.....
I've met Frank twice. The first time was back in 99 during the Pistolero tour and we went caught him loading the van (Astoria - London) He was basically surrounded by about 20 fans who all wanted to talk at him and shake his hand. He was really friendly and spoke to everyone, gave us autographs and we had a quick chat about a TV show he'd been on and he thanked me for compliments etc. It left me with a real glow, like I was so glad he was nice in person.
The second time I met him was in 2001. We hung around about an hour after the show and he eventually emerged and was again helping to pack stuff into the coach. We waited until he was done and then walked over. I went up to him and congratulated him on a great show. He did shake my hand and signed some fliers, but then he just turned his back and completely ignored my question about the gig in London the next night. It was rude and it did make me feel a little weird about the evening. Had he not been so nice the first time I would say he was a rude bastard, but if anyone has read interviews, he's often said that he is moody and sometimes he has to be a bastard or he'll never get away.
Therefore, I think we gotta appreciate he's only human, and fans must get in his face sometimes, but telling someone to fuck off is way out of order, I would've given him an earful if he said that to me, musical hero or not!
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Ziggy
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
2463 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 07:35:22
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Ah yes, the 'Rich Gilbert is a snob' thread. LOL.
"Me and the chickens running in the street" |
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Jason
* Dog in the Sand *
1446 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 08:40:04
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If I were a rock star, I'd probably be rude and distant sometimes when dealing with the fans.
I mean, I'm not a rock star and I'm rude and distant ALREADY. I'm a prick. So I usually relate to Frank in these stories. |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
Canada
11687 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 09:12:35
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I tried to find the dancing bear post, too, but to no avail...
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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Skatealex1
* Dog in the Sand *
1670 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 10:29:15
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Dancing bear is in the king holds court post!
The Truth Is Out There |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 14:43:44
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quote:
Originally posted by frnck blck
TO ALL MY FANS...
There seems to be much concern over the fact that I don't say much during my gigs. I have never in 17 years chatted from the stage. It is not my style. Most of the crowd is there to hear music and could care less about what I might have to say as a citizen. If I made pop music and played to thousands of people a night, maybe my demeanor would be a little different. I play arty rock music on the arty rock music circuit. It has never been my expectation that one should be chatty in this arena. That has never been my experience when I am a patron. And if I don't do an encore it isn't because I'm "in a bad mood". It's because the audience didn't really ask for one. Basically, I, the artist, don't deserve to take an encore if it is not demanded. The oft performed encore is a classic example of theatrical tradition becoming watered-down, dumbed-down, and meaningless. It's a real shame. I am a guitar player. I am not a dancing bear....I am a singer. I am not a dancing bear... I am a guy loading a trailer. I am not a dancing bear... I am a cabaret singer. I am not a dancing bear... Sometimes people think that I am rude when I don't switch into that dancing bear routine. I am not complaining. I adore playing music to the people that support my art. But I am not a fucking dancing bear... I may look like a dancing bear! Sure. I admit it.
FraNK
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ProverbialCereal
- FB TabMaster -
USA
2953 Posts |
Posted - 05/16/2004 : 16:51:49
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That's classic.
Just quit a cult / going through withdrawal |
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rudeness
