screenshot of Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles addressing the intimate audience
screenshot of Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles addressing the intimate audience

Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles Thompson IV Reanimate the Bay State, Sierra Grille, Northampton MA April 5, 2018

Story, photos, and video by Kelly D

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Thanks to a hot tip from a few pals of mine, I learned the lead singer of seminal alt-rock band Pixies was playing a secret set on Thursday night. Depending on what project he’s in, he goes by a couple different monikers: Black Francis in Pixies, Frank Black as a solo project or with Frank Black and the Catholics, or simply Charles Michael Kittredge Thompson IV. . . Most people that evening referred to him as “Charles.”

Check out my review of Dinosaur Jr.’s secret show in Amherst back in September 2017 HERE.

The surprise set was part of a show featuring local prog outfit Bunnies, to celebrate the release of their new LP. Other bands on the bill were dreamy space rock band Carinae and Pigeons. I stayed only to catch Carinae, who played directly after Charles, but I heard Pigeons and Bunnies killed it. https://youtu.be/lnvA7xwUlm0 In his seven-song set, Charles ran the gamut of his career, playing solo stuff, a few tunes from Frank Black and the Catholics, and two Pixies songs. He seemed relaxed and humorous, alluding to Jethro Tull as one of his favorite prog bands (a fact that pleased my friend John and me greatly) and beginning the evening by announcing that the tiny dining room reeked of perfume and he was the one to blame. To really make the night perfect, those of us in the crowd were treated to an as yet unreleased song that doesn’t even have an official name yet. https://youtu.be/KwdhNqHK6ac Didn’t get to make this intimate performance? Lucky for you, I got the whole set on video and even recorded it for your aural pleasure. Please enjoy! https://youtu.be/tI8nFldqpaM

Setlist:

  • Los Angeles (Frank Black)
  • All My Ghosts (Frank Black and the Catholics)
  • Wave of Mutilation (Pixies)
  • The Swimmer (Frank Black)
  • Headache (Frank Black)
  • Six Sixty-six (Frank Black and the Catholics)
  • New untitled song (Please Don’t Go?) (Pixies?)
  • Broken Face (Pixies)

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