Pixies’ Frontman Frank Black To Release Box Set Of Score For ‘The Golem’

As much as we enjoy the Pixies and frontman Frank Black, we didn’t exactly expect him to be one to score a film. But, back in April 2008, this is exactly what Black did when he performed an original score at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco for 1920 German silent film “The Golem.”

In early 2008, Francis told Pitchfork that the score would eventually be released as its own “big chunky box.” Today they report that he is making good on his promise and the box is now finally available at Francis’s website. The box, priced at $90, contains two discs each of the original live performance and a studio recording, as well as a DVD of the film with his score synchronized along. Also included in the box are photos and a book of notes. The set is limited to 500 copies and each are personally autographed by Francis himself. Sounds like a passion project, to be sure.

‘Golem,’ directed by Carl Boese and Paul Wegener, is the third and final of a series and acts as a prequel to the first two films. It features the story of the mythical creature’s creation by a rabbi in the Jewish slums of 16th-century Prague.

The score, available to hear accompanying the entire film at Francis’ YouTube channel, is not exactly traditional, but rather seems to be a collection of relatively straightforward (even with some bluesy tinges) alt-rock tunes that one might expect from a more subdued Francis. You can watch a clip of the film, with the score, below.