I went to the Pixies show last Friday night highly excited, but not knowing exactly what to expect. Accounts of the previous night's performance were nothing but positive, so I let myself look forward to the experience. I hoped to see one of the bands that shaped my outlook on music today, and NOT be disappointed in how they sounded and the show they put on.

This time, my doubtless anticipation was completely appropriate. Kim Deal, Frank Black, Joey Santiago and David Lovering not only looked exactly like they had in promo pics from ten or fifteen years before, they also SOUNDED just like they do on their records. Dare I say, even better!

This isn't a formal live show review, but I couldn't resist throwing my two cents in about the show. I couldn't believe how well Frank Black screeched, how creamy and gorgeous Kim's voice was, how impeccably amazing Santiago's solos were and just how damn precise and punctuating Lovering's drumming was. Frank and Kim may hate each other but they make sweet, sweet music. I shed a tear at that show... a tear of amazement and of awe for a band that helped shape who I am today.

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at Triple Door

The artist formerly known as Black Francis then Frank Black and now Black Francis recently made a stop at the most gracious venue in all of Seattle. Actually, I was worried that I'd be too comfortable in my cush booth seat and refreshing climate controlled room and therefore, unable to fully bask in all that is dark, confrontational, and sinister in my long beloved Sir Black.

As I sipped on my fancy infused cocktail(s) and admired my table of spiffed up friends around the beautifully (and extremely flatteringly) lit table, I wondered if this could possibly compare to the first time I heard Black Francis (then Frank Black) break into "Wave of Mutilation" two feet from my squashed-up-front self at the Showbox. It turned out to be one of those bliss-filled moments I have cemented in my memory as one of the few times I thought I would faint from delirious euphoria. Tonight, as I looked around, the crowd was all calm, cool and collected (as well as orderly and well-dressed). How could the communal level excitement possibly peak to the level deserving of "Holiday Song" and "Where Is My Mind?".

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I am sure I'm not the only one who has set every alarm clock in her home to go off at 10a on Saturday, which is when tickets go on sale for the two Pixies dates at the Paramount (the all ages shows take place November 12 and 13).

But the nice thing about being in Seattle this weekend (besides the temperatures in the 90s), is that we get a shot of Black Francis live and in person this Sunday night (August 2) in the lovely AIR CONDITIONED Triple Door.

Since finding out that Mr. Francis is playing Boise, ID with Doug Martsch, I'm wondering if there will be any surprise Seattle friends taking the stage with him for a song? Hmm... I bet Kurt Bloch would be a great side kick for "Where Is My Mind." What other pairings would float your cruise boat?

This isn't a duet, but it is the video for the wonderful (easy to sing along to) song "I Sent Away" from SVN FNGRS. He's so cute in a hoodie!

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As ChrisB announced a couple weeks ago, the Pixies are coming to Seattle and will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the album Doolittle by playing it in its entirety.

We now have a date... more than that, Seattle gets two nights of Pixies and Doolittle-ness! We should feel pretty honored because the Pixies are only going to stop in nine cities on this brief, but monumentous tour.

Mark your calendar in pen for the nights of November 12 and 13, 2009 as that's when Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering will take the stage of the Paramount Theatre (it's even an all ages show!).

Here's one song from the album I'm definitely looking forward to:

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I know I'm not the only imaginary that is getting excited for Black Francis' show at the Triple Door next month and I'm trying to fit in time to see Grand Duchy (Frank Black's project with his wife) during my upcoming weekend trip to Chicago in less than two weeks, but now I have another item to add to the calendar. Pixies are playing their brilliant album Doolittle from beginning to end on a tour, and that tour will include a stop in Seattle.

Spin reports:

Frontman Frank Black tells SPIN.com that the Boston-born quartet will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking release, Doolittle, by playing the album in its entirety in Oakland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, New York City, and "maybe Montreal" this fall.

There are no dates/places set yet, but I'll post it here when there are.

After a while out of print on vinyl, 4AD has re-released both Pixies' Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde albums on 180 gram vinyl (they hit the racks back on Oct 13).

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NME is reporting that there will be NO new Pixies album. Kim Deal apparently sees no need for new recorded Pixies material, and Black Francis/Frank Black says that's that.

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Just because it is now officially NME Thursday, how about we talk about the Greatest Indie Anthems ever... and what NME / Xfm and the general UK public think they are.

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