What a difference two years makes: one of the first things we did at Blogcritics was an email interview with Frank Black, formerly Black Francis, formerly and now once-againly Charles Thompson. Now that the Pixies have quite successfully reunited, a look at that interview is entertaining:
- Eric Olsen: You have used changes in time signature throughout your songwriting career, often in the form of foreshortening at the end of a phrase. The effect for me is to propel the song forward - what is your intended effect or affect?
Frank Black: I have no intention. The weirder the time signature is generally speaking, the least self-conscious I've been about it. I find that 4/4 just gets in
my way sometimes.
Amber Nussbaum: If you could ban one musical instrument from existence, what would it be and why?
FB: Hmmm. Kind of an evil question, but I'll try. Double-necked guitars for sure.
AN: If you could decry any band that's playing music today, who would it be and why?
FB: Oh, gee. You want me to be mean? I just can't. Maybe in a private conversation, but not here. I've made casual but negative comments before about other artists, and have always regretted it. Let it sufffice to say that there are oh so many bands that are decried behind closed doors.
AN: Hey, what can I say. I figure you guys have got "Who are your biggest influences?" covered.
FB: Did I mention Leon Russell?
Shawn: I know you've been asked about Pixies reunions in every interview since 1992 and you general response is "I don't think so" but how about a David Lovering (sans magic), Joey Santiago, Frank Black tour? You can call yourselves "Pixie"
FB: Oh the reviewers will love that. I prefer to let the Pixies live where they are in the past.
Shawn: Or how about a Mike Watt, Frank Black, J. Mascis ubergroup?
FB: More like an uberunderdog group. Do I qualify for uber?I was just asked about joining an ubergroup. It's a secret for now.
David: Why release two albums concurrently this year rather than merging two very good albums' content into one great, unforgettable album?
FB: What are you saying? Which songs don't you like?
Scott Rosenberg: "The St. Francis Dam Disaster" (from Dog in the Sand) is elemental and moving. It feels like a folk song that was written 100 years ago, and I know it's based on a real-life event — the bursting of a dam north of L.A. in the early years of the 20th century. Can you tell us how you came to write the song?
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