It's Official—Original Pixies Lineup Reunited

They're talking, they're rehearsing, and they're going to perform together for the first time in more than a decade. The Pixies, acclaimed as one of the most influential pioneers of the late '80s alt/rock movement, and who effectively blazed the path for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam to rise to superstardom, have officially confirmed their much-anticipated reunion. The original lineup—Frank Black (vocals, guitar), Joey Santiago (guitar), Kim Deal (bass) and David Lovering (drums)—are already holed up in a Southern California rehearsal space working together for the first time since they disbanded in 1993.

In April, The Pixies will kick off an 11-city "warm-up" tour of North America, marking the first time they've toured together since 1992's "ZOO TV" tour in support of U2. This string of dates will culminate on May 1 when the band co-headlines (with Radiohead and Kraftwerk) the first night of this year's Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to be held at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, CA. The band will then embark on a European tour starting May 28 and ending July 10.

Later this year, 4AD/Beggars Banquet will release PIXIES, a DVD that features four elements: eight Pixies videos ("Debaser," "Here Comes Your Man," "Monkey Gone to Heaven," "Velouria," "Dig For Fire/Allison," "Alec Eiffel," and "Head On"; a live concert filmed in 1988 at the Town and Country Club in London; a Pixies documentary, Gouge, which features interviews with Thom Yorke, David Bowie, and Bono, among others, as well as behind the scenes footage.

Also a "best of" album with the working title Wave Of Mutilation - Best of Pixies will be in stores later this year and will offer twenty-three tracks including a remixed "Debaser," "Here Comes Your Man," "Gigantic," "Allison," "Nimrod's Son," "Dig For Fire," and "Monkey Gone to Heaven."

The Pixies formed in Boston in 1986 when Charles Thompson dropped out of college and convinced his friend and roommate, Joey Santiago, to do the same. The two recruited bassist Kim Deal who suggested drummer David Lovering join the group, and the lineup was made official. Thompson adopted the stage name Black Francis and the group named themselves The Pixies after flipping through a dictionary. The Pixies quickly gained a cult following and critical acclaim for their signature blend of screaming punk noise, indie guitar rock, classic pop, and surf-rock riffs mixed with melodic hooks and Francis' bizarre lyrics about religion, UFOs and metaphysics.

During their six years together, The Pixies released five albums on the 4AD label—Come on Pilgrim (1987); Surfer Rosa (1988); Doolittle (1989); Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991). Experiencing particular success in the U.K. and Europe, The Pixies played sold-out festivals and Doolittle was named the the "Second Best Album Ever" by British rock mag NME. The band's influence was far-reaching; U2's Bono referred to The Pixies as "one of America's greatest bands ever"; David Bowie called their work "just about the most compelling music of the entire '80s"; and Kurt Cobain, who identified Surfer Rosa as his favorite album of that entire decade, confessed, when writing "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Basically, I was ripping off The Pixies."

Tour dates for The Pixies' reunion tour will be announced shortly.

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