Frank Black discusses “Headache”

With a music career that spans nearly 30 years, more than 25 albums with the Pixies and alone, and too many incredible riffs to count, picking just one Frank Black song to talk about was incredibly difficult. But when The A.V. Club called upon Frank-real name Charles Thompson-to ring in another batch of One Track Mind, “Headache” seemed like a natural choice. The single from 1994’s Teenager Of The Year was his biggest hit as a solo artist, solidifying his transition from leading one of the most-revered cult bands in music history into a career that’s endured decades of shifting tastes and trends. “Headache” embodies all of the off-kilter charm and undeniable catchiness that’s made Thompson’s work so timeless, even as he’s aged (gracefully) into a family man living in Amherst, Massachusetts, back where the seeds of the Pixies were first planted all those years ago. We visited Thompson in the nearby town of Easthampton-home to Eastworks, a sprawling industrial warehouse that’s been converted into artists’ spaces-to talk “Headache,” and to get a glimpse inside the head where it began.
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[@antonnym214]

Frank seems very humble for how great he actually is. He’s very likable! And that tune is beyond brilliant.

[@nwo4life708]

Absolute gem of a guy, so humble and responsible for some of the greatest songs ever and the creator of quiet loud quiet. True genius.

[@Tauren110]

Robert Russell hes infamously one of the least humble indie rock stars. His unhumbleness and ego mainly led to the original break up of the Pixies and kind of why Kim quit. He was a fairly mean control freak and he still doesnt let other members write songs. I mean he seems way better now and is sortve humble but in some interviews and stuff his ego still definitely shows.

[@thytoe]

@@Tauren110 Seems a lot of band leads form a big ego and have this problem. Billy Corgan, David Byrne and Frank Black to name a few.

[@dajmasta94]

I mean...”Quiet, loud, Quiet” is basically just describing dynamics which has always been a very big part of engaging music. Maybe he’s the first one to really bring that to this style of music but Frank Black didn’t create dynamics lol.

[@jonunderscore]

If you try leading a band.. you will understand why@@thytoe

[@FIGGY65]

What happened on that day with this iconic song was pure, unplanned MAGIC and I’ll listen to this particular version forever!

[@HELLBAG1]

I think if I could be anywhere in the world at any time, it would be 1994, watching Frank Black watch Jeff Lynne play tennis.

[@marketinganalyticsandbigda8678]

hahaha

[@piwitiwi]

I can't get over how Frank Black is not yet appreciated like Bowie or Iggy or ... well, the tennis ace Jeff Lynne, for being a rare original songwriter and poet!

[@grendel79]

Bowie appreciated him enough to cover him

[@captainpasty2562]

Headache is indeed one of the best 'pop' tunes ever written.

[@SanjayaLimbu1]

One of the most underrated musician.

[@brandonstephens7877]

Life wouldn’t be the same AT ALL, without Frank Black

[@christopherhuffman]

Thank you so much for all the great inspiration through all these years, Frank!

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

One of the best artists ever imo, greatest guitarist/song writer, singer, he's just awesome and a perfectionist. I picture him having a guitar in hand almost all day. He can still hit those notes, voice sounds great. 👏👏👏

[@dissenttime]

I loved how Frank Black seems surprised when the interviewer suggests "Headache" is his best pop song. And then Black's acoustic performance totally exceeds expectations! Check out the whole performance in the other video. Thanks to BF, the interviewer's seemingly uneducated opinion suddenly appears more plausible.

[@FaxanaduJohn]

They should have totally shown us the whole song!!!

[@ChunkyLover69420]

+FaxanaduJohn its in a separate clip

[@kck-kck879]

Just go look it up

[@craigdutton6072]

Remember first time I caught wind of the pixies 👌my music taste was so narrow and well thanks frank and the pixies 👍😎

[@jigrodrigues]

Craig Dutton exactly. More than making great music, the pixies and Frank Black made me explore new sounds and new bands. I dont think I had a bad taste in music before but it sure needed more diversity. This guy is my music hero, if that makes any sense.

[@herrklamm1454]

I love that man.

[@EdgeworthJohnstone]

great song, and too see a glimpse of the paintings too.

[@NOMAD-qp3dd]

Yea, ofcourse he'd be an awesome painter too. 😂 He's on the list of rock stars i'd want to meet.

[@sarcasmo57]

Frank Black is easily one of the best Pixies if you ask me.

[@jlouis4407]

Frank Black is the Pixies

[@lexiifiire8834]

It got me so down it got me a headache ❤

[@mikethompson601]

Sir I like ALL your freaking songs. Still haven't heard a couple albums, but have yet to be disappointed.

[@oldmanmike]

Love this man so much.

[@nebu9786]

My favorite musician! Headacheeeee ❤❤❤

[@NxDoyle]

Still my hero, Charles.

[@waymanmccall5698]

In 1994 I was 17. This song and record ruled my life. My girlified at the time would say "stop singing!"

[@ralphcramden468]

Really love Frank and Violet. Great people. .

[@tamonickajenkins8062]

4:05 somebody farted

[@ErronBrianMader]

What does a guy have to do around here to get a Frank Back Vinyl release?

[@weedavid4924]

5 years too late but if you didn’t know… they’ve been repressed on demon records 🤝

[@ErronBrianMader]

@@weedavid4924 Recently got 'Cult of Ray' super happy 😄 Now if only they'd release the Catholics stuff, maybe in another 5 years ...

[@danae-rain3019]

Love this song

[@melchiorhoffman]

Which DAVE STEWART owned the studio? I'm 75% sure Mr. Black is talking about the DAVE STEWART from EGG (and later HATFIELD AND THE NORTH), not the David A. Stewart from Eurythmics. But I don't know. I'm sure someone here does!!

[@sebastopprogre1979]

Thank you genius!

[@NYESOX]

The man.

[@bentolleson8582]

I'm really happy he bought a guitar instead of going to the U.K. to watch Haley's comet 😁

[@jaredsmallwood7736]

first head this song in jeremy kleins hook ups skate vid.

[@chewables4360]

jeremy klein hello

[@yournamehere7182]

I wanna live In Los Angeles 😉

[@europa]

The EUROPA LUNA GHOSTS

[@tonymlealv]

I wish I heard the song

[@safetypatrol]

Jeremy Klein

[@isotopiary]

Migraine rock 👌

[@MrGenedancingmachine]

Hi Mom, FIRST!

[@velouric]

+MrGenedancingmachine PppfffffrrrRRTTTtt!!!!!!!!

[@crypttonite]

a real storyteller, hollering man...not into this tune AT ALL! on any level, laugh out loud.