Several weeks ago, the Pixies announced that longtime bassist Kim Deal would be departing the band. Then, last week, the band dropped their first new single in nine years, “Bagboy” (free download here), and have now announced Deal’s replacement: Kim Shattuck of The Muffs.

If you have to lose your iconic bassist who has served in your band for a quarter-century, I don’t suppose you can do much better than Shattuck to fill the void.

Furthermore, The band has announced 17 dates in Europe spanning late September through late November, with the promise of more to come. Plus the tour “will give them an opportunity to do something they haven’t been able to do in two decades: premiere brand new Pixies songs, the first collection of new material since 1991′s Trompe le Monde.” That’s right — the band is finally going to release follow-up material 22 years after their last album.

And for you fans of The Muffs, do not worry — Kim announced that her band is still together.