Frank Black
Black Francis (born Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV on April 6, 1965) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman of the influential alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black. After releasing two albums with 4AD, he left the label and formed a backing band, Frank Black and the Catholics. He reformed the Pixies in 2004 and continues to release solo records and tour as a solo artist, having re-adopted his current stage name in 2007.
His vocal style has varied from a screaming, yowling delivery as lead vocalist of the Pixies to a more measured and melodical style in his solo career. His cryptic lyrics mostly explore unconventional subjects, such as surrealism, incest and Biblical violence, along with science fiction and surf culture. His use of atypical meter signatures, loud-quiet dynamics and distinct preference for live-to-two-track recording in his career as a solo artist give him a distinct style within alternative rock.
As frontman of the Pixies, his songs (such as "Where Is My Mind?" and "Debaser") received praise and citations from contemporaries, including Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Cobain once said that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was his attempt at trying to "rip off the Pixies". However, in his solo work and records with the Catholics, he received fewer popular and critical accolades.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Black Francis, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For | Acting |
---|---|
Most Rating | 0.427 |
Birthday | 1965-04-06 |
Place of Birth | Boston, Massachusetts |
Also Known As | Black Francis, |
1997
David Bowie: An Earthling at 50
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2003
Placebo: Soulmates Never Die: Live in Paris 2003
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2005
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2013
Pixies à l'Olympia - ARTE Live Web
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2006
Pixies - Acoustic : Live In Newport
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2004
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2013
Pixies - Live at iTunes Festival
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The Pixies on iTunes Festival 2013
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1990
Pixies: Live in Utrecht
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2005
Pixies - Rock en Seine 2005
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2004
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2013
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2016
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2023
Pixies - Olympia, Paris
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2024
Pixies - Rock en Seine 2024
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1994
Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos
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2009
The Magnificent Tati
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1991
Pixies: Live at Brixton Academy 1991
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2006
Pixies : Live At The Paradise In Boston
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2003
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
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