ELEVEN @ the Dragonfly

The audience was packed tight into the cracker box of a club (more fitting a "brick by brick" oven), impatiently awaiting the band's arrival. They only somewhat tolerated the opening act, a Bill Nye the Science Guy wannabe. When Frank and Co. came out, they got about three songs deep into the set when they encountered some technical difficulties. Lucky for the people running the venue, they fixed the problem pretty fast. The rest of the set went without such annoyances. The band went on and played a pretty long set, which was nice. Some of the songs on the set list were 'Llano Del Rio' and Hermaphorditos off the new album Dog in the Sand. A couple of the songs almost had a Zydeco flavor with the steel guitar. They also played 'Los Angeles', '21 Reasons' and a couple of covers thrown in for good measure; one was a song Frank said was by Bryan Ferry, called '666'

Frank Black and the Catholics

May 26th At @ Brick by Brick in San Diego Review by Caren Spitler
The next time Mr. Black decides to change the name of his band, it should be "Frank Black and his Fanatics". This is another band to be added to a rare list of bands you may have never seen or heard, but everywhere you go people have something wonderful to say about them. Have you ever encountered a Frank Black fan? If you have, you'd realize two things, first that the man draws devoted followers liking to a near cult type status, and two, in their eyes,the man can do no wrong (musically that is). Not to worry, it's no cult. It's merely a gifted musician who has cultivated and nurtured a loyal group of fans.
After hearing about the man, his band, and the various incarnations for several years now, it's finally time to hear the truth with my own ears and witness the "Frank Black" experience. Frank Black and the Catholics played three sold out shows in Southern California two sold out shows in Hollywood at the Troubadour, and one in San Diego at Brick by Brick.
The audience was packed tight into the cracker box of a club (more fitting a "brick by brick" oven), impatiently awaiting the band's arrival. They only somewhat tolerated the opening act, a Bill Nye the Science Guy wannabe. When Frank and Co. came out, they got about three songs deep into the set when they encountered some technical difficulties. Lucky for the people running the venue, they fixed the problem pretty fast. The rest of the set went without such annoyances. The band went on and played a pretty long set, which was nice. Some of the songs on the set list were 'Llano Del Rio' and Hermaphorditos off the new album Dog in the Sand. A couple of the songs almost had a Zydeco flavor with the steel guitar. They also played 'Los Angeles', '21 Reasons' and a couple of covers thrown in for good measure; one was a song Frank said was by Bryan Ferry, called '666'
Black's musical approach is honest and uncluttered; Franks voice is reassuring and warm. Something about it is very welcoming. His lyrical sensibilities run in the same vein: honest, to the point, and they have a stamp of humor to them with a nice sense of irony. It's music you can get comfortable with.
	It was a joy to see the audience feed off of the band and watch the band in turn deliver a more memorable performance. There is nothing better than a band that connects to the audience in a way that makes them feel like they are participating. The atmosphere that Frank Black brings with him is like sitting around your neighborhood bar with a bunch of good friends singing along to your favorite songs on the jukebox. This rapport with the audience was steady from the first song to the last. Seems everyone sang along to every word, but never to the point where it eclipsed the band as center of the universe.
The score card reads in Frank and his Catholics favor. Musically, they struck a cord with their simplicity, honesty and heart. Lyrically, they intrigued with humor and intelligence. I suggest if there is a store that will let you test spin the new album Dog in the Sand. give it a listen, and if you find Frank Black is your kind of thing, then you'd be smart to head to a show next time Frank Black and the Catholics are in town.



Photos by Lois Razonski
All Photos ©2001 TSLA