Concert poster collector Scott Mussell is seeking this poster featuring one of his favorite bands the Pixies at a Midwest gig in Ann Arbor, MI. On June 9, 1988 during the bands Spring tour in support of their album Surfer Roasa released earlier that year. The band played Rick’s American Café, a legendary Ann Arbor establishment. “There aren’t a lot of poster produced to advertise shows from this or any early Pixies concerts so it’s exciting that Rick’s made this killer poster” said Mussell. Rick’s is a long established bar serving a mix of locals and college students studying at the University of Michigan. They had the foresight to produce an advertising flyer for the show and used a Simon Larbalestier photo used to promote the bands recently released and first full-length record Surfer Rosa.
“I’d like to preserve one and am willing to pay $200 for that privilege. I just feel that the Pixies are an important band in the history of rock ‘n roll- they had a huge influence on grunge, especially Nirvana. ”
Mussell doesn’t know a lot about the poster other than it exists, even details like the size are a mystery to him. “I don’t know how big it is- from the photos I have seen I would guess it’s 11x14” but it could be more of a flier in the 8.5x11” range and probably printed on thin paper” Mussell surmised adding “My offer assumes an 11x14” size.” Despite his lack of information Mussell is offering an aggressive $200 for an example of this poster. “I’d like to preserve one and am willing to pay $200 for that privilege. I just feel that the Pixies are an important band in the history of rock ‘n roll- they had a huge influence on grunge, especially Nirvana. Their output affected so much of the guitar driven alt-rock. I’d compare them to the Velvet Underground in a way- I just can’t say enough about their importance historically” Mussell stated. While not achieving huge commercial success during the height of their artistic output the Pixies have always had a cult following going back to the early years after their formation in Boston, MA. “If the Pixies had come around a little later Boston and not Seattle might have been the epicenter of alt-rock in the 90s” Mussell stated adding “I’ve been collecting concert posters of the 80s and 90s off and on since I was in high school and this is a piece that’s always eluded me- I’d put near the top of my Pixies want list.”
If you have an example of this poster Mussell is offering $200 on condition. Contact him at srmussell@me.com or by phone 515.707.7250 anytime.