I first fell in love with the Pixies when I heard “Here Comes Your Man.” I remember thinking this song sounds like it was always written. I loved how it broke song rules, bent some, and followed others. It made the song feel like a friend, but also like the feeling of incorporating a brand new idea you just heard in real time. As I dove deeper into their catalogue, I became more familiar with the more alternative side to their work, which was heavily rock influenced. Then after further research, I came to realize that a ton of bands I love also had fallen in love and were inspired by them (Nirvana and Radiohead to name a few).
In 1986, in Boston Massachusetts, your favorite alternative rock band’s favorite alternative rock band formed. With Black Francis on vocals, rhythm guitar, and songwriter, Joey Santiago on lead guitar, Kim Deal on bass and vocals, and David Lovering on drums, the four members became the Pixies.
Every night of their current tour, the band plays a completely new and different set. It’s a fun surprise for fans, and ensures they walk away with a unique experience. On the Pixies first night in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Palladium, they started the night off playing their album Bossanova in full. They played in tight unison, starting off with “Cecilia Ann,” “Rock Music,” and “Velouria.” The crowd grew increasingly nostalgic for certain songs as the set went on, with some fans nearby sighing to their friends sweet things like “oh yes, this one,” or “oh my god, remember?” At one point, someone in the audience started handing out fist bumps to everyone nearby with a gigantic grin as “Is She Weird” played. It was unique and a joy to see people get to hear songs they didn’t know they would hear that evening.