Some things change and some things stay the same, both in the real world and in the world of Frank Black and co’s Pixies. Take Um Chagga Lagga, taken from their recently announced second ‘post-reunion’ album Head Carrier, out on September 30th via Pixiesmusic/Play it again Sam. It’s got all those things we love about Pixies – Black’s sung/shouted vocals plastered over the top of these sometimes sour, sometimes scything guitar lines as the whole thing treads a line somewhere between punk, surf rock and psychedelia. Plus, as is Pixies want, its impossibly catchy, in a weird, messed up way.
But there’s changes too. Recorded in London at Rak studios with Tom Dalgety (Killing Joke, Royal Blood) on production duties, this is a new Pixies – one’s which these days are very much masters of their own destiny – the record comes out through their own label and ticketing for their new, expanded European tour driven from their website. So, for example, there’s a special limited edition deluxe box set of Head Carrier is available exclusively through Pixiesmusic.com, and includes the CD, the album on heavy-weight/180 grams black vinyl, and a 24-page, oversized booklet with the song’s lyrics and Vaughan Oliver’s (their long time album cover artist – something else which stays the same) evocative, original artwork. Also available only through the band’s website is a special bundle that includes the deluxe box set, special t-shirt, and a special 12” x 12” record sleeve sized poster.
All tour dates to support Head Carrier are listed below. Go to Pixiesmusic.com for ticketing info.
NOVEMBER
15 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
16 Hala Arena, Poznan, Poland
17 Forum Karlin, Prague, Czech Republic
18 Auditorium Stravinski, Montreux, Switzerland
20 Sant Jordi Club, Barcelona, Spain
21 Coliseu, Porto, Portugal
23 Zenith, Paris, France
24 Palladium, Köln, Germany
25 Lotto, Antwerp, Belgium
27 HMH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
28 Brixton Academy, London, UK
29 Brixton Academy, London, UK
30 Academy, Leeds, UK
DECEMBER
02 Barrowland, Glasgow, UK
03 Academy, Newcastle, UK
04 Apollo, Manchester, UK
