While the Pixies are busy in an extensive New York engagement, they have still found time to pay a visit to David Letterman. The Pixies on TV is a rare occasion, so you will definitely want to catch them Tuesday Dec 14 at 11:30 on CBS. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until January's Austin City Limits for your Pixies fix.

The honey's not even dry on Honeycomb, Frank Black's first solo outing since the Cult of Ray, and already there is talk of another disc with 12 original songs to be recorded. The idea is that this would be a second disc for Honeycomb and would feature yet more seasoned musicians.

Jon Tiven, producer of Honeycomb, hints that it may even include, "Members of The Small Faces, The MGs, The Band, Free, Cheap Trick, The Funk Bros. And some guys who played behind Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Al Green, Wynonna, ...". AND, he says, "And the return of Lyle [Workman]."

Honeycomb is tentatively planned for March 2005, though this could easily change as the project becomes yet more ambitious.

Finally, in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times (Florida, USA), Frank was asked, "Are we getting a new album or what?". Unlike every other interview, the answer was not that they haven't thought about it. Rather, he said, "Yeah, I imagine so. Everyone is up for it. But everyone knows I can be kind of hyper, all "Let's go into the studio tonight after the gig!" I think I am smarter than that now. I know not to subject them to that kind of exhausting thing again. We're all waiting for the tour to end. We'll give each other a call and go hang out in the studio."

So there you have it. 2-discs for Honeycomb, a new Pixies album, Frank Black Francis, and a 2-disc compilation of b-sides. Clearly we'll see the 6 sides of Frank Black before we're through 2005.

-Dean

It's been a busy day at FrankBlack.Net! Not only do we have confirmation of a new Pixies album and a very strong indication that there will be a second disc to Honeycomb, but Frank Black himself has just popped in to say he will be answering questions here at 6PM EST.

We're very excited and pleased that he is taking the time to do this. If you have a question you've been burning to ask him, this is your chance.

-Dean

Two items of interest to announce!

First off, more details on the FrankBlackFrancis album have been revealed on Cooking Vinyl's website, including an image of the cover:

They've also got a 'Multimedia E-Card' which plays the FBF version of 'Monkey Gone to Heaven', so check that out for a preview of FB with the Two Pale Boys!

Also, there's apparently going to be a free, live webcast of the Pixies at Austin City Limits at 8:45 CDT time on Saturday (Sept 18th).

My only question...what's 'CDT'?

Go forth now, and suck the life out of that server!

- Dave

Hi all, this just in from SpinArt's email newsletter Spinning Dishes:

Frank Black Francis 2-CD Release Date: October 12

We'll let Pixies and Frank Black & the Catholics frontman speak for himself on this one.

"Sometime back in 1986 I think, the producer for what would become the Pixies first record, Gary Smith, asked me to drop by his apartment in the Allston section of Boston, just down the street from the building I was born in, to play some songs into his cassette walkman. He and the band were scheduled to go into Gary’s studio, the original Fort Apache in the Roxbury section of Boston, the following day to record "Come On Pilgrim", although it did not have a title at that time. Gary wanted to have some audio notes on the songs for the session. We were both excited about the session, to take place over three days; my father had given me the 1000.00 dollars to pay for it. One of the cd’s in this package is that tape. A few years ago a couple of record companies had expressed interest in releasing the tape, kind of a time capsule thing, and I signed some papers.

The project sat around for a couple of years, mostly because my manager, Ken Goes, and I always felt a little uncomfortable about releasing only that tape to the buying public, as it was not a planned performance, a little casual, and very bootleg in sonic quality. Sure, the uberfans would be happy enough about the content, but we both felt that a potential new fan might feel a bit ripped-off. Ken suggested I re-record some of the old repertoire in some new way, especially a well recorded way, so as to balance this product out a bit. I realize some fans or critics might feel like I’m messing with the gospel here, but really these are the reasons for all these recordings here and now.

