Dear Pixies,

First off, I won’t deny that I’m a huge fan. I can’t think of a better three-album run than Surfer Rosa (1988) —> Doolittle (1989) —> Bossanova (1990) in the history of indie rock, and I still listen to each of those on a surprisingly regular basis considering the most recent is (gasp) 21 years old. You guys rule. Seriously.

And your 2004 reunion tour was completely awesome. You covered everything I wanted to hear, nothing that I didn’t, and all of your songs have aged extremely well. I was totally OK with you touring without a new record because nearly every time a band makes a “reunion” album to justify what’s basically a Greatest Hits cash grab, it SUCKS. You knew better than to tarnish your legacy, and clearly know what side your bread is buttered on. I appreciate that.

I’m also cool with Black Francis spouting off to the media about how all Pixies tours are about the money now because, well, you’re all entitled to make a living, and the people responsible for “Bone Machine” should be compensated for it somehow. Regardless, the recent tours featuring nothing but Doolittle and B-sides front-to-back seem a little desperate, and tickets weren’t cheap. At the least you could switch it up a bit by doing Surfer Rosa or even Trompe Le Monde (1991) in full. Or why not two sets with all of Doolittle, and then additional hits?

So now I get this email entitled “Doolittle Tickets For You” from lalapixiesloveyou.com and my heart sinks a little. You’re offering presale tickets to hear Doolittle again that “carry no fees and are LESS than at any public ticket outlet,” which I guess is admirable. Way to stick it to Ticketbastard. Except that a single ticket for a “center” seat at the Tower Theatre outside Philadelphia is going for 86 bucks. For sixty minutes of music. You aren’t the Beatles, and Doolittle isn’t Abbey Road (1969). (And besides, Surfer Rosa is better.)

I guess what I’m trying to say is: gimme a fucking break.

Yours Truly,
David G.