Black Francis

Black Francis
Black Francis playing guitar onstage, in front of a microphone
Francis playing at Positivus Festival 2017
Background information
Birth nameCharles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV
Also known asFrank Black
Born (1965-04-06) April 6, 1965 (age 59)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1986–present
Labels
Member of
Websiteblackfranc.is

Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV (born April 6, 1965) is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter.[1] He is the frontman of the alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis.[2] Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black.[3] After releasing two albums with record label 4AD and one with American Recordings, he left the label and formed a new band, Frank Black and the Catholics. He re-adopted the name Black Francis in 2007.

His vocal style has varied from a screaming, yowling delivery as lead vocalist of Pixies to a more measured and melodic style in his solo career.[4] His cryptic lyrics mostly explore unconventional subjects, such as surrealism, UFOs, and biblical violence, along with science fiction and surf culture.[5] His use of atypical meter signatures, loud–quiet dynamics, and distinct preference for live-to-two-track recording during his time with the Catholics, give him a distinct style within alternative rock.[6]

Thompson regrouped Pixies in early 2004, but continued to release solo records and tour as a solo artist[7] until 2013, when he declared his solo career to be over.[8]

  1. ^ Trucks, Rob (August 9, 2006). "Death to the Pixies (Again?!)". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
  2. ^ When Pixies reunited in 2004, he did not specify whether he was adopting his Black Francis pseudonym again.
  3. ^ "FrankBlack". Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  4. ^ Sisario, 2006. p. 80
  5. ^ Sisario, 2006. p. 30
  6. ^ Keibel, Jeff (November 22, 1997). "Pixies/Frank Black". Rocktropolis. Retrieved October 24, 2006.
  7. ^ "Pixies to begin work on new album". NME. October 24, 2006. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Greene, Andy (October 3, 2013). "The Pixies Keep Rolling, Minus One". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 18, 2019. This is what we do, and my solo career is over. I have no interest in making solo records. For me, this is it.

© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search