Tom Lynch

What was it, like six months ago when the announcement came, that the long-rumored reunion of one the best foursomes in rock history was on, and that the band would play three back-to-back-to-back shows at the Aragon? Nobody believed it. There were the mysterious black posters that just said "Pixies" scrolled in hypnotic cursive, and secret show sewing-circle discussions involving Double Door, and misinformation that a new record had already been recorded. But the tickets went on sale, the shows sold out at a record pace, a fourth show was added, then a fifth, then it seemed that the Pixies were never going to leave. Aragon has never hosted a band for five consecutive dates, but if rock's records are made to be broken, than let them be shattered by Black Francis (it feels good to call him that again), Kim Deal, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, the mad scientists of post-whatever rock, the band that opened too many doors to count, that inspired Kurt Cobain to pick up a guitar and scream as loud as possible. Sure, Frank Black had some pretty good albums with his Catholics, and Kim Deal went The Breeders route and made two of the best rock records of the nineties, but a Pixies reunion could be life-altering to some, especially those who were simply too young to catch the band fifteen years ago. There may never be another rock reunion this satisfying. Where would we be without the Pixies? I don't even care to know.

The Pixies play November 13-17 at the Aragon, 1106 West Lawrence, (773)561-9500. Tickets are available only for November 17.

(2004-11-09)

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