Pete Francis
Pete Francis | |
---|---|
![]() Pete Francis performing with Dispatch in Germany, Hamburg, 2012 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Pete Francis Heimbold |
Also known as | Pete Francis, RePete |
Born | August 1, 1975 |
Genres | Folk rock, Rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, Keyboards, Bass |
Years active | 1994–present |
Labels | Dragon Crest Collective, Noble Steed Music |
Website | Official Pete Francis website |
Pete Francis Heimbold (August 1, 1975) is a founding member of the alternative roots band Dispatch.[1][2] Since departing the group in 2019, he has established himself as a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist,[3] mental health advocate,[4] and educator.[5] His latest solo release is PTRN SKY! (out May 12, 2023 on Noble Steed Music).[6]
Biography
[edit]Francis grew up in Riverside, Connecticut, the youngest of four children, and drew early influence from the likes of Van Morrison, Cat Stevens, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchell, and Miles Davis.[7] As a student at Middlebury College in Vermont, Francis formed a band with guitarist/bassist/songwriter Chad Urmston and drummer Brad Corrigan. Originally called One Fell Swoop, the group soon changed its name to Dispatch[8] and would go on to sell more than 700,000 albums,[9] sell out New York's Madison Square Garden five times[10] and Boston's TD Garden three times, and become the first group to sell out New Jersey's Red Bull Arena.[11] On July 31, 2004, the band drew more than 100,000 people to Boston's Hatch Memorial Shell.[12]
Francis recorded several solo albums on the side during his years with Dispatch, and in 2023, he announced his first collection since departing the group, PTRN SKY![13] In Spring 2024, Francis announced the release of Neon Light Blind on reggae imprint Dubshot Records via ADA/Warner Music. [14] The songs on the project were co-written with Grant Michaels (Weezer, Sia, Banners), and take influence from reggae and soul standards that have always been a part of Pete’s musical identity. [15]
In addition to his work as a musician, Francis has also taught songwriting at Middlebury College[16] and collaborated with his wife, the visual artist Katie Heimbold, to launch the Dragoncrest Collective, a community organization that seeks to bring artists and art-lovers together through a series of live, interactive shows and events.[17]
He currently lives in Connecticut.[18]
Discography
[edit]For discography of Dispatch, see Dispatch Discography
- 2001: So They Say – Dragon Crest Collective
- 2003: Untold – Dragon Crest Collective
- 2004: Good To Finally Know – Dragon Crest Collective
- 2006: Everything Is One- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2008: Iron Sea and the Cavalry- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2009: Wake the Mountain w/Barefoot Truth- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2010: The Movie We Are In- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2013: Immodal Implozego – Dragon Crest Collective
- 2015: Dragon Crest Collective Volume 1- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2019: Belong to the Band EP- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2021: Humble Down EP- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2021: Sun Fuzz EP- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2023: PTRN SKY!- Dragon Crest Collective
- 2024: Neon Light Blind EP- Dragon Crest Collective
Equipment
[edit]![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2022) |
Instruments
- Nash Presicion Bass
- Modulus Bass
- 1979 Fender Telecaster
- 1980 Gibson 335 electric guitar
- 1930s National Resonator
- 1940 Gibson 135 Jazz Box
- Collings D-1 acoustics
Amplifiers
- Noise Iconoclast
Effects
References
[edit]- ^ "Dispatch: May We All Be Forsaken". Relix Media. June 21, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "PatchMusic - Dispatch, Braddigan, Pete Francis, Chadwick Stokes and State Radio Fansite". www.patchmusic.info. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "About". Pete Francis. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Pete Francis On Mental Health, retrieved March 11, 2023
- ^ "Pete Francis Songwriting Lecture | Events". www.middlebury.edu. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Pete Francis Announces First Album Since Leaving Dispatch & Shares Single". JamBase. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Morse, Steve (January 4, 2002). "Dispatch Singer Pete Francis Digs Deeper with Solo Side Project". The Boston Globe. p. C-15.
- ^ Correspondent), David Piper (Collegian. "Dispatch strikes a fine stylistic balance". Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
{{cite web}}
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has generic name (help) - ^ "Dispatch Onesheet - Foundations Music". foundationsmusic.com. February 13, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (July 16, 2007). "Post-Jam Postscript: Regrouping for Charity". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Dispatch Onesheet - Foundations Music". foundationsmusic.com. February 13, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Dispatch sends fans into frenzy". Boston Herald. May 17, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Pete Francis, Founding Member of Alt-Roots Powerhouse Dispatch, Announces New Album PTRN SKY!". Grateful Web. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "About". Pete Francis. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "About". Pete Francis. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "Pete Francis Songwriting Lecture | Events". www.middlebury.edu. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "Dragoncrest Collective". Dragoncrest Collective. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- ^ "About". Pete Francis. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
External links
[edit]Official
[edit]Informational
[edit]- Pete Francis Heimbold discography at MusicBrainz
- 1981 births
- Living people
- 20th-century American singer-songwriters
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- American male bass guitarists
- American male singer-songwriters
- American rock guitarists
- American rock singers
- 20th-century American bass guitarists
- 21st-century American bass guitarists
- People from Riverside, Connecticut
- 20th-century American male singers
- 21st-century American male singers
- Dispatch (band) members
- Singer-songwriters from Connecticut