Person
Frank Black
Boston, Massachusetts
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 al…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
- 2026
-
2024
Pixies - Rock en Seine 2024
Movie Self
-
2023
Pixies - Olympia, Paris
Movie Self
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2021
Freakscene: The Story of Dinosaur Jr.
Movie himself
-
2016
Unknown Brood
Movie
-
2014
Pixies - Lollapalooza Argentina 2014
Movie Himself
- 2013
- 2013
- 2013
-
2013
Sound City
Movie Self
-
2011
Berlin Live
TV show Self - Performer
-
2009
The Magnificent Tati
Movie Self
-
2008
NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
TV show Self
-
2007
Lil' Bush
TV show Lil' Satan (voice)
-
2007
Seven Ages of Rock
TV show Self
-
2007
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
TV show Self (voice)
More credits
- 2006
-
2006
Pixies - Acoustic : Live In Newport
Movie himself
-
2006
Coachella
Movie Self - Pixies
- 2006
-
2006
loudQUIETloud: A Film About the Pixies
Movie Himself
-
2005
Pixies - Sell Out
Movie Himself
-
2005
Pixies - Rock en Seine 2005
Movie Black Francis
-
2004
Pixies: Gouge
Movie Frank Black
-
2003
Placebo: Soulmates Never Die: Live in Paris 2003
Movie vocal / guitar
-
2003
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
Movie Self
-
1997
David Bowie & Friends: A Very Special Birthday Celebration
Movie Self - Special Guest
-
1997
David Bowie: An Earthling at 50
Movie Self - Live on Stage with Bowie
-
1994
Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos
Movie Self
- 1991
-
1990
Pixies: Live in Utrecht
Movie
-
1990
The Word
TV show
-
1988
Pixies: Live at The Town & Country
Movie Black Francis
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—
Pixies - BBC 6 Music Festival 2022
Movie Self
