Pixies Announce European Tour for "Doolittle" 20-Year Anniversary

Pixies will jump on the full-album-gig bandwagon to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1989 album Doolittle. Black Francis, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and David Lovering will perform the album in its entirety — with related B sides — on a 11-date U.K. and European tour that launches October 1st in Dublin (full itinerary after the jump). "We wanted to do something special for Doolittle's 20th anniversary," said Black Francis in a statement, "and we thought his was a good opportunity to play all of the songs from that album, something we don't normally do at a regular gig." Doolittle, the band's second full-length album, features breakthrough single "Here Comes Your Man," along with fan favorites "Wave of Mutilation," "Gouge Away" and "Monkey Gone to Heaven."

In mid-June, Pixies returned to the stage at the Isle of Wight festival, marking one of their first gigs since wrapping their 2004 reunion tour and its subsequent festival appearances. The band's monster Minotaur box set is on sale now.

Oct. 1 - Dublin, Ireland @ Olympia
Oct. 2 - Dublin, Ireland @ Olympia
Oct. 4 - Glasgow, Scotland @ SECC - Hall 4
Oct. 6 - London, England @ Brixton Academy
Oct. 7 - London, England @ Brixton Academy
Oct. 8 - London, England @ Brixton Academy
Oct. 9 - London, England @ Brixton Academy
Oct. 11 - Frankfurt, Germany @ Jahrhunderhalle
Oct. 13 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Heineken Music Hall
Oct. 14 - Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National
Oct. 15 - Paris, France @ Zenith

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter