The Pixies are coming... The Pixies are coming!!!
Posted by: ErikL on 08 June 2004
I just bounced over to the Bumbershoot page and behold- The Pixies will be appearing on the main stage this year (Mon, Sept 6)!
Yes! Sweeeeeeeeet!!!
Of course I imagine kids will camp out for several days to receive a wristband (required for the main stage).
Yes! Sweeeeeeeeet!!!
Of course I imagine kids will camp out for several days to receive a wristband (required for the main stage).
Posted on: 08 June 2004 by matthewr
Seeing The Pixies is, like, so last week 
Posted on: 08 June 2004 by ErikL
Dude, like, what-E-verrrrr!!!
Posted on: 08 June 2004 by roman
Just seen them twice in London. Its like they never went away. I used to see them a lot and can tell you everything remains intact.
Somewhere theres a thread on the best guitar solos. Well the beauty of joeys guitar playing was its economy, giving the song just what it needed. Well theres one glorious exception in 'vamos' which is his show piece. Exttraordinary sounds and fun for several minutes without a real note being played.
enjoy!
roman
Somewhere theres a thread on the best guitar solos. Well the beauty of joeys guitar playing was its economy, giving the song just what it needed. Well theres one glorious exception in 'vamos' which is his show piece. Exttraordinary sounds and fun for several minutes without a real note being played.
enjoy!
roman
Posted on: 08 June 2004 by Mike Sae
The catch being you have to sit through Nas and Nickelback.
Posted on: 09 June 2004 by Simon Perry
I hate everyone who saw Pixies recently!
Posted on: 09 June 2004 by P
I was at Tesco the other week and there was this old tramp sat begging outside. I ignored him as best I could but he kept muttering on about "Fucking Pixies are everywhere.. Everywhere!"
Strange but true.
P
Strange but true.
P
Posted on: 09 June 2004 by Mekon
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Sae:
The catch being you have to sit through Nas and Nickelback.
Yeah, like Ludwig's never sung along to 'Remind Me'. Seriously tho', didn't have you down as a Nas hater.
Time to put on The Fog remix of Made You Look.
Posted on: 09 June 2004 by ErikL
There'll be no sitting through Nickleback and Nas- they play on different days.
Posted on: 09 June 2004 by iiyama
I agree with Roman, just seen them in Paris at the Zenith and i was blown away ! even better this time round, if you get the chance see them.
Posted on: 10 June 2004 by Mike Hughes
Oh dear. The critical faculties seem to have gone off the radar on this one methinks.
I saw the Pixies ten times from the double hander with Throwing Muses through to the appallingly over-rated appearance at Reading and beyond. I own all the albums and it has to be said that whilst you need Come On Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle you can't even fill half a compilation CD with good tracks from the other two. Live - they peaked around 1989 to early 1990 and then that was that really.
The comeback is about money. They admit it's about money and we're supposed to be about music and passion and, and, and...
If you haven't seen them then by all means do so. If you have then please don't expect people to accept such uncritical accounts. Quite frankly the fact that anyone would play old stuff for money poses one or two insoluable moral dilemmas but to kid yourself that somehow this band matches the levels of performance of the band that produced those first three albums is something of a joke really IMHO, isn't it? Please tell me it is? It is, isn't it? Isn't it?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhh!!!
I saw the Pixies ten times from the double hander with Throwing Muses through to the appallingly over-rated appearance at Reading and beyond. I own all the albums and it has to be said that whilst you need Come On Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle you can't even fill half a compilation CD with good tracks from the other two. Live - they peaked around 1989 to early 1990 and then that was that really.
The comeback is about money. They admit it's about money and we're supposed to be about music and passion and, and, and...
If you haven't seen them then by all means do so. If you have then please don't expect people to accept such uncritical accounts. Quite frankly the fact that anyone would play old stuff for money poses one or two insoluable moral dilemmas but to kid yourself that somehow this band matches the levels of performance of the band that produced those first three albums is something of a joke really IMHO, isn't it? Please tell me it is? It is, isn't it? Isn't it?
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggghhhh!!!
Posted on: 10 June 2004 by roman
Mike,
As you say, they're doing it for the money. I'm sure we'd all prefer our artists to do what they do for love, but alas...
What I do know is that whatever their motivation is for playing does not taint their performance. I've seen them countless times, and while I agree that the early days were especially good, this must in part be down to the freshness of their sound at the time. They came from nowhere and were unlike anybody else.
