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Frank Black Revives His Black Francis Alter Ego

After The Pixies broke up in 1993, front man Black Francis reverted to using his real name, Frank Black, and embarked on a successful solo career. Even when The Pixies reunited, Black tended to avoid his old stage moniker. But that's all about to change. Black Francis is back, and he's set to release a solo album, titled Bluefinger, on Cooking Vinyl Records on September 11.

"I privately went back to the old stage name, if that even makes any sense, almost as a joke," Black explained in a press release. "I couldn't get The Pixies back into a studio, but I would transform into my alter ego of yesteryear. I spoke the magic syllables aloud and nothing happened; just as I thought. Soon after, my new manager asked me for a bonus track for a 'best of' compilation to be released later in the year. And as I prepared for the session, I became (honestly) gripped by the spirit of Herman Brood, and my bonus track expanded into an 11 song record called BLUEFINGER in just a few days. Thank you Herman. You were at the distant edge of my vision for years when suddenly I was under your influence like a cloud of opium, like the scent of the house of the rising sun. Bliss. Bliss. Bliss. I had spoken the magical name and nothing had happened, but I was impatient, and like so many people, I thought the magic would reveal itself in an instant, as depicted in films. Magic is more subtle. And Herman Brood did turn me back into BLACK FRANCIS. Funny how things work out. You just never know."

For those of you left scratching your heads over all of this, it might help you to know that Herman Brood was an eccentric Dutch painter and musician who committed suicide in 2001 by jumping off the roof of the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. Okay, maybe that doesn't help. The important thing to know is, however it happened, Frank Black has once again donned his Black Francis persona, and that can only be good news for Pixies fans.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.31.07