Alt Rock Demigod Black Francis (Frank Black, Pixies)

Name someone who has had more influence over the flow of modern rock -- where noise and rhythm meet mystery and beauty -- over the last 25 years than Charles Thomson, aka Black Francis, aka Frank Black.

Black Francis is the stage name adopted by Thompson during his years of global domination with the Pixies, from the group's '86 formation in Boston until 1993 when the winds of change blew. (And oh, was there joy in Mudville when the Pixies reuned and toured anew beginning in 2004!)

Thompson's next nom de rock was as Frank Black, often in the bandleading context of Frank Black and the Catholics. Thompson released many a wondrous album under his Frank Black moniker, demonstrating an ear for skewed but perfect rock songsmanship.

He returned to the Black Francis name for '07's rocking Bluefinger, a concept album about the life and death of Dutch painter/rocker Herman Brood.

Still working under as Black Francis, he released the sexually charged NonStopErotik in 2010. Abbabubba, a B-sides and demos collection, arrived in 2011, along with The Golem, Francis' score for the 1920 silent film of the same name.

Rejoice! Black Francis is hitting the road this very week with Reid Paley:

02.08 -  Hudson, NY - Club Helsinki
02.09 - Ithaca, NY - The Haunt
02.10 - Harrisburg, PA - Abbey Bar
02.12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Club Cafe
02.14 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge
02.16 -  Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle
02.18 - Chapel Hill, NC - Cat’s Cradle
02.19 - Charlottesville, VA - The Southern
02.20 - Sellersville, PA - Sellersville Theater
02.21 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwells,
02.22 - Bordenton, NJ - The Record Collector