Will Frank Black finally find consonance between a rock album and a stage show? The Catastrophic Theatre in Houston, TX is mounting Bluefinger, a rock opera based on the Frank Black solo album of the same title (via Slicing Up Eyeballs). The album and musical follow the life and death of Herman Brood, a dutch painter and musician who’s suicide in 2001 was preceded by a storied and tumultuous career. The musical will feature both songs from his 2007 solo album Bluefinger and Brood. Frank Black is working closely with the theatre to produce the show which will premiere in November.

Black (Francis) is staying busy, as he plans to release an album of unreleased B-sides and demos entitled Abbabubba, which sees Black returning to naming albums with a mouth full of sandwich. The album will be available via BlackFrancis.net in the coming weeks. Also rolled out are dates for Black’s solo tour which will be sandwiched between his tour commitments with the Pixies. The Swell Season (huh?) opens for a couple shows on the West Coast. Check out the dates below. All this while having manned the boards on Pete Yorn’s forthcoming release. Where does the guy find time for a meal?

Tickets are on sale for select dates via Tickemaster.com

Black Francis Tour Dates:
07/08 – Petaluma, CA @ McNear’s Mystic Theatre & Music Hall
08/15 – Big Sur, CA @ Henry Miller Library
08/18 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
08/19 – Saratoga, CA @ Great American Music Hall
08/20 – Portland, OR @Portland Zoo Amphitheatre ^
08/21 – Seattle, WA @ Triple Door (two shows)
08/22 – Vancouver, BC @ The Malkin Bowl ^
09/02 – Wellfleet, MA @ Beachcomber
09/03 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub
09/04 – New York, NY @ Joe’s Pub

^ = w/ The Swell Season