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The Pixies play the Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Dear unborn grandkids,
I saw the Pixies Wednesday night. They’re the ones you’ll be reading about in your rock history classes, the magnificently thrashy quartet that influenced Nirvana in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, back when nobody but Kurt Cobain was listening, then broke up acrimoniously and seemed unlikely ever to reunite.
A lot of people discovered the Pixies since then, though, and their show Wednesday (the first of two at this huge place called the Fox Theatre) sold out months ago. It was the most-anticipated rock show of the year, and I knew you’d want to hear about it.
Going into the night, I was expecting a glorious volcanic eruption from a long-dormant mountain of rock.
You know what it felt like instead? It felt like walking downstairs on Christmas Eve and seeing Santa Claus delivering your presents. In a way, it was amazing. But when you spend the last decade imagining what that moment would be like, it’s jarring to discover that he’s just a tubby guy with crumbs in his beard.
The band only seemed into the show about half the time. The frontman, Frank Black, is known for singing in this weird mix of English and Spanish and animal barks, but he somehow found a way to make all that howling seem conventional. Hustling through the setlist and barely acknowledging the audience, he acted like a human jukebox up there, cranking out the old favorites just because somebody dropped a quarter in the slot. In his defense, screaming about sliced eyeballs must get tiresome after all these years, but it was frustrating waiting for him to scream like he meant it.
The guitarist, Joey Santiago, is one of the most underrated and influential players of his generation — he plays guitar like bricks play windows — but he often looked bored, as though he was reading aloud in front of a class.
Fortunately, the rhythm section (singer/bassist Kim Deal and drummer David Lovering) seemed like they were happy to be there. Deal sang hard and played well, and she appeared most appreciative of the rapturous audience; several times she smiled like a child. Lovering’s drumming was the most urgent music on stage, pushing his bandmates along.
At times, all four Pixies clicked. And when they did, they were glorious.
“Vamos� was a shredder, with Santiago (as if awaking from a trance) unexpectedly setting his guitar on a stand so he could play a meltdown solo using his effects pedal and a drumstick. And Black seemed to be in the moment screaming “IT’S EDUCATIONAL,� during the refrain of “U-Mass.�
Usually, the band’s lesser-known material (the above two songs, plus “Hey� and “Nimrod’s Son�) sounded best. (One exception, the popular tune “Gigantic,� sounded great because Deal’s vocals are so adorable, and because the melody is invincibly catchy.)
As for the Pixies’ classics, well, their two versions of “Wave of Mutilation� were flatter than roadkill, and the Beatlesque “Here Comes Your Man� fared no better.
At the show’s peaks, I caught myself playing air guitar and slapping some dude five. In its valleys, I caught myself yawning and writing the word “professional� in my notebook. That’s about the last adjective I ever expected to associate with this band.
In the Fox lobby, you could buy tour T-shirts with “Pixies Sellout� on the back, a wry sentiment consistent with the gallows humor in Black’s writing. I happen to think the Pixies deserve every penny they’re getting on this reunion tour — I consider the money they’re making as back-pay, compensation for all the bands that got rich in the last 10 years ripping them off — but I do wish the musicians still loved their material as much as they once did. I wish there were a little more magic left.
My parents, your great-grandparents, always told me to stay in bed on Christmas Eve, never to come downstairs. Now I know why.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Pop Music
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By Ricky
October 14, 2004 9:33 AM | Link to this
Perhaps the reviewer of this show should a) get better seats and b) actually be a fan of the music he reviews. This review reminds me of the Simpson’s episode where Homer is a food critic and likes everything and then is told by the other critics that he should hate everything. I was close enough to see that all 4 WERE enjoying themselves throughout…but may indeed be a little tired given the amount of shows they’ve performed to date. Did you expect them to just gush constantly? Who the hell would want to see that? There’s music to be played!! And by the way, “professional” is a problem? How the hell old do you think these guys are? It was an outstanding performance and even though I am a huge fan I believe this quartet should follow the lead of their contemporaries (amazing how little the reviewer actually knows about music) Bauhaus (take a listen if you don’t believe me) and finish this tour and then promptly disband leaving us all with a truly indelible memory. By the way AJC, get a better person to review your shows.
By agent7g
October 14, 2004 12:27 PM | Link to this
Yeah only Kurt “nobrains” Cobain was listening to the Pixies in the 80’s, I guess thats why the Pixies records sold close to 500,00 copies apiece and had a following large enough to warrant sold-out shows all over earth, anytime they played, not just this “sell-out” tour. There are no bands from the 80’s that could take the stage the way the Pixies did last night. I’m not saying they didn’t miss a couple of times, but not many bands would be brave enough to reach as far back into their catalog as the Pixies have done all tour long. The beautiful thing about the Pixies is that even though the songs are 15-20 years old and the players are now in their 40’s the tracks still sound as fresh as they did the first time you heard them. Since the person who wrote the review was probably not into the Pixies during their heyday, its hard to take their criticism seriously. The ajc should stick to covering acts that their critics might know a thing or two about. Comparing the show to some boyhood fantasy about finding Santa Claus is stupid. Santa Claus is a story, the Pixies are real people, playing great music and no they are not perfect. If everyone got as hyped as this reviewer did, there is going to be dissappointment, but if you put the excitement in the build-up to the show, instead of actually enjoying the show then I guess you are still a child who believes in fairy tales.
By Nick M
October 14, 2004 2:41 PM | Link to this
Nick,
Your a dork. Get a real job.
By Brian
October 14, 2004 2:54 PM | Link to this
Great review. Captured my feelings perfectly. I dont care if you were the first Pixies fan ever and were into them in 1988. If you think that was a great show, you need to get out more. Believe it or not, there are bands out there (with 40-year old members!) that are excited and play with an energy that is contagious. The crowd supplied its own energy last night, but that energy was beaten down by the band acting like a human jukebox. I found myself wondering what their plans were for after the show. They were obviously important. I will say the music sounded great — fefinitely well rehearsed, but maybe too much so. Santa Claus is a story, the Pixies are real people? Are you kidding me? The reviewer is making an analogy about a feeling of being let down. It isn’t that difficult to understand. It certainly isn’t stupid, either. It captures my feelings perfectly. I understand the need to try to convince yourself you saw a good show, especially after spending $40 on it, but I dont care how close you were (not a bad seat in the Fox, by the way), the band had very little erergy. There are plenty of bands from the 80’s the can and do take the stage far better than the Pixies did last night. There are also bands from right now that play for $10 that take the stage better. Dont expect people to simply lap up everything they did, just because they are the Pixies. It wasn’t a terrible show, but it was not a particularly good show. If you enjoyed it, that’s great — there’s no need to be disrespectful to someone who sees shows for a living, and knows a good one (and a sub-par one) when they see it. Excellent review.
By BaldWithGlasses
October 14, 2004 3:09 PM | Link to this
I completely concur with the above sentiments. One person with whom i spoke evn mentioned that maybe the fault lies in the stuffiness of the Fox.
but no matter the watch is made, here’s what time it is regarding the show: clinically precise, though somewhat lacking in that all-essential gut-grab of good “RAWK”.
By Mom of a Pixie Fan
October 14, 2004 4:30 PM | Link to this
They better be EXCELLENT tonight! My daughter has been looking forward to this since March, and even overpaid to get the best seat she could afford. May they be cursed with a POX if they let her down!!!
By Reid
October 15, 2004 9:08 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about the negative comments — while I’d like to be bashing the reviewer just like you, I’m afraid I saw pretty much the same show Nick Marino did. Granted, it wasn’t necessarily a BAD show and there were moments of brilliance (“Vamos” and “Gigantic” stood out). But while the sound and performance was top-notch, it did feel a little bit rote and perfunctory, sort of like getting your fast-food french fries piping hot, but without enough salt on them. I loved the relentlessness of one short song right after another, but for the most part, there were few of those elements — like crowd interaction and banter — that separate a live show from simply listening to the CDs at top volume. I went to the show with another knowledgeable music fan, and “professional” was the word we agreed on even before this review was posted. I was also a little disappointed not to hear the new single, “Bam Thwok,” which to me was a hopeful sign that Pixies were planning on being a vital, active band again. I still found it worth my money (especially with The Thrills opening - I love those guys) but I found myself wondering if Frank Black would still be giving it up like that if the the checks weren’t the proper amount.
