Scratch that, the Pixies are coming to America after all!

By Alex Young on July 13th, 2009

Between Frank Black’s upcoming solo endeavors and The Breeders’ newly announced U.S. tour, it was reasonable to believe that we wouldn’t be getting any Pixies reunion tour tour dates here in the states anytime soon — after all, that’s what we concluded. Well, it turns out we were completely wrong… and we couldn’t be more happy about it!

According to Spin, the Pixies will indeed hit North America this fall to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band’s legendary album, Doolittle. Following its upcoming European dates, the quartet will hit “Oakland, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, New York City, and ‘maybe Montreal’ this fall,” Black confirmed. Exact details have yet to be announced, but the frontman did go on to note that the band will be playing Doolittle in its entirety at each show.

And if that wasn’t enough, Spin also raises the possibility that the Pixies may continue their reunion into 2010, which will mark the 20th anniversary of Bossa Nova.

In other words, stay tuned…

Pixies 2009 Tour Dates:
10/01 - Dublin, IE @ Olympia
10/02 - Dublin, IE @ Olympia
10/04 - Glasgow, UK @ SECC
10/06 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
10/07 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
10/08 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
10/09 - London, UK @ Brixton Academy
10/11 - Frankfurt, DE @ Jahrhunderhalle
10/13 - Amsterdam, NL @ Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall
10/14 - Brussels, BE @ Forest National
10/15 - Paris, FR @ Zenith

The Breeders 2009 Tour Dates:
08/05 - Newport, KY @ Southgate House *
08/06 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vouge *
08/07 - St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill *
08/08 - Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck *
08/09 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown *
08/11 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Cafe *
08/12 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre *
08/13 - Chicago, IL @ Metro *
08/14 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom *
08/15 - Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Place *
08/17 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Ballroom *
08/18 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
08/19 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
08/21 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat *
08/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Diesel Club Lounge *
08/23 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall *

* = w/ Whispertown 2000

Grand Duchy 2009 Tour Dates:
07/16 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
07/17 - Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
07/18 - New York, NY @ Siren Music Festival
07/19 - Cambrdige, MA @ Middle East
07/24 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
07/25 - Chicago, IL @ Wicker Park Festival

Black Francis 2009 Tour Dates:
07/14 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Cafe
07/15 - Easton, MD @ Avalon Theatre
07/20 - Wellfleet, MA @ Beachcomber
07/23 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
07/29 - Denver, CO @ Walnut Room
08/02 - Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
08/04 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre

Personally... I'm looking forward to the Seattle Black Francis concert where *hopefully* the Pixies will reunite to play DOOLITTLE in its ENTIRETY!!!

The Triple Door - Black Francis on 8/2

Amazon Music - Doolittle by The Pixies only $9.99

If you are unlucky enough to find yourself at ground zero on Z-Day, the following survival tips may increase your chances of staying alive (well at least until the sequel anyway).

Always Aim For The Head

A sure fire way to put down a Zombie permanently is to destroy the brain, when choosing a weapon fight the urge to get a gun only designed to impress your friends or one that's too heavy – remember you will need to carry it around with you. P.S. Hold back one bullet for yourself.

Stay Away From Windows

So you have found some shelter and your fellow survivors are discussing what to do next. Don't get to close to the idiot standing with his back to the unsecured window.

Run Like Hell

Mostly used for trips to the shops but legs come in useful when dealing with zombie attacks. They're free to use and you already know how to use them. If worst comes to worst, you can always run away to fight another day.

Hit The Road

Fact - Zombies like the city. There's more to see there and more people to eat. As soon as you think something strange might be happening, just pack up and move to the countryside. Find a nice field (not a forest as zombies will be able to sneak up on you) and stay there. Become a farmer and wait for it all to blow over.

Never say 'I'll be right back'

The first person to say 'I'll be right back' always gets murdered, or in this case, eaten. Keep your wits about you, stay with other people and if you find yourself alone – find some! Remember the saying safety in numbers? Just check they aren't already zombies.

Act like a Zombie

A very cunning way to avoid being eaten by a Zombie is to act like one yourself! The vacant stare, drooling an incoherent mumbling will make you fit in with any real zombies that break into your home. Don't worry about getting the act spot on, just remember the way you felt last weekend when you were hungover.

Decapitate

Decapitation is another sure fire way to kill a Zombie. Found at any good DIY shop, an axe is an excellent weapon for close quarter combat, it's also a great backup when your ammo starts running low.  It's sharp, heavy and packs an enormous wallop. Think of Gimli from the Lord of the Rings films when you're swinging and remember to put your weight into it.

Get Creative

So you have run out of bullets and you haven't got an axe, it's time to get creative. Anything that you swing or throw can be used as a weapon, made famous in the film Shaun of the Dead, the trusty cricket bat is a great option. Not only a heavy, blunt implement but also the handle grip is designed to prevent blisters. Why not get your friends to shout Four or Six to lighten the mood occasionally.

Don't Be A Hero

A good way to survive zombie attacks is to give them something else to chase down and eat – your friends. If you're in a crowd of people, stand in the middle. Just remember it's better to come up with the ideas and lead the group than to just be a follower. It's the person at the back of the group during chase scenes that gets eaten first.

Get Chuck Norris

If you are ever in a life or death situation, he's the man you want at your side. It's worth remembering though that you don't find Chuck Norris, Chuck Norris finds you.

If You Get Bitten Keep It A Secret

So while fighting off that last wave of the undead with your bare hands, you took one for the team. Luckily for you it was somewhere easy to conceal. It's just a scratch anyway, no point making a big deal about it.

Wait Until The Whole Thing Blows Over

In a similar fashion to moving to the countryside but a tad more British is to simply, put the kettle on, have a cup of tea (or even better get a lock in down the pub) and wait for it to all blow over. ''They're just making a fuss about nothing'' you can hear yourself saying.

Further Reading:

I Suspect My Girlfriend Is Zombie, How Can I Tell?
Can Zombies Climb Stairs?
How Do I Kill A Zombie?
What Places Should I Avoid If Zombies Attack?
How Can I Spot A Zombie?
Can I Outrun A Zombie?

You never know when this information will come in handy. Besides, in your heart of hearts you know that eventually the Zombies will rise.