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Pixies and Modest Mouse with Cat Power at Firefly Distillery (Photos + Recap)
Published: June 12, 2024

Photo by Sarah Grace Sherbondy (@sg.mgmt)

On Friday, May 31st at Charleston’s Firefly Distillery, the evening dusk settled in as dust clouds formed around gathered groups of friends, families, and longtime enthusiasts of underground Alternative rock music legends– Pixies and Modest Mouse (with Cat Power). 

Charleston was the first stop on Pixies and Modest Mouse 2024 North American Tour, and as I was just in Chicago at Electrical Audio where Pixies recorded their 1988 album Surfer Rosa (“Where Is My Mind?”) with the late Steve Albini, my enthusiasm to witness the group was even more profound.

Pixies are touring in support of their latest album, Doggerel, released in 2022, and brought with them new bassist Emma Richardson (Band of Skulls), who joined in place of longtime member Paz Lenchantin this Spring. Richardson is featured on the Pixies’ latest single, “You’re So Impatient,” released last week.

Pixies – “You’re So Impatient” (2024)

Modest Mouse are touring in support of the 20th anniversary release of their iconic 2004 album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News. The album was recorded during founding member Jeremiah Green’s brief absence from the band. Green sadly lost his battle with cancer in late 2022. He was the last founding member in the band aside from frontman Issac Brock. 

Being that both groups were playing with new members, I’ve heard an array of opinions (mostly about Pixies) regarding the quality of performance, according to individuals who’ve seen the groups live a handful of times. 

I was able to attend Modest Mouse’s performance at Hangout Music Festival when I was in the 9th grade (2014) and Pixies at Bonnaroo in 2023 – obviously with a better recollection of Pixies performance. 

Crowd during Pixies at Firefly Distillery. Photo by Sarah Grace Sherbondy (@sg.mgmt)

As a first impression of the new bassist, Richardson was consistent on backup vocals and bass, displaying an apparent compatibility with a group who’ve been playing alongside one another for over three decades. Aside from very few moments of pitchy vocals, I thought this performance held up as stronger than the Bonnaroo set from last summer. 

On the parting of Paz Lenchantin, Lenchantin told FLOOD Magazine: “My departure is a bit of a surprise to me as it is to many, but it looks like they have a solid plan figured out which in turn has pushed me to move onwards onto new projects that I am excited about.”

The statement suggests that Paz was fired from the band, and fans have speculated that there may be some deep-rooted tea, but that’s to be expected from bands who’ve been together for over a decade. 

Enjoy photos from the evening below. 

Modest Mouse at Firefly Distillery – 5/31/24 (Photos)

All photos by Sarah Grace Sherbondy.

Pixies at Firefly Distillery – 5/31/24 (Photos)

All photos by Sarah Grace Sherbondy.