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
Credits
- 2024 · Pixies - Rock en Seine 2024 as Self
- 2023 · Pixies - Olympia, Paris as Self
- 2021 · Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. as himself
- 2016 · Unknown Brood as
- 2013 · Pixies: 6Music In Concert as
- 2013 · Sound City as Self
- 2011 · Berlin Live as Self - Performer
- 2009 · The Magnificent Tati as Self
- 2008 · NPR Tiny Desk Concerts as Self
- 2007 · Lil' Bush as Self
- 2007 · Seven Ages of Rock as Self
- 2007 · Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! as Self (voice)
- Future · Pixies - BBC 6 Music Festival 2022 as Self
- 2014 · Pixies - Lollapalooza Argentina 2014 as Himself
- 2013 · Pixies à l'Olympia - ARTE Live Web as
- 2013 · Pixies - Live at iTunes Festival as
- 2006 · Pixies : Live At The Paradise In Boston as
- 2006 · Pixies - Acoustic : Live In Newport as himself
- 2006 · loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies as Himself
- 2005 · Pixies - Sell Out as Himself
- 2005 · Pixies - Rock en Seine 2005 as Black Francis
- 2004 · Pixies: Live at The Town & Country as Black Francis
- 2004 · Pixies: Gouge as Frank Black
- 2003 · Placebo: Soulmates Never Die: Live in Paris 2003 as vocal / guitar
- 2003 · Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) as Self
- 1997 · David Bowie & Friends: A Very Special Birthday Celebration as Self - Special Guest
- 1997 · David Bowie: An Earthling at 50 as Self - Live on Stage with Bowie
- 1994 · Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos as Self
- 1991 · Pixies: Live at Brixton Academy 1991 as
- 1990 · Pixies: Live in Utrecht as