LONDON-- Frank Black [ tickets ] is a solid character. Literally, he is a big guy who has been dubbed "Fat Frank" due to his imposing size. But this is not why one of godfathers of America�s alternative rock scene is a powerhouse. The former Pixies frontman still possesses some of strongest vocal cords and guitar chords in the biz, and he proved this at his solo acoustic show at the Camden Underworld in London on Wednesday (11/15).

Black arranged his last-minute performance after he took a holiday in Scotland and wanted a few "chuck bucks" to pay for it. Naturally, his slap-dash venture sold out swiftly as humble-looking Pixies fans, dressed in concert T-shirts, blue jeans and sneakers, turned out to support Uncle Frank and hoped for a few "old" tunes. They also hoped that it would be a Pixies reunion of sorts after Rollingstone.com hyped the rumor that Joey Santiago was to make an appearance. (Santiago was actually at the London Film Festival the week before.)

Black took the chance to showcase half a dozen songs from his upcoming album with the Catholics, "Dogs in the Sand," which hits stores in January. "Hermaphroditos Is My Name" carried the Spanish flavor that Black wove into much of the Pixies material. New number "Bullet" was about finding his father�s gun, and "Angst," the B-side to his next single, was a send-up dedicated to all people who can never see the bright side of life.

Although Black brought "death to the Pixies" in 1993, songs from his last album, "Pistolero," contain the trademark high-energy guitars and shouting-singing that made the Boston foursome underground superheroes. The Underground show was peppered with Pixies songs: the show opened with "Mr. Grieves," was sprinkled with "Nimrod�s Son" and "Monkey Gone to Heaven," and ended with the audience singing the eerie backing vocals to "Where Is My Mind." Perhaps Black has realized--after mild receptions for his albums "Cult of Ray" and the Catholics' eponymous debut--that the Pixies' style, tried and tested, is the key to continuing success.

Click here for the itinerary of Frank Black's solo acoustic tour in California