After 11 years, the Pixies’ reunion is still strong, creative

A generation of alternative music fans were born too late to witness the Pixies’ maiden six-year run, from 1986 to 1992.

Fortunately, the influential band reunited in 2004, and has been on the road consistently since. On Tuesday, the Pixies – still touring in support of 2014 album “Indie Cindy” – make their way back to Ovens Auditorium.

We spoke to drummer David Lovering about the permanence of the reunion, new music and realizing Robert Plant knows who you are.

Q. Are you preparing for tour?

A. I’m practicing at home. The last time we played was six months ago, and we’re actually going to do some new songs.

Q. Newer new songs?

A. It’s been since the ’80s since we were able to do new songs and play them at shows. Even with “Indie Cindy” we didn’t do it. We’re going to experiment, maybe do two songs. We have four to pick from.

Q. You said you wanted to make sure any new music you released held up to the old stuff. How did that finally get underway?

A. We’ve been doing this reunion longer than we were initially a band. It put it into perspective. That’s when we got serious about doing new material. We had a load of songs and a lot of trepidation about it. Whatever it is, people are going to compare it. We also said if we didn’t like it, we’re not going to use it.

Q. I drove to Coachella in 2004 because I thought that show might be my only chance to see you guys. The reunion has really given a second chance to both you and the fans.

A. Coachella was a surreal moment for me. When I looked out there, it was a lot of people that weren’t born when we were a band. They knew every word. The funny thing (is) we did Coachella last year, and it was the same thing. It’s the same sea of people. They’re the same age. Even now, the fans are getting younger. People my age don’t want to be standing out there.

Q. You’re opening for Robert Plant soon. Is that a big deal for you?

A. Absolutely. We met him briefly last year, and what a gentleman. When we met him, we told him we’re the Pixies. “Boston’s Finest” is what he said. I almost dropped to the floor. This is Robert Plant. He knows the Pixies? It’ll be interesting to see how Robert Plant’s audience will respond to us. We played the Zoo TV tour with U2 in Boston, our hometown, on St. Patrick’s Day. There’s a big Irish community. It’s U2, and we’re the opening band. There was no one in the audience when we went on stage.

Q. As you mentioned, this incarnation of Pixies has been around for almost twice as long as the original band. What’s made it work?

A. We’re older and supposedly wiser. Since 2004, it’s been very comfortable doing these shows. It’s a little different from the ’80s and ’90s. We have more shows, bigger audiences. It’s something we learned that we love to do.

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 8:34 PM with the headline "After 11 years, the Pixies’ reunion is still strong, creative."