Anyone who was an alternative rock fan in the ’80s knew of the Pixies.

One of the biggest names in alt/punk of the decade, the Pixies were formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986. With hits such as “Where Is My Mind,” “Debaser” and “Velouria,” everyone from Kurt Cobain to David Bowie praised the group’s talent.

Maybe their talent wasn’t immediately evident to fans of the more mainstream rock of the time, but the Pixies ability to mix garage rock, indie and punk with pop hooks and lyrics (that are widely regarded as indecipherable) proved to make a large influence on the ’90s alt rock scene.

After initially breaking up in 1993 due to riffs between bandmates, the Pixies rejoined in 2004 for a reunion tour, after which they decided to restart the band.

Unfortunately, longtime bass player Kim Deal decided to break ties with the band once more in 2013 in the middle of recording their first album in over a two decades. This left the remaining members of the Pixies (David Lovering, Kim Deal, Joey Santiago and Black Francis) with music still in their heads yet to be heard, but down a bass player.

They were suddenly in the same boat as the likes of Van Halen, Black Sabbath and the Eagles, trying to decide if they were going to perform last rites and put their band to rest, or if they would try to carry on with a new bass player. They chose the second option, and, lucky for them, they stumbled upon Paz Lenchantin, the former bassist for Zwan and Perfect Circle. Lenchantin helped bring fun and joy back into the group. They soon proved to meld naturally together, spending time hanging out while on and off tour. The other members are so impressed with her musical prowess, they are even known to muse that she makes them want to be better musicians.

The Pixies latest album, “Head Carrier,” is the reason for the Pixies latest three-leg North American tour. It’s what also brings them to the Bluestem Amphitheater in Moorhead on Oct. 12, with a set of 30 songs spanning the band’s career served up one right after the other.

With tickets between $36.50 and $66.50 plus fees, and a two-hour slot from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. (rain or shine), you really have nothing to lose by going. There is plenty of time for Thursday festivities or studying for exams afterwards. What you are guaranteed to miss out on by not going, though, is great music at a great venue.

Just in case you can’t make it to the date in Moorhead, here is a list of remaining tour dates below:

OCTOBER

14  Peabody Opera House, St. Louis, MO**

15  Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City, MO**

17  Boulder Theatre, Boulder, CO**

18  Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO**

20  Lost Lake Festival, Phoenix, AZ

21  The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV**

 

* Sunflower Bean will support

** Mitski will support

 

North American Tour, Leg Three

NOVEMBER

29   Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR*

30   Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR*

 

DECEMBER

1   Roseland Theatre, Portland, OR*

3   Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA*

4   Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC  CANADA*

7   Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA**

9   Uptown Theatre, Napa, CA**

10  City National Civic, San Jose, CA**

 

* The Orwells

** Whitney