This is the news that accumulated leading up to the release of Show Business Is My Life. If any more solo news comes up, I usually have it on the front page for a while, after which it will be moved here. I just figured people might still be interested in this stuff so I'm leaving it up.
The record has been out for a while now, so there isn't tons to be updated. Unfortunately there aren't any more solo shows planned for a while, although Frank's not opposed to doing more. He actually thought about doing a mini-tour (New York, Chicago, etc.) but since they spent so much time working on the new MTX album and they leave on tour in September, that's no longer going to happen. The one update I have made is that I wrote a review of the record release show. There also is a little bit of news about some of Frank's songs, although it's not strictly solo news. Since Frank writes so many more songs than he can put on an album, he's trying to convince other bands to play his songs. So far the Go Nuts and the Smugglers have each agreed to do a couple (and the Smugglers played Frank's song "Coffee, Tea, or Me" at their recent Bay Area shows). Expect to see a page with descriptions of the songs up soon, and stay tuned for further developments. I don't know for sure if the bands will end up recording Frank's songs, but keep your fingers crossed! Oh yeah, and I'm still intending to add some live sounds in the near future, but I've been really busy and haven't had a chance yet. In the mean time, go read the lyrics or check out a few sounds if you haven't got the album yet.
The solo record is now completely done! It's 13 songs (check the album page for more info). Frank said it turned out pretty much as it was supposed to, which is virtually unprecedented, so I'm definitely expecting the best. There's more good news too! Frank's doing a record release show on May 13! And you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be there (missing the last one was more than enough).
As many of you know, Dr. Frank recently did a solo show! I was not in attendance, sadly, but many have told me about it. He played mostly songs off the upcoming album, Show Business is My Life, and one new one called, "Our Days Are Numbered." Hopefully Frank will do another solo show, but nothing is planned yet. Thanks to all of you who went out and supported Frank!
Well, I've redone the solo page! Now it's divided into sections, rather than having all the info on one page. Check out the links at the bottom of this page to see the new sections (and please, let me know what you think).
Frank now has 9 songs done! Yay! The songs are, "I Made You and I Can Break You," "Ask Beth," "Knock Knock (Please Let Me In)," "Population: Us," "Thinking of You," "She Turned Out to Be Crazy," "Sad, Sad Shadow," "Two Martinis from Now," and "Bitter Homes and Gardens." The ones I've heard are great, and I'm sure the other ones are too. Frank is going to do a couple of acoustic songs ("Suicide Watch" and either "She's All Right" or "Melodrama Mama") and a sort of bossa nova one with a drum machine ("This Isn't About You Anymore"). He's also doing a song called, "I'm in Love With What's-Her-Name" that the fabulous Hi-Fives are playing on. And that'll be the album!
In other news, the solo show on the 18th of January is definite! It's not exactly a real show, but he's doing an "open mike" type thing at a little cafe. Kevin Army (producer and Bomb Bassets member) is also going to playing (which should be very cool). Also, that morning Frank is going to be on TV! Just in the Bay Area (sorry!), on Bay TV, but it still should be great. He's going to be playing two songs. I'm certainly looking forward to it!
As you may have read in the news section, a Dr. Frank solo song, Thinking of You will appear on the Lookout compilation Forward Till Death coming out in January!
Aaron Elliot (Cometbus) and Kepi (from the Groovie Ghoulies) both played on "She Turned Out to Be Crazy." Also, Joe Queer sang on a couple songs! (I think "Ask Beth" and another one.)