I first met the Two Pale Boys, Andy and Keith, at a gig some years ago in West Hollywood, the trumpet and guitar members of that trio formed with David Thomas. When David asked me to perform at UCLA as part of his Mirror Man improv-opera in early 2003, Andy and Keith were in the band again, and I asked them to come down on their one day off to record with the Catholics on Show Me Your Tears. The two pale fellows from England offered their studio and input on some undefined project in the undefined future. In the hot summer of 2003, July I think, I went down to the Hackney section of London and belted out the numbers and let the boys do their thing. Those sessions represent the other cd. I enjoy their work, with me or with others. I like these guys a lot. Sure, we’ve messed with the gospel, but I am satisfied with it. "

Frank Black Francis Copenhagen 2004

Yip!!

- Dave

Hi all!

Rumor has it that the Pixies show from Japan a month ago will be available for sale on DiscLive! Only 1,000 copies, so get yours soon!

There’s also news on Pixfo..err..Pitchfork that the Pixies are considering a new album!

Finally, i’ve got word that the Frank Black Francis double-CD (pre-Pixies demos and a recording session with the Pale Boys) should be out some time in or after October..of course we’ll keep you posted!

- Dave

It's been a while, but we're still alive here at FB.net! Hope y'all have been enjoying the summer, or winter if you're not living in the same hemisphere as myself. =)

We've got some winners for the 'Friends Club', including the complete DiscLive Brixton set (thanks once more Jake!!) Click here for all the juicy details!

I'll try and dig up some info on all the upcoming FB releases and let you know what's happening there....check back soon!

- Dave

50,000 watts of good will!

Head over to iTunes to check out the new Pixies song 'Bam Thwok' - it's a fun, upbeat tune with Kim singing, and FB singing along in the background. Let's hope for more!

- Dave

As mentioned yesterday, the four Brixton shows will be available for purchase, online! Check out www.DiscLive.com after 4pm(PST) (or 7pm EST, or midnight GMT, etc..) this Sunday night!!

Or, if you sign-up to the Friends of FrankBlack.net Club before the end of June, you could win a copy of ALL FOUR Brixton shows (special Promo copies)! This is definitely one of the most valuable prizes we've had for the Club. (Thank you Jake from DiscLive!) Membership is only $5 - click here for more info! (And if you sign up before Monday, you'll also be entered into our draw for a Pixies DVD and two copies of the new 'Best Of'.)

Have a great weekend!

- Dave

Pixies' Brixton Shows To Be DiscLived!

Earlier today i received a message from Jake from DiscLive, telling me that he was 'getting on a plane for London', all mysterious like... I was trying to think of a way to post this to the News surreptitiously, but then this press release entered my Inbox, and i was saved the effort! (Props to Disclive for standing up to the monopolistic Clear Channel, who recently purchased patents to similar 'live recording and production' technology.)

Check out the Press Release for more info!

In other news, our Forum has exceeded 5,000 members, woohoo!

- Dave

Hi all, a quick update to let you know that there's less than a week left to win a copy of the new Pixies DVD, or one of two copies of the new Pixies 'Best Of', Wave of Mutilation.

All you've got to do is become a member of the 'Friends of FrankBlack.net Club', $5 gets you in for a year, and that translates into 12 draws!

Click here for all the info!

PixiesMusic.com has arranged to sell advance tickets for selected Pixies shows in cooperation with SCI Ticketing. This should help ensure that fans have adequate access to tickets before they are on sale to the general public. Kudos to Sean and the PixiesMusic gang for getting this set up.

The Sept. 7th Vancouver show (at the Plaza of Nations) is on sale now with the Denver show to be put up later today and more to come.

Click here to see what's available now.

Also, in local news, we finally have a poll feature here at FB.Net. Check it out on our main page.

- Dean

The winner of May's 'Friends of FrankBlack.net Club' prize, a promo copy of the Pixies DiscLive Minneapolis show (for those just coming out of a coma, this is their first show in 12 yrs, and welcome back!) is...... Chris Dreckman! Thanks again to DiscLive for their donation! (On a personal note, the shows sound FANTASTIC, i highly recommend ordering one!)

