In an interview with The Guardian, Frank Black discussed his disappointment about the Pixies reunion documentary, loudQUIETloud: a Film about the Pixies.
Black stated, “I’ve got nothing against the film or the film-makers, but they manipulated the whole thing. They wanted a story, and that story became this tension within the band, how awful we got along, and Dave’s downward spiral. Whereas Dave was actually the one who was holding us together. His breakdown only came at the end of the tour when he was upset about his dad’s death. Then he became this kind of Jekyll and Hyde figure, dulling the pain with red wine and pills.”
Black also discusses being disconnected from the filmmakers, “They were naive, like a lot of people who don’t understand how rock bands are when they go on tour. They’d roll into the hotel every morning and say, ‘So what are you guys going to do today? Ooh, are you going to go buy some ice cream?’ I guess they expected us to be like the Monkees, always up to mischief. But we’re boring, you know. And touring is boring. You just sit around not talking to each other.”
One quick viewing of the trailer shows that the film is certainly sensational by thriving on the chaos of the band and their personal lives. It clearly focuses on the trials and already tumultuous relationship of the band. While Black seems to feel that what the filmmakers captured is accurate, he notes that “The movie as it stands is basically truthful, even though it’s exaggerated…”
The documentary, directed by former producers, Steven Cantor (Family Bonds, Slasher, The Devil’s Playground) and Matthew Galkin (Family Bonds, Slasher) is currently screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Source: The Guardian – “I used to have a band, and now I don’t”
It’s pretty interesting to hear his take on the movie. I’m looking forward to seeing it when it comes out on DVD on Nov. 7th. It would be cool if it had a commentary track with the band (I don’t think it does).
Strange that he says the movie is “truthful but exagerrated”. After all, isn’t that what most documentaries are? They pick and choose what to show you, and that’s how they tell a story.
Exactly, it’s a very odd interview. He seems to accept documentary form but is uncomfortable with it as well. Maybe it hit “a little to close to home?” Of course, I’m sure it’s extremely hard to see oneself, especially when you know more details than are being shown but he comes off as a little odd in this piece, if you ask me.
The DVD will most definitely be worth a watch! I’m looking forward to it as well. An audio commentary would be fantastic but I can’t imagine it happening.