For the second time since reuniting, the Pixies will be making their second stop in San Diego on Saturday, and for the second time, this once adoring fan will not be in attendance. Unlike the first time in which I boycotted their show out of principle, refusing to pay thirty-five bucks to see a band play fifteen-year-old songs, this time I'll be staying away because of my general dislike of festivals, particularly ones that are held in stadium parking lots. I hate not seeing the Pixies, though I'm still not sure I'm a fan of this reunion. I keep wondering what they are doing other than padding their pockets, and until they put out new material worthy of paying more than a few bucks to see performed live, I'll continue to miss their shows. Still, it would be nice to see "Debaser" live.
So just what does a band such as the Pixies demand on their rider? According to the San Diego Reader's "Blurt" section:
[T]he "male dressing room" (Frank Black, Joey Santiago, David Lovering) needs a sliced smoked salmon platter, a tin of Suisse Mocha International Coffee, a veggie platter "with hummus," and a cheese selection "to include roule" (flavored with herbs). The 48 beers must be nonalcoholic and any bottled water is okay, except Aquafina. The guys also want eight packs of foam earplugs ("yellow sponge ones"). Kim Deal's dressing room requires only still water, spring water, and a 12-pack of nonalcoholic beer.
You can see an actual copy of a Pixies' concert rider here.
And if you prefer free and don't mind some pixelated Pixies, check out this site for some rare Pixies videos, including some of Frank Black with hair. {via}
Or you can listen to a new BBC Radio documentary on the band. Narrated by Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme.
The "stadium scene" line up is incredible though, you gotta give me props for getting those bands.
Posted by: Beckie | July 29, 2005 at 11:44 AM
There was a girl in my office who had Debaser as her ringtone for her cell. It ruined that song for me. I can't stand hearing the intro to the song anymore.
I feel the same way you do Jeff about the Pixies reunion. I don't want to pay a lot of money to see a band I happily remember from my younger days. It'd be like seeing Dinosaur Jr. or Husker Du or something. We're all older and I too wonder if they are just doing for the money.
Posted by: bookdwarf | July 29, 2005 at 12:20 PM
I've been really upset by the Pixies' avarice and I too have refused to attend. Here in the Bay Area, there have been several opportunities But the Pixies are not fucking U2. The ticket prices have been ridiculous. I'd have more respect for them if they were just honest about their greed and called this The Pixies Retirement Fund Tour.
Posted by: ed | July 29, 2005 at 01:30 PM
Thanks so much for posting the link to that wonderful documentary! I never thought I'd hear one of my favorite singers talking about one of my favorite bands. That was awesome!
Posted by: Alicia | July 31, 2005 at 10:45 PM
I just wish that I had seen them when I was in college in 1992. If I had known they were going to break up for a decade and a half, maybe I would have pressed my SO more to go with me. Or maybe not.
They still sound pretty good, if Austin City Limits is any indication. But I won't be attending the reunion, either.
Posted by: Bill S. | August 02, 2005 at 12:33 AM