For June's Friends Club, we'll have three lucky winners! The grande prize is a copy of the Pixies DVD, and two secondary prizes of the soon-to-be-released Pixies 'best-of', "Wave of Mutilation". Click here to find out more about the Club! Only $5 for a year's membership, which gets you into 12 draws!

I'm also happy to mention that the Nashville recordings FB did last month have been reported as sounding [expletive removed] great! Unfortunately that's all i have to tell you. Hopefully we'll see a release in the fall, but that's only my personal speculation.

Of course, you can count on us to keep you posted!

- Dave

As the Pixies wrap up their reunion tour "warm up" dates, and Coachella fast approaches, new dates have been officially released for the fall North American tour.

Without further ado, the latest on the Fall tour, including dates previously confirmed, dates that we had mentioned as likely though unconfirmed, and altogether new dates, in all their officially confirmed glory:

September
04 - Les Schwab Amphitheatre, Bend, OR
06 - Bumbershoot/Memorial Stadium, Seattle, WA
18 - Austin City Limits Festival/Ziker Park, Austin, TX
20 - Mesa Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ (on sale May 7)
24/25 - Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
30 - Magness Arena, Denver, CO

October
08 - USF Sundome, Tampa, FL (on sale May 15)
13/14 - Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
16 - Voodoo Festival, New Orleans, LA
17 - Reliant Arena, Houston, TX (on sale May 15)
19 - Next Stage, Dallas, TX (on sale May 8)

November
10 - Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN (on sale May 1)
11 - Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN
13/16 - Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
20 - State Theatre, Detroit, MI
24 - Arrow Hall, Toronto, Ont
25 - Arrow Hall, Toronto, Ont (on sale April 29)
26 - CEPSUM Arena, Montreal, Que

December
04 - Tweeter Center, Philadelphia, PA

NOTE: Dates in red are sold out.

Thanks to our friends at PixiesMusic for getting us the news while Dave is still sound asleep :).

UPDATE: Check out the Press Release here, as well as our new 'MiscFiles' section, with other previous Press Releases and misc. files.

-Dean

Win a Copy of the Minneapolis DiscLive Recording!

A reminder that you've only got until the end of the April to join the 'Friends of FrankBlack.net Club' and get entered in time for a Promo copy of the Minneapolis DiscLive recording. As you probably know, this is the Pixies first show in 12 years! Thanks to DiscLive for donating this!

Membership is $5 for a year, money goes to help support the site, and you get entered into 12 draws! We can accept Paypal, Credit Cards or International Money Orders, click here for all the info. Thank you for helping out!

Pixies Setlists

We've been keeping track of all the tunes the Pixies have been playing, thanks to our dedicated Gigographer Switchy! Click here to check out all the setlists, how many times each songs been played, representing what albums, and all sorts of other fun stuff.

Photos Wanted: please upload your FB & Pixies pics to our brand new Gallery! Pics from the Victoria show have been added!

Finally, we've got an email list for FB.net News Headlines - if you'd like a short email sent to you when we post new headings, click here to sign up.

That's about it for now, keep an eye open for the new Pixies DVD and 'Best Of', which will be in stores real soon (if they're not already!)

- Dave

Woot! Last night FB.net hosted a chat channel, where several hundred people stopped by (with over 70 people in the channel at one time) to find out what the first Pixies song would be..  Many thanks to Forum member roomloo, who sent us a number of text messages on his cell phone from within the venue, keeping us up-to-date. (Sadly, he couldn't get a signal halfway through the show, and we only got a small portion of the set list..) Still, a lot of fun was had by FB and Pixies fans.