Right now they are as good as at any time since those early days. But then I disagree with you about Reading , which I thought was a blinder, and the last two albums. Bossanova is perhaps their weakest, but still has 'rock music'; 'is she wierd' and 'velouria', whereas 'trompe le monde' is a classic I'd put ahead of 'come on pilgrim'
Remember also thet they never traded on looks or style, nor did they bounce around on stage. Consequently they carry off their reformation with dignity and spare the audience any embarassment.
roman
As you say, they're doing it for the money. I'm sure we'd all prefer our artists to do what they do for love, but alas...
What I do know is that whatever their motivation is for playing does not taint their performance. I've seen them countless times, and while I agree that the early days were especially good, this must in part be down to the freshness of their sound at the time. They came from nowhere and were unlike anybody else.
Right now they are as good as at any time since those early days. But then I disagree with you about Reading , which I thought was a blinder, and the last two albums. Bossanova is perhaps their weakest, but still has 'rock music'; 'is she wierd' and 'velouria', whereas 'trompe le monde' is a classic I'd put ahead of 'come on pilgrim'
Remember also thet they never traded on looks or style, nor did they bounce around on stage. Consequently they carry off their reformation with dignity and spare the audience any embarassment.
roman
Posted on: 10 June 2004 by Mike Hughes
Roman,
Point by point then (it says "pedant" on my passport!).
Most artists want to make money doing what they love but there's a bit of a leap between that and admitting that you find your old catalogue to be a dead end and you are (all four) doing it absolutely just for the dosh.
Actually, live bootlegs from then and now suggest the exact opposite of what you say. Now, the songs sound artificially speeded; the drumming is very tired in places and the guitar playing of BF could be best described as perfunctory (and I am being polite there based on my own hearing of three recent bootlegs). Let's just say that I can see how the joy at their re-emergence could overwhelm the need to take a step bac and see/hear what's really going on.
I was twenty foot back from the stage at Reading and a friend retains a bootleg as evidence (not one that he made I hasten to add). The light show was bombastic and distracting rather than complimentary and the performance was distant (in the emotional sense). The bass was out of tune at least 75% of the gig and there seemed to be a Shea Stadium mentality going down i.e. they can't really hear so to hell with it. I have to say that having spoken to about fifty people over the years who I discovered were at the same gig you are one of only 4 who actually thought it was any good. Now Nick Cave and The Fall - they were something else completely IMHO!!!
Bossanova is turgid and second rate frankly. The two tacks you mention are absolutely the highlights. Fuil stop. Trompe Le Monde? Reminded me of Porcupine by the Bunnymen. A great cover but the content was the shell without the body. It's a familiar sound but it signified nothing. Tragic is perhaps the word I'm looking for.
I'm afraid we all trade on looks and style to a lesser or greater extent and that is absolutely what some people buy into. A dignified reunion? Hmm. Which bit of admitting you are being absolutely mercenary was dignified then? I wouldn' have rated them any less if they did bounce around on stage as they can do whatever they want as far as I'm concerned.
Mike
PS: I don't really get this worked up about a band but I loved them so much and to see it come to this and then to see people fall for it willingly is just so annoying. Still, each to their own.
Point by point then (it says "pedant" on my passport!).
Most artists want to make money doing what they love but there's a bit of a leap between that and admitting that you find your old catalogue to be a dead end and you are (all four) doing it absolutely just for the dosh.
Actually, live bootlegs from then and now suggest the exact opposite of what you say. Now, the songs sound artificially speeded; the drumming is very tired in places and the guitar playing of BF could be best described as perfunctory (and I am being polite there based on my own hearing of three recent bootlegs). Let's just say that I can see how the joy at their re-emergence could overwhelm the need to take a step bac and see/hear what's really going on.
I was twenty foot back from the stage at Reading and a friend retains a bootleg as evidence (not one that he made I hasten to add). The light show was bombastic and distracting rather than complimentary and the performance was distant (in the emotional sense). The bass was out of tune at least 75% of the gig and there seemed to be a Shea Stadium mentality going down i.e. they can't really hear so to hell with it. I have to say that having spoken to about fifty people over the years who I discovered were at the same gig you are one of only 4 who actually thought it was any good. Now Nick Cave and The Fall - they were something else completely IMHO!!!
Bossanova is turgid and second rate frankly. The two tacks you mention are absolutely the highlights. Fuil stop. Trompe Le Monde? Reminded me of Porcupine by the Bunnymen. A great cover but the content was the shell without the body. It's a familiar sound but it signified nothing. Tragic is perhaps the word I'm looking for.
I'm afraid we all trade on looks and style to a lesser or greater extent and that is absolutely what some people buy into. A dignified reunion? Hmm. Which bit of admitting you are being absolutely mercenary was dignified then? I wouldn' have rated them any less if they did bounce around on stage as they can do whatever they want as far as I'm concerned.
Mike
PS: I don't really get this worked up about a band but I loved them so much and to see it come to this and then to see people fall for it willingly is just so annoying. Still, each to their own.
