FB
Frank Black
Actor, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn April 6, 1965 (59 years)
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.
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.
Filmography
| 2023 | Pixies - Olympia, Paris · as Self |
| 2021 | Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr. · as Himself |
| 2020 | Coachella: 20 Years in the Desert · as Self |
| 2015 | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 2013 | Sound City · as Self |
| 2011 | Berlin Live (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 2010 | Conan (2010) (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 2009 | The Magnificent Tati · as Self |
| 2009 | The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 2009 | NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Funny or Die Presents (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | 7 Ages of Rock (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (TV Series) · as Self (voice) |
| 2006 | Pixies - Acoustic : Live In Newport · as Himself |
| 2006 | Coachella · as Self (with Pixies) |
| 2006 | CBeebies Bedtime Stories (TV Series) · as Self - Storyteller |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies · as Himself |
| 2006 | The Henry Rollins Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Pixies · as Frank Black |
| 2002 | Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns) · as Self |
| 1997 | David Bowie: An Earthling at 50 · as Self - Live On Stage With Bowie |
| 1996 | The Adam And Joe Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 1992 | Later... with Jools Holland (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | The Word (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 1988 | Sunday Night (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Pixies |
| 1975 | Austin City Limits (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1974 | Rockpalast (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1959 | Juke Box Jury (TV Series) · as Self - Panellist |