Pete Francis | |
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Pete Francis performing with Dispatch in Germany, Hamburg, 2012 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Pete Francis Heimbold |
Also known as | Pete Francis, RePete |
Born | (1975-08-01) August 1, 1975 (age 49) |
Genres | Folk rock, Rock |
Occupation | 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. Since departing the group in 2019, he has established himself as a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, mental health advocate, and educator. His latest solo release is PTRN SKY! (out May 12, 2023 on Noble Steed Music).
Biography
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. 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 and would go on to sell more than 700,000 albums, sell out New York's Madison Square Garden five times and Boston's TD Garden three times, and become the first group to sell out New Jersey's Red Bull Arena. On July 31, 2004, the band drew more than 100,000 people to Boston's Hatch Memorial Shell.
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! In Spring 2024, Francis announced the release of Neon Light Blind on reggae imprint Dubshot Records via ADA/Warner Music. 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.
In addition to his work as a musician, Francis has also taught songwriting at Middlebury College 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.
He currently lives in Connecticut.
Discography
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
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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
- "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.
- Piper, David (February 6, 2001). "Dispatch strikes a fine stylistic balance". Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
- "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
Official
Informational
- Pete Francis Heimbold discography at MusicBrainz
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Related articles |
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- 1981 births
- Living people
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- 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