Posted on: 10 June 2004 by ErikL
The only way paying just $15 to see several current cool bands and The Pixies (for the first time) will be disappointing is if that tidal wave comes crashing down on Seattle Center. Otherwise it will be brilliant.
Posted on: 11 June 2004 by matthewr
There is something of a critical bypass with regard to the reformed Pixies. At the gig -- which was ace -- they were slightly sloppy early on but got better as the eveing progressed. Then they absolutely nailed "No. 13, Baby" and I commented to be friend that that was the first song they had played really well. The reaction from the people around me was like I had dropped my trousers at a Vicarage coffee morning, buit I'd stick by my assessment. I don't think there is any doubt that they are not nearly as good as they were at their peak in 88/89 and re-watching the C4 documentary with this footage in makes it fairly obvious.
But that's not really the point -- this is The Pixies one of the greatest bands ever. As long as it wasn't embarrassing it was always going to be fantastic and better than 99% of other gigs.
Matthew
PS I thought Joey's Vamos sub-Somic Youth guitar thing was very silly and was reminded of the lyric "I get feedback / in my bedroom in Nantwich / I stamp my foot down on the amp switch / And leave my guitar up aginst the bed"
But that's not really the point -- this is The Pixies one of the greatest bands ever. As long as it wasn't embarrassing it was always going to be fantastic and better than 99% of other gigs.
Matthew
PS I thought Joey's Vamos sub-Somic Youth guitar thing was very silly and was reminded of the lyric "I get feedback / in my bedroom in Nantwich / I stamp my foot down on the amp switch / And leave my guitar up aginst the bed"
Posted on: 11 June 2004 by --duncan--
I saw them on the Wednesday. I hesitated to post before other people had had a chance to see them because I was pretty disappointed. Perhaps it's inevitable, having golden memories of '89 and '91, and I was not helped by feeling like death slightly warmed up on the day. The songs are still great but a covers band might have injected greater passion. The crowd (amazingly young, very few can have been around in the early 90's) were subdued for most of the concert. We were given precisely 90 minutes of music, not a word from the stage nor any sign of interaction between members of the band. Of course it's a pension-plan tour but there was no need to make it quite so obvious...
duncan
Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com
duncan
Email: djcritchley at hotmail.com
Posted on: 12 June 2004 by Stevie Steve
I saw them last Friday at Brixton and loved every minute of it. They played great, the sound was good (if a little loud...), the set list was magic (very little from the last two albums). I thought it was fantastic. I'm not that bothered by their motivation, I'm glad to have got the chance to see them live at last...
Steve
Steve
Posted on: 12 June 2004 by roman
mike,
pedant meets pedant.
Following confirmation of my tickets for the two nights I atteneded, my excitement was replaced by apprehension. Would all of my fond memories be shattered at a stroke? After all most of my former idols such as,the velvet undergroundd, rolling stones, the who and the sex pistols had proved to be a disappointment (whatever alan mcghee might say). But no, the pixies were great. I scarcely know how to qualify this other than to say that even in 'their prime' they nearly always ripped through their set with only occasional wittering between songs. Certainly there were very few obvious signs of passion. ever. The only one that springs to mind was Kim Deal visibly in tears over the course of three or four songs on the friday night of this tour!
Having seen probably even more frank black gigs over the years than the pixies I can tell you tht there was no discernible difference in the approach and presentation of a performance between franks two incarnations, regardless of new material.
As for bootlegs, I've lost count of the times when I listened to recorded broadcast, official or otherwise, hoping that every moment I'd witnessed would be laid before me so that I might relive the moment. Invariably disappointment has followed. Poor recordings of seminal gigs great recordings of mediocre gigs have become the norm. Go figure.
Incidentally, crap pixies gigs existed in the past. I know because I attended a couple. I'm just adding this to dispel any rose tinted myth of a peerless band.
While I'm with you on the quality of the fall that night at reading (it swung it for me and I've been a devotee ever since) I completely disagree with your account. I and my friends recall a joyous culmination of the festival in front of a vibrant and responsive crowd. I had a ball that night. The same event viewed so differently. What can you say?
As for joeys solo being an embarassment, well I think it works if you like a weeny bit of showmanship in an otherwise straight down the line performance, and the glorious sound of sheet metal being torn, amplified and distorted. That'll do for me every time. He always did this by the way, even in the good old days, playing with a drumstick or beerbottle. I think it works well.
Sure it could become stale over time. I'm just reporting on what I've actually seen and heard recently and I can tell you that they absolutely cut the mustard. Over the two nights I went with a number of people some of whom had seen the band before, others not. They all loved it. I also took a long time to leave and went to a nearby pub afterwards. There were people everywhere talking about how great it had been.
