Music Monday: Black Francis

Black Francis
Black Francis on stage

Last Friday night, Black Francis came to town. You know who he is, right? For those of you that already know, let the newbies have their two minutes to catch up.

Black Francis, born Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV, is the lead singer of a band called The Pixies. After the Pixies broke up in 1993, he went solo where he went by the name of Frank Black [a reverse play on his stage name]. Since 2004, The Pixies have reunited and play live shows every so often. In between those shows, Mr. Francis takes the stage solo, performing music he’s made outside of the Pixies [as well as some Pixies songs, too].

Marquee
the “of the Pixies” is important

The show started at 9pm with an opening act [a hippie guitarist named Dave Williams]. Once Black Francis took the stage, he started off with some stage banter about how grateful he was to be here again. Someone from the audience yelled “Urban Lounge” when Black asked how long ago it was he had been to Utah.

This particular tour is a moving tour. For the last 20 years, Black Francis and his family have lived in Oregon. He’s making his way cross country back to his home of Massachusetts, stopping every so often and playing a club date.

on Stage
Black Francis – all by himself

He talked about playing some Pixies songs first… “to get them out of the way, well not really… but you know what I mean, right?” Yes, we do.

Eric and Frank
Eric Drew Feldman and Black Francis

While by himself for a couple of songs, most of the night, Black Francis had some bass and keyboard help from Eric Drew Feldman, who is a producer and has worked with him on several of his solo albums. Quite accomplished himself, Eric added the background sound for various songs like Where Is My Mind and Velouria, not to mention Frank Black tunes like Ten Percenter, Los Angeles and I Hear Ramona Sing

black francis
Strumming Along

He pretty much pulled from most of his catalog of songs all night. I was hoping to hear Headache a rousing song from his album “Teenager Of The Year”, but alas, it was not to be. But no complaints. All three solo entities were represented here, including a couple tracks from his stint with the short-lived backing band, The Catholics.

Centered
Center Stage

And a bit after midnight, Black strummed that final chord and left the stage. No encore needed. If you are a Pixies fan and Black Francis (or Frank Black) comes to town and plays a small club (The State Room holds 300 people), go treat yourself. I’ve seen him three times solo now and it’s worth it.

Of course, a Pixies show is the ultimate experience for anyone [which I’ve experienced only once in 2004]. Biased much? Why yes I am.

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