The California wildfires have finally been contained, according to CAL FIRE, but the after-effects will be felt in the Los Angeles area and beyond for years. The fires caused 29 deaths and destroyed more than 16,000 structures, causing billions in damages. The FireAid benefit concert last night raised millions for fire relief, but there’s a long way to go. In that spirit, the Song of the Week is Frank Black’s 1993 rocker “Los Angeles.”
The song comes from Black’s self-titled solo debut, which was recorded after he disbanded legendary indie rock act the Pixies. “Los Angeles” was the first single, written in a hurry by Black to have something to play when a record company executive arrived to hear his new music. It’s a vision of a futuristic LA and the video ended up getting a fair amount of play on MTV’s 120 Minutes during the height of the ’90s alternative rock era.
Black (aka Black Francis aka Charles Thompson, his real name) went on to release 18 more solo albums or EPs through 2011. He also reformed the Pixies in 2004 and continues to release albums and tour with the band, although he’s currently on a solo tour celebrating his second solo album, 1994’s Teenager of the Year.