Out Now: Reissue of ‘Pixies At The BBC, 1988-1991’
Pixies by Tom Sheehan (Boston, Jan 1988)
Today, the reissue of Pixies at the BBC, 1988-91 is released on 4AD, pressed for the first time on vinyl and available digitally and on double CD. The day also marks the first night of the band’s sold-out UK and European tour at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin.
Between 1988 and 1991 – during the band’s 4AD years – Pixies recorded six sessions for the BBC, five for John Peel and one for Mark Goodier. Catching the raw energy of the band’s live performances, these sessions felt immediately noteworthy, timestamping a moment when Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering were motoring out front.
Among the twenty-four tracks they recorded in this period (inc. two doubles – ‘Allison’ and ‘Wave of Mutilation’) are favourites from mini-album Come on Pilgrim and three of their four 4AD studio albums. Also recorded were three covers; reworks of The Beatles’ ‘Wild Honey Pie’, Eraserhead’s ‘(In Heaven) Lady in the Radiator Song’ and The Beach Boys’ ‘Hang On To Your Ego’, a track Black Francis covered a few years later on his debut Frank Black solo album.
Originally released on CD in 1998, this reboot now sees all tracks from the six sessions included and presented in chronological order. Something fans have been asking for. Coming as both a triple black vinyl LP and double CD, the sleeve is also new with a wonderful black and gold design by Chris Bigg now adorning it. A design that really stands out, Chris pays loving tribute to the band’s late-visual director Vaughan Oliver, using unseen archival Pixies imagery by long-time collaborator Simon Larbalestier.
Watch the new video for the track ‘Ana’ HERE or via the player below.
Official Video by Michael Speed
Tower Records – Dublin, Ireland
Piccadilly Records – Manchester, UK
Rough Trade East – London, UK
Concerto – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
FNAC – Paris, France
Bossanova x Trompe Le Monde Tour:
8, 9, 10 March – Dublin, Ireland, Olympia Theatre SOLD OUT
12, 13, 14 March – Manchester, UK, Albert Hall SOLD OUT
16, 17, 18 March – London, UK, O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
20, 21, 22 March – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Paradiso SOLD OUT
25, 26, 27 March – Paris, France, L’Olympia SOLD OUT
31 May – North Charleston, SC, USA, Firefly Distillery * SOLD OUT
1 June – Charlotte, NC, USA, PNC Music Pavilion *
2 June – Nashville, TN, USA, Ascend Amphitheater *
4 June – Atlanta, GA, USA, Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park *
5 June – Cincinnati, OH, USA, The Andrew J Brady Music Center *
8 June – Toronto, Canada, Budweiser Stage *
9 June – Laval, Canada, Place Bell *
11 June – Gilford, NH, USA, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion *
12 June – Philadelphia, PA, USA, TD Pavilion at The Mann *
14 June – Columbia, MD, USA, Merriweather Post Pavilion *
15 June – Queens, NY, USA, Forest Hills Stadium *
16 June – Mansfield, MA, USA, Xfinity Center *
18 June – Sterling Heights, MI, USA, Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *
19 June – Chicago, IL, USA, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *
20 June – Minneapolis, MN, USA Surly Brewing Festival Field * SOLD OUT
22 June – Madison, WI, USA, Breese Stevens Field *
23 June – Waukee, IA, USA, Vibrant Music Hall *
24 June – Kansas City, MO, USA, Starlight Theatre *
26 June – Austin, TX, USA, Germania Insurance Amphitheater *
27 June – Irving, TX, USA, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory *
28 June – Rogers, AR, USA, Walmart AMP *
30 June – Greenwood Village, CO, USA, Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre *
24 July – Barcelona, Spain, Razzmatazz SOLD OUT
26 July – Benidorm, Spain, Low Festival
28 July – Madrid, Spain, Noches Del Botanico SOLD OUT
30 July – Salon-de-provence, France, Chateau de l’Emperi SOLD OUT
1, 2 August – Nijmegen, Netherlands, Openluchttheater de Goffert SOLD OUT
4 August – Braine-le-Comte, Belgium, Ronquières Festival
5 August – Lokeren, Belgium, Lokerse Feesten
7 August – Luxembourg-city, Luxembourg, den Atelier SOLD OUT
8 August – Schwetzingen, Germany, Schlossgarten Schwetzingen
10 August – Prague, Czechia, Forum Karlin
13, 14 August – Helsinki, Finland, Kulttuuritalo SOLD OUT
16 August – Bodø, Norway, Parkenfestivalen
17 August – Trondheim, Norway, Pstereo
20 August – Glasgow, Scotland, Academy SOLD OUT
21 August – Halifax, UK, The Piece Hall SOLD OUT
23 August – London, UK, All Points East
24 August – Old Portsmouth, UK, Victorious Festival
27 August – Carnmore East, Ireland, Galway Summer Sessions
28 August – Belfast, UK, Custom House Square SOLD OUT
29 August – Dublin, Ireland, RDS Simmons Court
8, 10 November – Auckland, New Zealand, Go Media Stadium (Mt Smart Stadium) ^
13 November – Gold Coast, Australia, Heritage Bank Stadium ^ SOLD OUT
16, 18 November – Melbourne, Australia, Marvel Stadium ^
21, 23 November – Sydney, Australia, Giants Stadium ^
* with Modest Mouse and Cat Power
^ with Pearl Jam
8 March 2024
[4AD0635]
Formats: 3 x LP, 2 x CD + Digital
Order Here
Tracklist
John Peel Session 3rd May 1988
1. Levitate Me
2. Hey
3. In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Song)
4. Wild Honey Pie
5. Caribou
John Peel Session 9th October 1988
6. Dead
7. Tame
8. There Goes My Gun
9. Manta Ray
John Peel Session 16th April 1989
10. Down To The Well
11. Into The White
12. Wave Of Mutilation
John Peel Session 11th June 1990
13. Allison
14. Velouria
15. Hang On To Your Ego
16. Is She Weird
Mark Goodier Session 18th August 1990
17. Monkey Gone To Heaven
18. Ana
19. Allison
20. Wave Of Mutilation
John Peel Session 23rd June 1991
21. Palace Of The Brine
22. Letter To Memphis
23. Motorway To Roswell
24. Subbacultcha