As you probably already know by now, the first song the Pixies played, after 12yrs of separation, was Bone Machine. You can check out the set list, transcript, and a few other neat details from Tuesday night here. As well, another Press Release was sent out highlighting details from the show, as well as announcing yet another Pixies show in Chicago! (A funny side note, in the chat room and Forum people were guessing what song they'd open with, and the last bootleg i'd listened to had 'Into The White' as the opener, so i voted for that. They ended on this song. ;)

If you couldn't make it to the show, and didn't order one of the DiscLive CD's, you still have a chance at hearing the show! The May prize for the 'Friends of FrankBlack.net' Club is a unique promo copy of of this show, click here to find out how to join up and help support FB.net! $5 cheap!

We've also found out who the opening bands for the Canadian portion of the Warm-Up tour will be, thanks Malcolm from SOS Productions:

Winnipeg - Ham
Regina - Despistado
Sask - Junior Pantherz
Edmonton - The Floor
Calgary - The Buzzing Bees*
Victoria - Leeroy Stagger
Vancouver (22nd) - Black Mountain (aka Jerk with a Bomb)
Vancouver (23rd) - Joel RL Phelps with the Secret Three

* not 100%

Click here for the Forum thread to find out the rest of the bands for the Warm Up tour.

Finally, i've set up an email service to keep fans posted on FB.net happenings. If you'd like to get an email when the News page is updated, click here.

That's all for now! We may do this again with the Winnipeg show tonite, check back here later!

- Dave

Lot's of exciting News Items the night before the big show!

Minneapolis Setlist

Thanks to the marvels of modern technology, we'll be posting an up-to-the-minute setlist of the reunited Pixies first show! You might not be able to hear or see them, but you'll know what they're playing! The page is here, and we're inviting people to join us in the #FrankBlack IRC channel, details on the page as well.

Frank Black and the Catholics Bio's

The amazing Dean (aka Cult_of_Frank) has devoted copious amounts of time to updating the Band Bio section, with shiney new bios for Frank, Scott, Rich and McDave - check it out! (Like you can resisit!)

FB.net Photo Gallery

We touched on it a few days ago, but it's fully functional now!  FB.net has a photo gallery for folks to upload their FB-related pics to. Send us your pics!

Pixies DVD Trailer

This was news to me - there's a Real Audio trailer for the Pixies DVD! (To be unleashed May 5th!)

• Higher Bandwidth
• Not-so-high Bandwidth

Hope to catch ya in the IRC channel Tuesday night! I wonder if EsperNet can hold as many people as the Fine Line Music Cafe..

- Dave

That's right - you have one more opportunity to score a copy of the Minneapolis show, and a unique CD at that! Thanks to DiscLive for donating this prize for the Friends of FrankBlack.net Club (for as little as $5, you can help us upgrade our server and more!).

From DiscLive:

DiscLive is pleased to offer FrankBlack.net a copy of the Pixies first reunion concert. This promotional copy, similar to an artist's proof, will be unnumbered.

For fans who won't make it to Minneapolis and who were unable to purchase an advance copy before the discs sold out, this presents the perfect opportunity to get a hold of this limited edition packaging and recording. The limited edition double disc CD will feature a foil-stamped unique cover, and will be one of only a very few promotional copies produced that evening (mostly for the band and management).

DiscLive is a revolution in the concert merchandising and live recording industries. Our service allows fans to pick up a live CD at the venue just minutes after the end of a concert! With our unique mobile mastering and manufacturing facility, DiscLive allows artists and labels to capture an entirely new revenue stream, while allowing fans to own and enjoy professionally recorded concerts previously available only through low-quality tape trading and bootlegs.

Click here for more info, and good luck!

- FB.net Team

Non-stop action at FB.net this week!

