I was flipping around the schedule for my MythTV machine and found out that FRANZ FERDINAND was playing on the PBS show, Austin City Limits. Looking at their upcoming schedule, they have a bunch of cool acts coming up like PIXIES, WILCO, POLYPHONIC SPREE, THE FLAMING LIPS and the SHINS. Check your local listings...

It was the must-see tour of last year... and they're taking it back on the road. Legendary 4AD band THE PIXIES spellbound audiences around the world when they reformed to tour last year in Europe and America. If you didn't have a chance to see them the first (err second) time around they've just announced three weeks worth of US dates to kick off at the end of May. They'll be playing mostly festivals and outdoor venues from the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast.

That's right, we've got some preliminary tour dates... none of these are confirmed so don't be booking flights to Canada quite yet... but it is a sign of good things to come.

Apr 14 Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB CANADA
Apr 15 Doris Knight Ballroom, Regina, SK CANADA
Apr 17 Prairieland, Saskatoon, SK CANADA
Apr 18 Red's, Edmonton, AB CANADA
Apr 19 MacEwan Hall, Calgary, AB CANADA
Apr 21 Victoria Curling Club, Victoria, BC CANADA
Apr 22-23 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC CANADA
Apr 24 Big Easy, Spokane, WA
Apr 25 The Big Easy, Boise, ID
Apr 27 MacDonald Theatre, Eugene, OR
Apr 29 Freeborn Hall, Davis, CA

It's nice change of pace to announce a band is reforming... and even better when that band is THE PIXIES. They've been a confirmed act for Coachella for a few weeks but the official word from 4AD came down today:

They're talking, they're rehearsing, and they're going to perform together for the first time in more than a decade. The Pixies, acclaimed as the most influential pioneer of the late '80s alt/rock movement, and who effectively blazed the path for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam to rise to superstardom, have officially confirmed their much-anticipated reunion. The original line-up - Frank Black/vocals, guitar; Joey Santiago/guitar; Kim Deal/bass; and David Lovering/drums - are already holed up in a Southern California rehearsal space working together for the first time since they disbanded in 1993.

An eleven date US tour will commence following Coachella and a month + European tour shortly after. 4AD is touting a soon-to-be-released DVD featuring videos, a documentary and interviews with rockstars singing the praises of the Pixies to the moon and back. "Wave of Mutilation - Best of Pixies", the 23 track compilation is also set for a release later in the year. We will keep you updated on tourdates as they are confirmed.

But what's the real question on the mind of millions of indie kids everywhere... does Frank now have to change his name back to Black Francis?