Reunited, and it feels so good.
At least Pixies fans are hoping so, as rumors fly that the band is planning a reunion tour.
The band manager told Billboard.com the group will bury the hatchet and embark on a world tour in April. If the tour goes well, the band hopes to record an album.
On 4AD.com, the band’s former label’s Web site, there are no answers to questions of a reunion.
On the Web site 4AD posted this statement, “Although 4AD represented Pixies when they were an active band and continue to release their catalogue the label is not involved in their current activities so stop bugginus for news!”
With no official statement from the band or 4AD, fans are left to find encouragement from Frank Black, who confirmed full group rehearsals.
Black also told XFM, “We do get together and have private jams, but not for public consumption.”
There have also been confirmed plans in place to release a DVD of the band and a new compilation CD to be released in spring 2004. The Pixies might be best known for their song “Where is my Mind?” featured in the movie Fight Club. To those more familiar with the band, the Pixies are considered one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the late 80s.
The group inspired acts such as Nirvana with songs like “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Here Comes Your Man,” and “Debaser.”
Their sound blended punk rock and surf guitar styles with experimental lyrics. The melodies were instantly catchy, enabling their artsy sound to disguise itself as poppier fare.
The band was lead by Black Francis, who later changed his name to Frank Black. Singer/bassist Kim Deal, guitarist Joey Santiago, and drummer David Lovering rounded out the original lineup.
The group recorded several successful and critically acclaimed albums between 1986 and their collapse in 1992. The news comes as a shock to fans who know of the band’s quarrelsome past.
The band once broke-up in 1990 when singer/bassist Kim Deal announced onstage at a gig in Europe that they were breaking up.
The final breakup happened when singer/guitarist Frank Black faxed each member a statement announcing the group’s demise.
Problems seemed to stem from Kim Deal’s struggle to get her music on the band’s album, as well as clashes with Black.
Deal went on to form the Breeders, who enjoyed success in 1993 with the single “Cannonball.” Lovering and Santiago formed the Martinis in 1995.
Black recorded several solo albums and now tours with a backing band called the Catholics.
With all the bad blood between the band, questions arise if a reunion tour will even work.
Bands often break up and get back together years later, usually to mixed reviews and difficult sales.
Reunions are not always met with a positive outlook. Questions arise if the band fan base still cares, if the band will be any good, or if they could possibly get along again.
Even fans of the band are questioning the reunion. Judy Cunningham, an art history junior, is unsure about a reunion.
“Those things never work. It would be lovely if it did. They already had their glory days.,” said Cunningham.
Even singer Frank Black admitted his own apprehensions about the reunion.
In an interview with London XFM Radio in July, Black said his dreams of a reunion were those schoolboy dreams when you don’t do your homework and you don’t study for a test. “I’m at the gig and we’re hanging out, but it’s an utter failure, and I don know the songs and hardly anyone turns up for the gig and people walk out. That’s what I’m afraid of … that it’d be a big, big failure.” Until then, fans like Daniel Boutte, a landscape architechture junior, will just have to hold their breath and wait for the reunion they are hoping for.
“It’s great certainly. I encourage art and music to reform at any time,” said Boutte.