Few acts from the alternative rock era are as revered as the Pixies – a mix of punk roots, surf guitar, male/female vocal interplay, strange lyrics and a focus on dynamics that influenced everything from Nirvana to emo.
In 1992, a reportedly volatile breakup followed a high-profile opening slot on U2′s Zoo TV tour. Leader Black Francis went on to a solo career as Frank Black. Bassist Kim Deal fronted the Breeders. Guitarist Joey Santiago continued making music (sometimes with Black). Drummer David Lovering turned to magic – literally. when the band reunited in 2004, most fans doubted it could last.
But six years later, the original lineup celebrates 1989′s “Doolittle” album with a visually stunning tour that features the album and its B-sides. It hits Ovens Auditorium on Thursday. the Observer recently spoke to Lovering about the past, the future and the tour.
Q. was “Doolittle” a particularly special album?
Yeah. It was critically acclaimed and a favorite of a lot of people as a classic album. when I play it I remember the recording studio, the atmosphere, time of year. It brings back memories, and I’m not sick of it yet. the best thing about it is it’s an easy album for a drummer to play. I’m not dying every night.
Q. what makes it so?
It’s not a lot of punk songs compared to other albums we’ve done. It’s paced. It’s forgiving.
Q. do the visuals follow the look of the album?
In a way. We hired 10 video artists who did their own interpretation from each song on the album. they knew the 4AD (label’s) look. It was in the backs of their minds, but it’s their own take. obviously they’re all weird.
Q. can you imagine doing this for other albums?
We talked about it jokingly that the next year we’d do “Bossanova,” the album that came after “Doolittle.” I think we’re just joking. It would be nice to do “Surfer Rosa.” We were really happy with it.
Q. does what you were going through personally at the time influence your take on the records?
I don’t think. I think it’s the music itself. I definitely love “Doolittle.” There’s something about the rawness of it. I like “Surfer Rosa” better sonically. I think Joe may like “Bossanova” better. We all have a different take on it.
Q. How did you get into magic?
Basically I had a friend – another musician, Grant Lee Phillips. We went to a magic convention. I saw a trick that blew me away. This was 10 or 11 years ago. Since then I’ve studied and worked on it. so I can call myself a magician nowadays. if you told me 12 or 13 years ago, I’d just laugh. It would seem like the stupidest, geekiest thing. I enjoy it. It’s a nice, cool entertainment thing. plus, it’s easier on my business card. I can just change the U and the S in musician to an A and a G.
Q. do magicians tour?
Yes. you can. I’ve opened for the Pixies, the Breeders, all close-to-home stuff. I’ve done theater shows, worked at (Disney’s) Magic Castle, done festivals. being a musician is hard, but being a magician is 10 times as hard as far as making it.
We’re wondering that ourselves. (This tour) ends in South America in October. We’ve always been talking about recording something.
Q. Is there a lot of pressure to deliver something on par with the old albums?
There’s a little trepidation. whatever we do, it better be good. the four of us, we have that kind of chemistry. There’s something that comes from us that is the Pixies. It’s just if we do do something, it’s got to be good.
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