Frank Black

See also: Pixies

Frank Black, nee Charles Thompson, is one of the most accomplished rock songwriters of his era, basically the 20th century's final 15 years and beyond. He earned his stripes with five albums in six years as the frontman for underground icons the Pixies, but after disbanding the group via press release in 1993, he embarked on an even bolder mission: to outlive the legacy he created.

1993's Frank Black and 1994's Teenager Of The Year proved Black's creativity to have even more range than he displayed with his critically acclaimed former band. Both find him reaching past his well-known surf-punk motifs to create pop-rock vistas that distilled dozens of influences into tunes about UFOs, architects, obscure towns, facial hair, and the Three Stooges.

But lo, Black was not completely happy on his own. He missed having a trusty band behind him that he could tour long and hard with and not worry about collaborating with dozens of people on each album. Enter the Catholics, basically the former Miracle Legion rhythm section of Scott Boutier and David McCaffrey. With a string of guitarists including Lyle Workman, Rich Gilbert, and Dave Philips, Frank and the Catholics turned into an old-school band of rock troubadors, punching out albums like Frank Black And The Catholics, Pistolero, Dog In The Sand, and Devil's Workshop with impressive regularity.

Black adopted the new m.o. of recording live to two-track, which gave his albums an immediate feel and gave his band a reason to really learn their shit and get air-tight in time for the performances. The former indie icon is currently living out his dream as a rock and roller with a band in a van, criss-crossing the country to play ear-crushing shows at a smoky club near you.

Album reviews

Bluefinger
Cooking Vinyl (2007)
Delve into the worlds of two rock icons in one tight album – what are you waiting for?

Fastman Raiderman
Back Porch Records (2006)
A 27-track double disc of pure Americana is the latest stop on the Frank Black Highway.

Honeycomb
Back Porch Records (2005)
Frank takes a break before the Pixies tour and shacks up with Nashville luminaries for the relaxed Honeycomb, whose mood reflects a lonely man, but a damn fine musician at that.

Show Me Your Tears
spinART (2003)
Monsieur Noir and his merry band of papists return with Show Me Your Tears, the combo's fifth release this century. And it's a doooozy!

Black Letter Days
spinART (2002)
Two new albums from the Californian rockers; an Ex-Pixie and his old-school rock troupe.

Devil's Workshop
spinART (2002)
Two new albums from the Californian rockers; an Ex-Pixie and his old-school rock troupe.

Oddballs
EMusic (2001)
Oddballs is a gift for the Frank Black fan who owns every album, but still has that insatiable hankering for just one more slice.

Dog In The Sand (Recommended)
What Are Records (2001)
Frank Black: back again. He doesn't quit, you know?

Pistolero
SpinArt (1999)
Frank is calling you. Go to him.

Frank Black And The Catholics
SpinArt (1998)
Frank Black's fourth solo album sadly discards a lot of the endearing weirdness that has made Black such an enjoyable character.

The Cult Of Ray
American (1996)
Here modern rock god Frank Black melts down his patented weirdness, solid rock aesthetic and obscure lyrical references into a tight record with little left to the imagination.

Teenager Of The Year (Recommended)
4AD/Elektra (1994)
In his second solo outing, Frank Black has produced his magnum opus with Teenager Of The Year.

Frank Black
EMusic (1993)
Frank Black's eponymous debut of 1993 is the expression of an artist fully released from his shackles and turned loose to create a masterpiece.

Interviews

The Devil's Workshops
July 15, 2002
Having just dropped two simultaneous albums, tireless rock troubadour Frank Black speaks to NATN about the recording process, neurotic dogs, and his favorite Pixies songs.

Concert reviews

February 5, 2001
Mercury Lounge, New York
The inimitable Frank Black turned down the volume knob a touch for an intimate performance at New York's Mercury Lounge Sunday night.

July 6, 1999
The Metro, Chicago
Alternative rock juggernaut Frank Black proved his status as one of the hardest workers in the biz on a breezy Tuesday night in Chicago.