Were they the best gigs ever? nope, but blinding all the same.
roman
pedant meets pedant.
Following confirmation of my tickets for the two nights I atteneded, my excitement was replaced by apprehension. Would all of my fond memories be shattered at a stroke? After all most of my former idols such as,the velvet undergroundd, rolling stones, the who and the sex pistols had proved to be a disappointment (whatever alan mcghee might say). But no, the pixies were great. I scarcely know how to qualify this other than to say that even in 'their prime' they nearly always ripped through their set with only occasional wittering between songs. Certainly there were very few obvious signs of passion. ever. The only one that springs to mind was Kim Deal visibly in tears over the course of three or four songs on the friday night of this tour!
Having seen probably even more frank black gigs over the years than the pixies I can tell you tht there was no discernible difference in the approach and presentation of a performance between franks two incarnations, regardless of new material.
As for bootlegs, I've lost count of the times when I listened to recorded broadcast, official or otherwise, hoping that every moment I'd witnessed would be laid before me so that I might relive the moment. Invariably disappointment has followed. Poor recordings of seminal gigs great recordings of mediocre gigs have become the norm. Go figure.
Incidentally, crap pixies gigs existed in the past. I know because I attended a couple. I'm just adding this to dispel any rose tinted myth of a peerless band.
While I'm with you on the quality of the fall that night at reading (it swung it for me and I've been a devotee ever since) I completely disagree with your account. I and my friends recall a joyous culmination of the festival in front of a vibrant and responsive crowd. I had a ball that night. The same event viewed so differently. What can you say?
As for joeys solo being an embarassment, well I think it works if you like a weeny bit of showmanship in an otherwise straight down the line performance, and the glorious sound of sheet metal being torn, amplified and distorted. That'll do for me every time. He always did this by the way, even in the good old days, playing with a drumstick or beerbottle. I think it works well.
Sure it could become stale over time. I'm just reporting on what I've actually seen and heard recently and I can tell you that they absolutely cut the mustard. Over the two nights I went with a number of people some of whom had seen the band before, others not. They all loved it. I also took a long time to leave and went to a nearby pub afterwards. There were people everywhere talking about how great it had been.
Were they the best gigs ever? nope, but blinding all the same.
roman
Posted on: 13 June 2004 by Mike Hughes
Roman,
Fair enough but
a) my friends' bootlegs are superb quality.
b) the crowd and joy etc. at Reading were tremendous but they alone don't make a gig. Indeed, stuck in the middle I of them I found I couldn't actually enjoy the gig until I backed off by twenty foot or so. That gave me the perspective I expound here.
c) I agree on the passion stuff. Earlier there is talk about the lack of communication. Realistically, they never did.
d) Kim Deal was crying for very specific reasons and it wasn't related to the emotion of the occasion. Check out the live reviews on the net and all will be revealed.
Mike
Fair enough but
a) my friends' bootlegs are superb quality.
b) the crowd and joy etc. at Reading were tremendous but they alone don't make a gig. Indeed, stuck in the middle I of them I found I couldn't actually enjoy the gig until I backed off by twenty foot or so. That gave me the perspective I expound here.
c) I agree on the passion stuff. Earlier there is talk about the lack of communication. Realistically, they never did.
d) Kim Deal was crying for very specific reasons and it wasn't related to the emotion of the occasion. Check out the live reviews on the net and all will be revealed.
Mike
Posted on: 06 September 2004 by ErikL
Well, the show's today and I leave in 1 hour to try to get the necessary wristband 10 hours before showtime (there are other shows, and beer, all day).
More later...
More later...
Posted on: 07 September 2004 by ErikL
quote:
Originally posted by Ludwig:
Well, the show's today... More later...
Last night's show was very enjoyable regardless of what else I say, mostly because they played many of my favorites. But I do think the playing and singing were a bit reunion tour'ish inspiration-wise. They played 1 song from the last 2 albums and focused on Doolittle, playing most of it (my buddy claimed they only left 1 song out). The most energy and excitement of the whole show came during "Bone Machine" and "Mr. Grieves" IMO. We were hit with two "Wave of Mutilation" (mid-set, and the only encore song) and that was lame. Still, I've now seen the Pixies and that's sweet.
Built To Spill was great as an opener but they're much better headlining in small venue. Seeing them live, you can rattle off influences aplenty.
Black Keys on Saturday were great and highly recommended, but they were followed by the Drive-By Truckers who put in what became one of the best gigs I've ever seen.
Unfortunately I missed The Killers, Bebel Gilberto, and many others but did see Galactic put on a fun show.
Should I figure out how to post pics using my ISP's servers I'll do that in a few days.