Frank Black (frnck blck) stopped by the Forum today to post what appears to be a tracklist of the album he is currently recording in Nashville. NOTE, UPDATED AS OF 04/11:

"honeycomb" (swtiched back, 04/11)

"nashville number system" (changed 04/11)

HIGHWAY TO LOWDOWN
LONE CHILD
ATOM IN MY HEART
SELKIE BRIDE
STRANGE GOODBYE
SAD MAN'S SONG* (added 04/11)
VELVET NIGHTMARE
SING FOR JOY
VIOLET
I BURN TODAY
KISS MY RING
GO FIND YOUR SAINT
SUNDAY SUNNY MILL VALLEY GROOVE DAY* (added 04/11)
WHERE THE WIND IS GOING
MY LIFE IS IN STORAGE / FUNK
HONEYCOMB
I’VE BEEN ALL AROUND THE WORLD
NEEDLE IN MY ARM* (added 04/11)
SONG OF THE SHRIMP
DARK END OF THE STREET

DAN PENN, SPOONER OLDHAM, STEVE CROPPER, DAVID HOOD, REGGIE YOUNG, BUDDY MILLER, AKIL THOMPSON, CHESTER THOMPSON, ANTON FIG, BILLY BLOCK. PRODUCED BY JON TIVEN.

The Forum thread is here. Thanks Frank!

Also, we'll make a bigger announcement of this when we get some more pictures up, but the FB.net Gallery is now operational!

Plus don't forget to sign up to win a promo copy of the Pixies reunion show! (See previous News item!)

- Dave

Our man turns 39 today, Happy Birthday FB!

- The FB.net Team

Yet another Press Release has been sent out, and we're finally starting to see the Fall US/Canada tour take shape.

Click here to read the entire Press Release, and below are the 'anchor' dates, expect more soon!

September
4      Les Schwab Amphitheatre, Bend, OR  (on sale Friday, April 17)
 6      Bumbershoot, Seattle, WA  (on sale March 24)
18     Austin City Limits, Austin, TX  (on sale Saturday, April 24)

October
14      Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA  (on sale Friday, April 9)

November
11      Wilkins Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN  (on sale Saturday, April 17)
13      Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL  (on sale Saturday, April 10)
24      Arrow Hall, Toronto, Ont.  CANADA  (on sale Thursday, April 15)

In other news, the Pixies have appeared on the first cover of a magazine - Zero, a Bay Area arts publication (as i understand it, correct me if i'm wrong!)

That's all we got for you tonite!

- Dave

Only a day after we announced that Disc Live would be recording and selling limited quantities of the Pixies' warm-up tour, the 500 presale discs from the band's first stop in Minneapolis has sold out. According to Jake Walker, co-founder and VP of Technology at Disc Live, the discs have been selling faster than they've ever seen them go and sold out in record time.

This is all the more interesting as the capacity of the Fine Line in Minneapolis is little more than 700.

There are still 500 discs available on a first-come first-served basis at the venue itself, so anyone at the actual show should be able to obtain one.

Walker also confirmed that there are at present no plans to record the European shows, though they hope to be able to do so in the future.

April Friends Club Winner!

"Blue Cadet3" is the lucky winner of April's prize: a copy the Nadine CD single from the UK. Thanks to Cooking Vinyl for supplying us with several!

We'll be announcing the May prize soon. In the mean time, if you'd like to help out the site and become a Friends of FrankBlack.net Club member and be entered into our monthly draw, click here. Only $5 - cheap! ($50 for a lifetime membership!)

Buy me a soda?

- Dave

Jim (AKA El Barto) has made significant updates to his pièce de résistance - the Frank Black Song Database!

In it you'll find a complete discography, tracklistings, CD covers, lyrics, and whatever info he could dig up about each song.

Big thanks to Fu Manchu for programming this baby, and to Sarah (Mereubu) for getting the lyrics.

Dally not - click here!

- Dave (who hopes this is the last news item for the day!)

No joke! According to this article on Billboard, you'll have an opportunity to purchase a recording of the Pixies show 15 minutes after the show is finished! (Very quick mastering and production crew!) It will also include original artwork from the show.

You'll also be able to order one of 500 copies from the company producing this, called Disc Live. Sign-up now if you want a copy! They'll be following the Pixies through the Warm-Up Tour, and they'll be at Coachella as well.

- Dave

FB in Nashville

That's right, 'lil sand doggies, FB will be recording in Nashville for the first week of April. It'll be his last solo effort before the beginning of the big tour with that band he used to be in.

