Pixies Black Francis not planning further solo albums

By
( )
published

Pixies leader Black Francis says he’s happier channelling his “creative energy” into painting rather than recording more solo albums

Black Francis
Black Francis (Image credit: Getty)

Pixies leader Black Francis says he doesn’t think he’ll record further solo albums.

His last release outside of Pixies was 2011’s Paley & Francis which he recorded with Reid Paley, and his last full solo record was NonStopErotik in 2010.

And as Pixies prepare to launch their sixth album Head Carrier on September 30, Francis – aka Charles Thompson – says he can’t foresee himself releasing further solo material.

He tells Rolling Stone: “I can’t really justify it. It takes a lot of energy, ultimately, to put out a record. Then people want you to go on tour to promote it.

“Pixies are pretty successful in the touring realm. I can’t really say, ‘OK, kids, I’m going on tour again, bye. But this time I’m not going to make any money. I’m just doing it because I’m an artist.’

“It just doesn’t feel right. It kind of goes up against my more blue-collar outlook. And I paint. If I have extra creative energy, I try to direct it there. And that doesn’t interfere with my musical career.”

Pixies will head out on the road across Europe in November – and asked whether the band had plans for shows in the US, Francis hints it could happen.

He continues: “I suppose so. I don’t know what the dates are yet. But I guess we’ve played a lot around the States in the last couple of years, so I guess we’re naturally avoiding it at the moment just because that’s what you do in showbiz.”

In July, Francis confirmed that new track All I Think About Now is a “thank you letter” to former bassist Kim Deal. Last month, Pixies issued a stream of Head Carrier track Talent.

The Head Carrier cover art

The Head Carrier cover art

Pixies Head Carrier tracklist

  1. Head Carrier
  2. Classic Masher
  3. Baal’s Back
  4. Might As Well Be Gone
  5. Oona
  6. Talent
  7. Tenement Song
  8. Bel Esprit
  9. All I Think About Now
  10. Um Chagga Lagga
  11. Plaster Of Paris
  12. All The Saints

Pixies covered by apparently demented collection of animals

Pixies 2016 tour dates

Nov 15: Vienna Stadthalle, Austria
Nov 16: Poznan Hala Arena, Poland
Nov 17: Prague Forum Karlin, Czech Republic
Nov 18: Montreux Auditorium Stravinski, Switzerland
Nov 20: Barcelona Sant Jordi Club, Spain
Nov 21: Porto Coliseu, Portugal
Nov 23: Paris Zenith, France
Nov 25: Antwerp Lotto, Belgium
Nov 27: Amsterdam HMH, Netherlands
Nov 28: London O2 Academy Brixton
Nov 29: London O2 Academy Brixton
Nov 30: Leeds Academy
Dec 02: Glasgow Barrowland
Dec 03: Newcastle Academy
Dec 04: Manchester Apollo
Dec 06: London O2 Brixton Academy, UK
Dec 07: Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, UK
Dec 08: Birmingham Academy, UK

Scott Munro
Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.