So I’m flipping through the online pages of the Statesman this morning–not generally something that gets my pulse racing — and I come across this story about a couple who is debuting a new band at the Space tomorrow night.
OMG it’s Frank Black of the Pixies!
OMG OMG OMG!
The new band is called Grand Duchy and it includes his adorable, ahem, Pixie-haired wife, mother of his children, on vocals.
Apparently Black met his future wife at a show in Eugene a couple of years ago while he was still touring as Frank Black and the Catholics. They started collaborating — on music, and then on the creation of three littlest fans who tour with them with the help of a “Rock Nanny.”
I have absolutely no idea why Black would be debuting his new band in Salem. The article doesn’t really answer that question… it is framed as a love story and a family yarn, and that’s fitting, considering the dominating meme in Salem.
But I do think we could come up with tons of reasons to choose the Space. It’s intimate, it’s a little rough around the edges, and it’s kind of an under-the-radar venue, making it a great space — har har — for experimentation and trying things out on crowds.
Congratulations, Salem, you finally found something to make me skip watching LOST.
Frank Black has a lot of friends in Salem. He’s good friends with the owner of Guitar Castle and has played shows there before. He recorded the band Art Brut here in Salem and Art Brut played a couple shows at The Space while they were here. Another big reason for coming up to salem use to be that he was friends with Larry Norman, whom passed away recently, lived here, andhe was a friend and musical influence. So now you have a little background on ‘why salem?’
Thank you! That is certainly illuminating. I had heard that the Guitar Castle owner was hugely influential.
There are a few reasons why he comes up to Salem. Larry Norman was a friend and musical influence and he lived in Salem. Larry passed away recently. He also is friends with the owner of Guitar Castle and has played shows there before too. Most recently, Frank produced he band Art Brut here in town and they played The Space a couple times while they were recording. So now you have a little idea of “Why Salem?”
whoops, I though my first comment didn’t post from my G1 phone, so I wrote it again from my computer. Oh Well
No worries. I could erase the second post, but I like to see how you tell the story twice…
brian is correct, and charles and his family now live in eugene, so, not too far away. they rehearse for tours and recorded his last (couple?) solo albums at a studio here in salem, as well. we are so lucky, yes? i totally want to go hear their set tomorrow night!
Oh boy. Now THAT’S a clever title for today’s blog.