KIM DEAL HAS spent more time in New York lately than some people who actually live here. While she calls Dayton, Ohio, home, Deal has been in town with The Breeders, for her role in The Long Count at BAM and now she’s around for a threenight series of shows from the band that made her famous, Pixies.The group, made up of Charles Thompson (AKA Black Francis or Frank Black), Deal, David Lovering and Joey Santiago, is touring for the 20th anniversary of its much-loved album Doolittle and will play four shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom this week, all consisting of the songs from that album and its related singles. It won’t even be Thanksgiving, but for a good number of music nerds, it will feel just like Christmas.
New York Press: Pixies is touring for the 20th anniversary of Doolittle. How do you feel about the record 20 years later?
Kim Deal: It’s OK actually. I think Charles’ singing is really strong, I think it’s a lot better now. I think his singing is really good, so…maybe if he couldn’t hit the notes the songs wouldn’t have aged very well. Some singers write really high when they’re younger.
I like albums and I’m kind of a geek anyway, so starting something from the beginning and then doing every song in order is appealing to me. I’m a little OCD or something. Barry Hogan started this with the “Don’t Look Back” series.The idea of bands doing records from beginning to end, it’s been around since 2005 or something. It’s always appealed to me.
When you were making Doolittle, did it feel different than Come On Pilgrim or Surfer Rosa?
It felt different but it was like… we were gone from our home. I can’t even remember what state we recorded it in now.
Are there songs you’re itching to play but, because you’re doing Doolittle and related B-Sides, won’t get to?
The song we have to buckle down and learn is “Silver,” which we’ve never played live. And the other one is “Air Good for my God….”
You’re playing more shows in New York than any other city; do you think fans here will react differently than elsewhere?
We’re doing three shows in Chicago and three in L.A.We’re not going to the small towns and I’ll tell you why right now: Pixies tried to play Dayton and we sold 500 tickets and I live there.The hicks won’t come out.They like country music and there’s nothing wrong with that, but people will have to drive to Columbus or Chicago to see shows.
> Pixies
Nov. 23 through 26, Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-777-1224; 8, $42
