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Frank Black Says Record Labels Aren't 'Vital, Creative or Interesting'
- Posted on Jul 23rd 2009 11:00AM by Benjy Eisen
When alternative music gained momentum in the early '90s, many artists migrated from major labels to smaller, boutique ones. Very often, the smaller label or imprint would actually be distributed -- and sometimes even owned -- by a major. Nonetheless, the movement towards "independent" labels eventually spawned the term "indie rock" and, from that, the new school of alternative rockers. The Pixies, however, are part of the old school. During their reign, the band was signed to Elektra Records, but despite plenty of recent activity, they haven't released a new studio album since 1991's 'Trompe le Monde.' As Spinner recently reported, Pixies leader Frank Black (aka Black Francis) isn't interested in forming his own imprint, even after many of his peers have successfully gone down that road. Meanwhile, if you haven't noticed, the labels have themselves in a bit of a mess right now.
Francis offers his theory as to why that is. "Labels are more concerned with their own survival than they are with the distribution of music and, of course, the irony of that is that if they would just concern themselves more with the distribution of music, a lot of their problems would solve themselves, I think," Black tells Spinner. "But because there's so much reticence, they're so nervous trying to protect what few assets they have left, they're so caught up in that that they can't really be vital or creative or interesting. They can't get out of their rut. They know it's over, but they don't know how to start up with a new fresh page."
Things are no longer the way they were during the Pixies heyday, but Francis seems to think that the labels are still riding that wave and that therein lies the problem. With home runs on MTV and the mainstreaming of alternative rock, labels were seeing massive profits but they weren't reinvesting or researching new technologies, believes Francis. "There's so much momentum from that period -- let's say the late 80s throughout the 90s -- there's so much of that energy still going on that now, even though all the record businesses have kind of fallen flat, they haven't caught up with themselves yet," he says. "They're the naked emperor, kind of."
We're not sure they're exactly like that, Francis, but we bet they'd still offer the Pixies a deal if you so much as knocked. Just sayin'.
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kaiju
Instead of just slamming those who don't know who he is, let's encourage them to check out some of the best of the Pixies. hell, I envy anyone unfamiliar with their work--you're in for a treat.
A few suggested songs-- Velouria, Where is My Mind, Gigantic, Gouge Away, Head On....so many. One of the few bands where it's worth actually buying the albums, there's a good chance you'll find a song that becomes a personal favorite.
Ditto Frank Black's first two solo albums, Frank Black and Teenager of the Year.
punkangel0014
I believe the right people are going out of business. They have been greedy and didn't think about the future. I have written a blog about my personal experience with the sketchy labels:
http://gonzoxinjustice.livejournal.com/
don swartzell
I am just another IDIOT that doesnt know who the hell this guy is. I can tell that with a screen name like "Hott mama" you are certainly an intellectual
July 24 2009 at 11:43 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
philsartdotcom
Pixies. One of the best bands ever. Who ever can pick up two guitars, a bass and a set of drums and do something with them has got something. When you can get people to get off their butts to form their own bands you are inspiration. Pixies were monsterous. Anyone with opinions to the contrary either have heard only radio airplay of them, never got into the records or are simply bereft of a soul.
July 24 2009 at 10:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
amee
This site is so full of adds that its worthless!!
July 24 2009 at 10:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
turtle
Record label aren't "vital, creative or interesting"? Really?? They haven't been since the days of John Hammond who introduced Bob Dylan's music to the suits at Columbia records. The labels come upon really great sounding or innovative bands or solo artists by mistake and then do nothing but try to find the next (fill in the blank). The only thing the big labels had going for them was distribution. Now they don't have the upper hand in that either.
July 24 2009 at 7:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Hugh Jassol
4 replies to Hugh Jassol's comment
Frank Black may have forgotten another important detail: No one knows who the hell he is!
July 24 2009 at 7:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Reverend Jacques
Frank Black may have forgotten one important detail. With the increasing availability of recording software, as well as the presence of free outlets such as YouTube and MySpace, anyone can get into the music business. The record labels and mainstream radio should have caught on and ride the wave by now, but due to laziness, complacency, arrogance or simple confusion, they are slowly becoming irrelevant. Some of the best artists are one that simply exist on a blog or channel.
July 24 2009 at 3:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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