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 time period (inc. two doubles - ‘Allison’ and ‘Wave of Mutilation’) are favorites 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.
Differing from the original 1998 compilation, this reboot sees all tracks from the six sessions now included and presented in chronological order. Something fans have been asking for. 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 here to the band’s late-visual director Vaughan Oliver, using unseen archival Pixies imagery by long-time collaborator Simon Larbalestier. On the same day as this release, Pixies will be in Dublin on the first night of a sold-out tour where they’re playing both albums Bossanova and Trompe le Monde in full.
1 Levitate Me John Peel Session (3rd May 1988)
2 Down to the Well John Peel Session (16th April 1989)
3 Hey John Peel Session (3rd May 1988)
4 Into the White John Peel Session (16th April 1989)
5 In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song) John Peel Session (3rd May 1988)
6 Wave of Mutilation John Peel Session (16th April 1989)
7 Wild Honey Pie John Peel Session (3rd May 1988)
8 Caribou John Peel Session (3rd May 1988)
9 Dead John Peel Session (9th October 1988)
10 Tame John Peel Session (9th October 1988)
11 There Goes My Gun John Peel Session (9th October 1988)
12 Manta Ray John Peel Session (9th October 1988)
13 Allison John Peel Session (11th June 1990)
14 Velouria John Peel Session (11th June 1990)
15 Hang on to Your Ego John Peel Session (11th June 1990)
16 Is She Weird John Peel Session (11th June 1990)
17 Monkey Gone to Heaven Mark Goodier Session (18th August 1990)
18 Ana Mark Goodier Session (18th August 1990)
19 Allison Mark Goodier Session (18th August 1990)
20 Wave of Mutilation Mark Goodier Session (18th August 1990)
21 Palace of the Brine John Peel Session (23rd June 1991)
22 Letter to Memphis John Peel Session (23rd June 1991)
23 Motorway to Roswell John Peel Session (23rd June 1991)
24 Subbacultcha John Peel Session (23rd June 1991)