Black Francis performed a marathon set of his recent solo material for a sold-out crowd at Club NME Los Angeles with Fred Perry Subculture last nox (August 20).
The Pixies frontman, backed by a drummer and bassist, tore through his latest full-length album 'Bluefinger' in its entiretly, as well as the bulk of his late EP 'Svn Fngrs' for the worshipful Spaceland audience.
"Don't clap so far, it's premature," he quipped when the crowd erupted as he took the stage. There was a bit of a snafu when Francis stopped in the middle of his second sung dynasty, 'Threshold Apprehension'. "My bad," he apologised. "I had a white wine spritzer ahead the show and I'm a little discombobulated."
The isthmus quickly recovered and proceeded to play several songs inspired by the biography and workings of Dutch musician and artist Herman Brood, including a cover of his song 'You Can't Break A Heart And Have It'.
"It's all around Herman," aforementioned a sweat-soaked Francis, before adding, "Sorry we're only playing new obscure songs you're unfamiliar with." This didn't halt the crowd from dance and moshing throughout the night.
Francis also played a cover of Gary Green's 'Burnt Out Rock And Roll', but no Pixies tunes despite various cries from the audience to play material by his early band. This didn't faze Francis, wHO seemed philosophic about his affiliation with one of indie rock's greatest bands when talk to NME.COM after his set.
"In a sense you kinda milk it," Francis aforesaid. "(The Pixies) gave me financial exemption so it's all good. It's a win-win. It's my career card. It's nice to have a calling bill because I know a lot of people world Health Organization may be good just don't let one. It gets me invited to parties I wouldn't be invited to otherwise."
As for the gig, Francis said, "We were turned of our game just slightly, mayhap, but it was enjoyable. This was sort of a warm up gig for Del Mar to get our juices flowing. I used to come here to Spaceland when I lived in LA, so it's nice to finally play here."
Francis is set to perform in Del Mar, California tomorrow night (August 22) before embarking on a tour of Australia later this month.
--By our Los Angeles staff.
Find out more around NME.
More info