FB in GQ (everywhere else)

FB appears in the April issue of GQ, and there appears to be a PDF of that right here.

April 'Friends Club' Draw

Oops - can't believe i left this for so long! The FB.net Friends Club draw for April will be a copy of the UK Nadine single, donated by Cooking Vinyl. Click here for last-minute info on signing up!

- Dave

Hi all, as to be expected, the latest official Press Release for the Pixies is to be found here, and lists the following European dates as confirmed:

May
26      Kaplakrika, Reykjavik, Iceland
28      Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain  (headline)
29      Festimad, Madrid, Spain  (festival)
30      Pinkpop Festival, Landgraaf, Holland  (festival)

June
2-5     Brixton Academy, London, England  (headline dates)
 7       Zenith, Paris, France  (headline)
10      Aerodome, Wiener Neustadt, Austria  (festival)
11      Super Bock Super rock, Lisbon, Portugal  (festival)
12      Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland  (with Red Hot Chili Peppers)
14      Zenith, Paris France  (headline)
15      Park des Princes, Paris France  (with Red Hot Chili Peppers)
17      Hultsfred, Hultsfred, Sweden  (festival)
19      Heineken Jammin', Bologna, Italy  (festival)
20      Krizanke Monastery, Ljubljana, Slovenia  
21      Rockwave, Athens, Greece
25      Hurricane, Scheesel, Germany  (festival)
26      Southside, Neuhausen, Germany  (festival)
29      Wuhlheide, Berlin, Germany  (headline)

July
2       Roskilde, Roskilde, Denmark  (festival)
 3       Les Eurockeenes, Belfort, France  (festival)
 4       Werchter, Werchter, Belgium  (festival)
 8       Quart, Kristiansand, Norway  (headline)
11      T in the Park, Balado, Scotland  (festival)

August
21      V 2004, Stafford, England
22      V 2004, Chelmsford, England

After this, they will be headlining Bumbershoot in Seattle on Monday, September 6th.

Keep on rockin' on the Planet of Sound!

- Dave

Ooops..

It only took 3 minutes for an accidentally leaked 'secret' Pixies show to be sold out. The show is to take place on April 13th, a day before their warm-up tour officially begins, at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

It is my understanding that this show was not intended to be announced, with tickets only being sold one or two days before the show. However, there was a misunderstanding between the Pixies' agent and the club.

It is not clear whether this is one in a series of secret shows before the Pixies begin their warmup or simply a one-off show, but as always, we'll do our best to keep you apprised.

- Dave

4AD has listed the the release date of the upcoming and hotly anticipated Pixies DVD as May 3/2004, to be released concurrently with Wave of Mutilation - The Best Of.

While rumours are circulating that the Canada/US release is slated for the following day, that remains as yet unconfirmed. In lieu of this confirmation, have a peek at the artwork for the upcoming best-of and the DVD with contents:

1) Live (at the Town and Country Club)

The Holiday Song, Nimrod’s Son, Bone Machine, Levitate Me, Ed Is Dead, Where Is My Mind, Caribou, Something Against You, Hey, Gigantic, I’ve Been Tired, Vamos, In Heaven, Tony’s Theme, Wild Honey Pie

2) Music Videos

Monkey Gone To Heaven, Here Comes Your Man, Velouria, Dig For Fire/Allison, Alec Eiffel, Head On, Debaser

3) On The Road

4) Gouge Documentary

The last Pixies show on the North American warm-up tour has sold out. The Prairieland, in Saskatoon, Canada, which doubled its capacity due to the high demand for tickets, has completely filled the expanded venue.

If you didn't catch them on their warm-up tour, it's likely that we'll be receiving information on additional dates sometime soon, so come in and get comfortable while you wait.

Hey everyone, the much-anticipated winner of the Pixies DVD draw is "the_atomic_ned" - congratulations!

Also, the 'bonus' prize is an 8"x10" photo of FrankBlack, click here for the ten lucky winners.

April's prize has not yet been determined...more soon tho!

