After a 12-year hiatus, the pioneering alternative rock band the Pixies are back. But this time around they could care less about finding that usual magic ticket to music stardom: a record label.

“Record companies, schmecord companies,” lead singer Charles Thompson said (aka Frank Black or Black Francis). “Who needs ’em?”

Rather than recording a new album and signing a deal with a label, the Pixies are planning their comeback on their own terms. They released their first new single in 13 years, “Bam Thwok,” on iTunes, and they’ve been selling live CDs produced at the performances. Tickets, t-shirts, and these alternative music releases have been paying the bills.