(I spent my teens and early 20s bashing the baby boomers for overpaying to see their overrated idols reunite for arena shows, and darn if I didn’t feel like I was doing the same thing. Next week I think I’ll go see Macha at the Echo Lounge to wash off the boomer-itis. grin)
By Cliff
October 15, 2004 10:23 AM | Link to this
Well, I must say, I felt 10 years younger last night, rocking to the same tunes (played loud, tight, and live) that I loved in the early 90s when I finally found the Pixies. I could not care less what they looked like or how much they smiled or engaged the audience. I actually thought it was cool they didn’t care. The fact is, they rocked the house, they played the songs we all wanted to hear, and I was thrilled, as was my wife, who had never seen them. I won’t forget this show.
By Jamie
October 15, 2004 11:47 AM | Link to this
Thursday night was my first, and probably only, Pixies show. This show was exactly what one should expect from a group of people who have not really spoken, much less played together, in about 10 years. They have all gone in such different directions (the drummer quit his magician job to come back on tour) and let’s face it, when they broke up, they really broke up. There were unkind words exchanged, it was not an amicable split. So, they get the honor of playing for their legions of fans in some of the best venues in America? When the Pixies came to Atlanta in 1990, they must not have played the amazing Fox Theatre (more like the Cotton Club if I am guessing correctly). My reaction? Good for them! Way to go! Your songs still rule, you still sound great. Kim Deal still makes people grin ear to ear and Frank Black sounded great. My advice if asked? Finish this one great tour and go back to your other lives. Don’t become one of those pitiful Music Midtown “reunion” bands that churn out their songs with blank expressions and standard stage banter. I hope they had fun up there. We all did.
By Long Time Fan
October 15, 2004 12:17 PM | Link to this
As a veteran of 3 live shows “back in the day”, I can tell you it was the best I’ve seen. The Pixies were never about putting on a big stage show. Their charm is that they are real people that rock and have great songs. That’s it. That’s the point. If you need a “big show” Cher is coming to town real soon.
By Foster K
October 15, 2004 2:05 PM | Link to this
I attended BOTH shows, and felt about the same as everyone else: the music was great but the band itself was lifeless. I remember seeing them in high school back in 1988, and they had a lot more energy, I realize they were 16 yrs younger at the time.
In comparing the shows, I thought the Wednesday show had more of a “greatest hits” set list, compared to Thursday, which was more deep cuts. They played about half of the Wednesday set list on Thursday as well, but no worries.
I understand how everyone feels, especially after buying tickets months ago, that probably got everyone’s hopes up thinking about the gig the last few weeks…
By Jeff
October 15, 2004 2:52 PM | Link to this
Some people go to a show to see the band and some go to hear the music. Obviously, Nick Marino was there for the former rather than the latter.
Who cares if they acknowledged the audience or one another? The music was powerful, and if they performed it with a smile on their faces, well…yippee. It was loud, it was rocking, and it was done well…professional if you will. Nick Marino seems to believe that the word “profesisonal” should apply to everything but performing music. But I have a news flash for him: The Pixies ARE professionals. They are paid to record and perform music. All we as fans should realistically expect is that they do it to the best of their ability. And the Pixies met that expectation on Wed. night. If Mr. Marino can’t see that, then someone needs to explain to him that, despite his adolescent notions to the contrary, it is a business.
By Alex
October 15, 2004 4:13 PM | Link to this
I had a really great time last night. I agree that they could have been a little more lively on stage, but based on what I saw up there, it seemed to me like the band was more concerned with the music than anything else. I was happy to hear how well rehearsed everything was, the songs, went right into eachother, hit after hit and I enjoyed this constant supply of music. …i’m not mad at the review at all. I had a really really amazing time, i’m smiling about it right now. man oh man i’ll remember last night.
By Mike
October 15, 2004 4:42 PM | Link to this
Only a moron who writes for the Journal-Constitution could have a bad time at the Pixies. But don’t worry Nick, that Matchbox Twenty tour you’ve been waiting for is coming soon.
By Jim
October 15, 2004 6:01 PM | Link to this
Thursday’s show was great. The Pixies were never rock stars; they simply made great music. Sure, a little more love for the audience would have been nice… maybe a corny story about Santiago’s roomie would have been cute. Their straight ahead, tight performance was all I needed. Frank Black screaming “Tame” and giving a small solo, Lovering and Deal pounding out the beat, and generations of fans rocking loudly were gravy. Santa Claus may be a let down, but I got the present I wanted.
By Chris
October 25, 2004 4:10 PM | Link to this
Review pretty much nailed it on the head. I had fun, but it wasnt like when I saw them in Miami 14(?) years ago. and yeah, more power to them, hope they made a bunch of money with the tour, the deserve it.