- Dave

Friends of FrankBlack.net Club!

You've only got a week left to enter to win a Pixies DVD (which will be sent to you when they're finished!)

The Friends Club was started to raise funds for the site, to help pay for hosting and possible future upgrades. In return, we have a bunch of cool items to raffle off.

Membership is only $5 (pay with Paypal or International Money Order) - click here for more info, and to sign up if you haven't!

Pixies Tickets in Winnipeg

This was sent from a fan in Winnipeg,

I wanted to inform all Pixies ticket holders for the Winnipeg Show on April 14/04 (First Show of the Tour) that all Online/Mail orders have been delayed due to intense verification/authorization of all accounts. As you know this show sold-out in a record breaking 3 1/2 mins!

TM Winnipeg is delaying all accounts so that they can suss-out all the scalpers,over limiters and ebayers resellers. Please be patience! Legitimate orders will be mailed out beginning Feb. 27th. The Customer service officials at Ticketmaster Manitoba are very helpful and are making sure everyone had fair access to this historic event.

I'll try to keep you posted on this as things transpire.

Also, there are tickets still available for the Saskatoon show, last i checked!

- Dave

Pixies Update

Here's the latest in our Official Word™ series:

The Pixies have rehearsed and they will rehearse again in March in a secret location in Los Angeles.

Yes, they have decided which tunes they are doing. For the most part, they'll be doing Pixies' tunes.

As for new songs, there's a Latvian lullaby, a Czech dirge and a Bulgarian ballad.

New Pixies Press Release

This came in just moments ago: PIXIES "WARM UP" CONCERT DATES SELL OUT

Pixies Tickets Action in Victoria, BC

With a little too much spare time and reporter in my blood, I chronicled the ticket sales here in Victoria, check out the action here.

Gouge away!

- Dave

PIXIES ANNOUNCE ON-SALE DATES, TICKET PRICES, FOR NORTH AMERICAN "WARM UP" DATES

Most Canadian dates will start selling between 9:30 and 10am local time on Saturday, February 21st, except Saskatoon, who will have to wait until 2pm. Go figure!

Spokane and Boise will be on sale at 10am on the 20th, Eugene on the 21st, and Davis will keep fans waiting until March 1st.

Ticket sales locations will vary from place to place, and many will be available at Ticketmaster.

The official Press Release, including local prices, can be read here.

- Dave

PIXIES TOUR DATES

Without further delay, here are the dates for the warm-up tour!!!

APRIL

14      Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB  CANADA
15      Doris Knight Ballroom, Regina, SK  CANADA
17      Prairieland, Saskatoon, SK  CANADA
18      Red's, Edmonton, AB  CANADA
19      MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB  CANADA
21      Victoria Curling Club, Victoria, BC  CANADA
22-23 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC  CANADA
24      Big Easy, Spokane, WA
25      The Big Easy, Boise, ID
27      MacDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR
29      Freeborn Hall, Davis, CA

MAY

1      Coachella Festival, Indio, CA

Click here to read the entire Press Release on this, we'll have the European dates soon.

See you in Victoria and Vancouver - woohoo!

- Dave

ADDITIONALLY: We do not know when tickets will go on sale for a particular show, this is too much info for our volunteers to keep track of. Please contact the venue for this information in your area. There might be postings in the Forum as well. Thanks!

For those who are interested, here is the Press Release sent out today to announce the Pixies Reunion.

We'll have the official, confirmed tour dates here soon.

Head back into the light...

- Dave

Oopie - there is a very important and exciting correction to yesterday's announcement:

The Pixies will begin their 'warm-up' tour in Canada and the US, which will lead to Coachella, after which they'll be heading off the continent! Sorry for the mix-up!

Once more, we'll post the tour dates here when we have the Official Word™ on them.

Don't stray too far..

- Dave

This is it folks - we have the Official Word™ on the Pixies Reunion!

