The saying goes that you can’t go home again (and RIP, Mr Wolfe) but really, Boston never was home for Kim Deal. Sure, she got her start here, first with the Pixies, and then later via the once-side project and now main concern The Breeders but she’s always been an Ohio girl at heart. Along with her little sister, Deal brought fellow Daytonian Jim McPherson (arguably the best drummer ever to occupy the rotating drummer position of Guided By Voices) and Brit Josephine Wiggs for a run-through some material from their excellent new record, All Nerve, and of course a big helping of their previous songs.

I wouldn’t necessarily categorize Breeders’ songs as mindless fun, but the sisters had gigantic smiles on their faces the entire time and were clearly enjoying the adopted hometown love that the audience was giving back. APlaying “Gigantic” was sort of unnecessary but got a huge response nonetheless, and at the very least it was fun to see Kim playing bass again. The other nod to local roots was their cover of “Drivin’ on 9,” from the oddball rock combo Ed’s Redeeming Qualities. I was always partial to “Lawn Dart” but there’s no denying the bounce in one’s step that “Drivin’ On 9” delivers. And speaking of covers, the band is surely on the short list of best Beatles’ covers and “Happiness Is A Warm Gun” still delivers with the lead-in crack of the snare.

Melkbelly was the handpicked opener for the tour, and the three siblings plus drummer played a spiky brand of rock that had they been active two decades, wouldn’t be out of place on Touch and Go or Boner. It’s nice to see that genre isn’t totally overlooked these days.

Photos of both bands: