Craig Interviews Frank Black

FRANK BLACK

by Craig Ablitt

My editor asked me one day: "Jack Daniels have been on the phone and want us to do a promotion with them and interview some of the bands they have playing at some gigs they are putting on." "OK, who have they got?" I asked. "Elbow and some dude called Frank Black." "Frank fucking Black?" I responded. "Arrange that NOW!" She did and one cold September night I was given his mobile number and went outside the office to a little dark street in South London to exchange words with a man whose band was the soundtrack to a million nights out consisting of cheap vodka, chain smoking and Cresta Cars zooming down Rochdale Road until reaching Whitworth Street.

What projects are you keeping yourself busy with at the moment?
Well, right now I'm trying to convince the other Pixies to make a record. I got a few things about at the moment though. I'm recording another solo record right now. I think I'm going to call it 'The Holiday Inn Season Package' because all of the tracks have been demoed at various hotels on my travels on a video camera. It might turn out to be a dance record with more pop-type sounds like the Eurythmics. (Pauses for thought). Yeah, a chick on synths. That would be cool with some awesome bass (pauses to write something down). I do like making my own records becasue you don't have to figure them out with other people and it's never awkward. Oh yeah, my wife has an album coming out too at some point. It's difficult for her though because of the children, the breast feeding, plus they got to learn math and stuff.

The last recording you had out was Honeycomb and was recorded in Tennessee where these JD Set gigs are happening. Are you fond of that part of the world?

I don't know the place at all, just the recording studios, people's homes and that's about it. I know the pace is choked full of musical legends of course. In the Pixies we would hang out in Memphis and our bus driver had a CV installed and I would talk to all the truckers in the area - real friendly people who all really dug country music. When you look at the music that's come out of Tennessee, you get to the roots of some of the all-time great American music like folk, gospel, blues, r&b, motown, soul, bluesgrass.... It's cool.

200 people are being flown from the UK for this particular show. What can they expect from the set?

200 huh? Wow! I've not decided yet. There'll be some Pixies material to look forward to, some new recordings and some old solo things. It'll be different that's for sure.

You've opened up for some interesting names in the past few months, namely Tom Petty and U2. Who was your favourite to play with?

Tom Petty is a pretty nice guy and is very generous financially to his opening acts! That's not always the case when you open up for people though, but I enjoyed the shows I played with him. Those U2 boys were nice. They let you ride in their airplane that has a cappacino station, a margharita station and if you ask their bartender nicely he'll put an umbrella in your drink - very cool.

You have a huge solo tour coming up in the US, are there any plans to bring some of the shows to the UK?

I'll always put on a tour with the UK in mind. You folks have been very nice to me in the past.

How does life on the road as a solo artist compare to being on the road with The Pixies?
The Pixies are my calling card I guess. I've become accustomed to playing larger audiences with them. There's a lot more potential for tension and arguements in that band both on and off the stage. People make a lot out of that though. It happens in every band. There's no story or angle on the Pixies. Sure, we fight all the time, but I bet there are other bands who fight more.

The band have been back together now for three years touring. What did you want to achieve with the reformation?
To make amends I suppose for the past. Also to make some money and be loved by fans old and new. It's nice to be in the limelight and be adored.

Are old grievances within the band now laid to rest?

I guess. We probably communicate more than harbour grudges like in the past. I guess we air our grudges more now, especially between Kim and I. Joey's weird though. Nobody knows Joey, he's a riddle inside a riddle.

Was there ever a definitive reason as to why the band split?

No. We never said anything to anyone. I don't even remember sending a letter to our manager to say we'd quit. It just happened.

The Pixies documentary LoudQuiteloud is due for release. What are your thoughts on the film?
I enjoyed process of it and watching the original cut, but I get the impression they wanted to make a story out of it about us not getting on and creating an atmosphere. I found that strange. I was hoping for a film that nobody would get, something more wacky.

You mentioned trying to get the other Pixies to record new material. What are the chances?

About fifty fifty right now I guess.

You are obviously keen, do you have any songs ready that you have in mind for the Pixies?
Ideas always appear in studios and stuff, but I'm not concerned with ideas. I'll just sign on the line to record material and go and do it. Kim has The Breeders which keeps her busy right now and I am kinda busy on tour and with solo records, so logistically it makes it hard. To make it happen we'd need to clear the decks and be cultured enough to do that. Actually, when I said fifty fifty, right now it's more like seventy-five to twenty-five in my favour of material happening. The ball's in their court.

What would a Pixies album sound like right now do you think?

Oh, like a country album I think.

I'm embarrassed to ask, but a friend of mine wanted me to ask you a question..

Don't be shy.

OK. Give one word answers to describe each member of the Pixies.

OK, that's not such a bad question is it!? Kim Deal I'd say is charasmatic. Joey Santiago...(pauses for a long time). Unknown is my answer there. Dave Lovering I would call outgoing. He is like an actual pixie. Actually, Joey is one too. He might actually be one pretending to be a human.

What do you feel is left to achieve with your career?

I've always wanted to put out reggae albums.

And with the Pixies?

Oh lots of things. A soundtrack to a movie where we were also the actors would be something.