The Pixies, who are now closing in on the 30 year mark since their initial formation, stopped by the Palace last Friday on their current North America tour. Since their inception in the mid to late 80’s, the Pixies have become one of the most influential bands of the last 25 years.
To give one example of the band’s influence, possibly the most famous, you have to look no further than the late Nirvana front man, Kurt Cobain. In reference to the creation of the pivotal track “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Cobain was quoted as saying, “I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies.”
It’s always interesting to see how a band is going to craft their set list. Some start off with their most well-known material to get an initial energetic response from the already antsy crowd, while others ease into it.
The Pixies open with Ana, a smooth, slower tempo track to warm their fingers up to, as well as the crowd and stage lights. And with that they drive into Wave of Mutilation. Lead singer and song writer, Frank Black, or Black Francis as he also goes by, hasn’t lost his touch. Black is known for his incredible vocal range and he still has it. He often transitions from high notes to a deep and hollow scream with ease. With the exception of bassist, Kim Deal, all original Pixies are present. In her place is new bassist Paz Lenchantin.
The Pixies then dive into some new material from last year’s release “Indie Cindy.” Indie Cindy is their first studio release since 1991’s Trompe Le Monde. The second half, the Pixies really commit to the classics. Lenchantin does a great job filling in Deal’s spots. Echoing Black’s vocals in tracks like “Hey”, if you didn’t know any better you would think Deal was on stage. Lenchantin doesn’t miss a step in perhaps the Pixies most well-known track “Where Is My Mind?”
They close with Vamos, at which point, lead guitarist, Joey Santiago, places his guitar on a guitar stand center stage and walks away only to commence playing with his foot pedals like a guitar snake charmer.
As the Pixies exit the stage, the crowd’s standing ovation brings them back for an encore. The Pixies again take stage, they tear into Debaser. After Debaser they thank the crowd and exit the stage once again.
And onward to the next city they go, still a force to reckon with.
Photos: Courtesy of Elliott Carter
