Frank talks

Black recalls Pixies fame and explains his two-track thinking on Pistolero

by Joe Gagne

Frank Black has a hard time escaping his past. Fans will always want to remember him first as Black Francis, Pixies frontman, and second as a solo artist. Even though the Pixies broke up in 1993, several Pixies-related albums -- a greatest hits/live double album, a collection of BBC sessions, and a just-issued tribute disc -- have been released in the past two years, rejuvenating interest in the Boston four-piece, an amazing band who were "alternative" when the label meant something. In fact, weird and wonderful albums like Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, with their abstract lyrics and dissonant guitars, were a road map for '90s music. Unfortunately, due to ongoing tension between Black and bassist Kim Deal, the Pixies disbanded before they could share in the scene they helped create.

Deal went on to find brief success with her twin sister, Kelly, in the Breeders. Meanwhile, Black Francis inverted his stage name to Frank Black and began an odyssey as a solo artist, which took him from outer space back to his rock-and-roll roots and to the Lucky Dog on Friday.

Black's first two solo efforts, 1993's Frank Black and 1994's Teenager of the Year, were popular with both critics and fans. But 1996's solid but aloof The Cult of Ray turned fans off with its songs about aliens and future societies.

"On The Cult of Ray I was feeling defiant about the lyrics," says Black. "People were starting to question my dabbling in sci-fi, but I was feeling independent. I did what I wanted to do, but I pushed it too far."

So Black decided to make some changes. Instead of being "officially" solo, he named his backing band the Catholics, a decision he made, he says, to quell suspicions he was a difficult artist to work with and to focus the spotlight on the other musicians in the group.

The name change also coincided with their new sound, which they discovered "completely by accident." They recorded a demo live to a two-track recorder (as opposed to the traditional 24-track) in four days. Because they liked the rough, simplistic feel of the recording, they decided to release it as an album.

Unfortunately, the songs collected dust for more than a year, while Black's label, American Recordings, suffered from financial problems and ultimately underwent a reorganization.

The album, named Frank Black and the Catholics, was finally released by New York's spinART in 1998 and showcased Black, who was definitely back from orbit penning some of his best lyrics, particularly in "I Need Peace," "Suffering," and the break-up song "Do You Feel Bad About It?" with his typical oddball musings about such topics as Cain and Abel and the apocalypse. The production is deliciously raw, with no overdubs or production tricks -- just four guys rocking out with guitars, bass, and drums.

Fans who were pleased didn't have to wait long for more; six months later Black released Pistolero. The album is very similar to its predecessor -- recorded live, this time in 10 days, on two tracks -- and includes 14 catchy songs that are as thoughtful ("So Hard To Make Things Out") as they are bizarre ("I Love Your Brain"). What is different on Pistolero is the punched-up guitar sound, thanks to new axman Rich Gilbert, who replaced Lyle Workman. "He fits in very well," says Black of his new bandmate. "He's a much angrier guitar player. He's aggressive, more of a rebel; and his playing reflects his personality."

Black insists that he and his band will continue working with the two-track recording system. "It's less expensive; and it's challenging, too. Next time we might attempt a different sound within the two-track parameter. I mean, you can make a Bryan Ferry record if you plan it."

Black is satisfied with both the direction of his music and his new label. "They're very responsive," he says of spinART, "not a lot of BS, like `Hey, I love ya man, you're a priority.'" He doesn't even mind all of the attention the Pixies still receive. "I've been doing this for 11, 12 years. All that stuff is good publicity for me. I'm not selling millions of records, and I need the stature to help my current project."

And though Black has continually stated that he's not interested in a Pixies reunion, surely someone has offered him a lot of money to rejoin his old mates, right?

"No," he responds. "Most of the people in a position to make that kind of an offer know me, and they know I don't want to. My heart wouldn't be in it."

Frank Black and the Catholics appear at 8 p.m. on July 16 at the Lucky Dog Music Hall. Tickets are $15. Call 363-1888.