The Pixies

The Pixies are an indie rock band formed by Black Francis (born Charles Thompson IV)-- lead vocals, rhythm guitar--and Joey Santiago--lead guitar--at UMass. David Lovering was added as drummer as was the semi-fabulous Kim Deal--bass, backing vocals--who got the job not knowing how to play bass. Deal left in 2013 and was replaced by Kim Shattuck.  In December Paz Lenchantin, a willowy Argentinean, took over bass for the new tour. They are intensely popular among a narrow but devoted fan base and have been influential in the popular music world. (Kurt Cobain attributes "Teen Spirit" to an effort to mimic The Pixies.)

They are different. Francis is an unlikely looking lead singer, Santiago just peculiar looking and somehow the band knows they need the softening of a female bass and have always been successful in finding one.

Their music is intense and driving but not overwhelming and unintelligible. Their lyrics are strange, full of incest, aliens, biblical violence, mutilation and sex.

The current tour performance was fun, loud and raucous. The band seemed to enjoy the night, they play well and Lenchantin is a good, subtle addition. The lyrics, as with all such performances, were lost except to those disciples who knew every word. This is not David Bowie where you walk away remembering specifics, this is an experience of general intensity but absolutely enjoyable.

The warm-up band, FIDLAR, is a four man California garage/punk band; the two Kuehn brothers were pretty good musicians, especially the drummer. They were appropriately loud and did some typical falling about. It is said that in response to the noise and discord, several in the audience confessed to war crimes and one girl experienced an exorcism.

The audience was notable. The weather was very bad and might well have been a factor but there seemed to be no effort put in by the crowd, no style or esprit. This was true even of the women who seemed to accept the scruffy utilitarian look of the men. They were energetic during the show but, individually, there was a sad quality about them. They looked as if they all had somehow given up, as if experience was all they had to look forward to.