The group is indeed reforming, and they'll be doing a 'warm-up' tour beginning in April that will lead up to the much-anticipated Coachella festival. Touring will continue afterwards, through the US and Canada. It is a safe bet Europe will follow. Of course, you can expect to see the dates and locations as soon as we know.

Lucky for us, it appears some pigs do fly! More soon on the Amazing Flying Pigxies!

- Dave

In December we started the 'Friends of FrankBlack.net Club' to help the owner of the server out (and pay for other upgrades to the site), and part of this is a monthly draw! Anyone can become a 'Friend of FB.net' and perhaps even win fabulous prizes, all for the super-low price of $5! (That's cheap!)

For the February draw, we have copies of our fan-made Tribute Albums to Mr. December, "KingPhilbert"! (He had his # drawn in December as well, congrats!)

For March's draw we have an exceptionally desirable item - one copy of the Pixies DVD. Perhaps even before it makes it to the stores! Hurry up and join the FB.net Friends Club! (Paypal and International Money Orders accepted.)

And of course I still have no definitive word on the the Pixies reunion, but you can count on me to give you the goods when the goods have been got. Or gotten.

- Dave

Initial Info On Upcoming FB Album: "Frank Black Francis"

In the latest spinART email newsletter, they quietly mention that FB's next release will be titled 'Frank Black Francis', and will be a double-CD to be released in April. Yip!!

Sign up to Spinning Dishes here.

Needless to say, I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

- Reporter Dave

Yep, you might be reading this here first: you can now purchase and download the Oddballs album off of iTunes! Hurray for the Interweb!

Rumours...rumours...

I guess I wasn't very clear in the previous news update due to the number of messages I've since been sent. (People sending me the same news items over and over..)

I can assure you we'll post the details about the Pixies reunion when we know for sure. To clarify, what you've read on Billboard, NME, MTV, etc, are (here we go!) UNSUBSTANTIATED, despite the number of times they write 'official' and 'confirmed'.

Note how they're the only ones telling us it's 'confirmed'. No one else is! No record labels, no managers, not Frank Black, not Kim Deal... Kinda strange that, ain't it?

I promise you it isn't 'official' at this point, and we won't post it here until we know it is.

Now go and download Oddballs. =)

- Dave

PIXIES REUNION RUMOURS?

Yes - we know about the rumours.

Yes - we are excited. Look: !!!!!!!!!!!!

No, we haven't seen any concrete evidence, but you can bet your sweet flying Pigxies we'll post something as soon as we can officially confirm/deny the rumours.

FRIENDS CLUB FEBRUARY DRAW

The 'Friends of FrankBlack.net Club' was set up in December to help pay for the server. Not only are you helping out, but you can also win great prizes every month!

For February, we'll be giving away a copy of each of the Tribute Albums - so hurry up and sign up! Membership is only $5 - that's cheap!

Keep on truckin',

- Dave

Once again I have heard from a close and reliable source of our protagonist, Frank Black, and here is the lastest Official Word™ on the Pixies reunion:

For years, when asked if and when the Pixies would get back together, my stock answer would be : "When pigs fly." Then this happened :

It was a warm September day and in the midst of the afternoon's heat came a loud whining engine noise from above. This occurs quite often during the warm months. It's usually a sea plane or a helicopter; both of which fly low in these parts. Normally, when this happens, the engine sound comes and goes rather quickly. But this time, I wasn't experiencing the usual doppler effect; you know, the high pitch sound of the engine as the air craft approaches, followed by a lower pitch sound as it moves away.

This sound was different; it seemed to linger over the house at an even pitch. After more than a few seconds of this, I went outside to investigate and there, seemingly hovering above my house, was the Goodyear blimp. It lumbered along slowly and was so low in the sky I could see the people in the gondola underneath. It looked like a giant pig, not unlike the mammoth floating pig that Pink Floyd had tethered to a large building in London years ago. I'd see it whenever I took the train out to Wandsworth.

Neither the blimp nor the Pink Floyd pig had wings. Still, they floated in air. And so, now, I ask myself : can pigs fly?

You heard it here first!

Now to figure out it could mean..