Pixies
Date: November 28, 2004 Into the Ocean Although I was never really a fan, I managed to catch the Pixies twice during their 2004 reunion tour. To be sure, the Pixies performance in Coachella was part of an amazing overall experience. However, exchanging the distant vantage point that I had behind a mass of humanity for the view offered from the absolute front of the Robert Guertin arena definitely added to my appreciation of the band. The Marble Index reprised the opening duties that they had provided on the brief warm-up segment of the Pixies reunion. While I was not blown away by the trio, they did demonstrate a strong energy level, seeming to enjoy the opportunity to make the most of their time on the big stage. The middle slot of the evening was filled by the Datsuns. While the New Zealand outfit complemented their decent energy with a notably polished delivery, they failed to make a great impression. The band leaned heavily on the 1970s hard rock template; but the technically proficient guitar work never seemed to add up to anything satisfactory. Before long, though, the Pixies took the stage and laid down a lesson in musical craftsmanship. The opening number, "In Heaven," allowed bassist Kim Deal to command the spotlight with her vocals, with Frank Black waiting his turn to step forward for the night's first take of "Wave of Mutilation" (the UK Surf version). If these quieter songs were the band's means of easing into the challenging acoustics of the hockey arena, it wasn't long before they picked up the intensity. "Where Is My Mind?" demonstrated the cohesiveness of the group, with Black's vocals framed by Deal's accompaniment, and Joey Santiago's piercing lead guitar anchored by the drumming of David Lovering. The Pixies wasted little time in the set, with most songs following each other without interruption. It wasn't until eight songs in that the band paused long enough to offer more than a couple of words of stage banter. When I saw the group previously, I found their stage presence to be very static; but being only a few feet from them enabled me to appreciate their understated interactions, which showed them to be having a fun time within their workmanlike pace. If nothing else, it was amusing to see Kim resolutely inhaling her cigarettes in eight-second bursts throughout the night. The rapid approach kept the focus on the music, while a respectably long set gave the fans much to enjoy. Highlights of the concert included "Debaser," "Gouge Away," and "Monkey Gone to Heaven," although the band consistently sounded good, from the rawness of "Tame" through the quieter moodiness of "Hey." After bowing out with a jam-extended "Vamos," the Pixies returned for an encore comprising a second pass at "Wave of Mutilation" and a fun rendition of "Gigantic." My second Pixies experience afforded me a much better opportunity to actually see the band in action, as well as enabling me to hear them play a full set. Once again, the songs came across very well and I was quite impressed. Pixies setlist Main Set
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