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Pixies (band)

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Pixies
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1986 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
FounderBlack Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal, David Lovering
Headquarters
Boston
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Pixies are an alternative rock group originating from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986. The founding members were Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, vocals), and David Lovering (drums). Their signature sound is characterized by a dynamic "loud-quiet-loud" approach, combining influences from punk rock and surf rock. Francis serves as the chief songwriter, often incorporating surreal imagery into the lyrics.

Their initial release was the mini-album Come On Pilgrim in 1987, followed by Surfer Rosa in 1988. They continued with albums such as Doolittle, Bossanova, and Trompe le Monde (1991) before disbanding in 1993. Although their early success in the United States was limited, they built a strong following across the United Kingdom and Europe.

The band's growing acclaim after their split prompted a reunion in 2004, accompanied by sold-out tours. Following Kim Deal's exit in 2012, she was initially replaced by Kim Shattuck for tours in 2013, and subsequently by Paz Lenchantin, who officially joined as a permanent member in 2016. With Lenchantin on board, Pixies released Head Carrier (2016), Beneath the Eyrie (2019), and Doggerel (2022). In 2024, Emma Richardson of Band of Skulls took over bass duties from Lenchantin. That same year marked the release of their ninth studio album, The Night the Zombies Came.

The Pixies’ alternative rock style has notably influenced prominent bands including Nirvana, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Weezer.

Formation (1984–1986)

In 1984, guitarist Joey Santiago crossed paths with songwriter Black Francis (Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) while both were students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Despite initial hesitation about potential distractions, they soon began collaborating musically. After spending six months studying Spanish in Puerto Rico, Francis returned to Boston, left university, and started writing songs alongside Santiago while working in a warehouse.

The band officially came together in January 1986. Shortly thereafter, Francis placed an advertisement seeking a bass player with interests spanning folk and alternative rock genres. Kim Deal answered the call despite having no prior experience playing bass. The trio rehearsed at Deal’s apartment during this period.

Kim Deal invited her sister, Kelley Deal, to try out for the drummer position. Although Kelley was accepted, she lacked self-assurance and eventually pursued her own project with the band the Breeders. On Kim’s husband’s recommendation, they recruited drummer David Lovering, whom Kim had met at her wedding. The name "Pixies" was chosen arbitrarily from a dictionary due to its playful undertone. By mid-1986, rehearsals shifted to Lovering’s parents’ garage as they started performing at bars around Boston.

Come On Pilgrim (1987)

While touring with Throwing Muses, the band caught the attention of producer Gary Smith from Fort Apache Studios, who expressed that he "could not sleep until you guys are world famous".[1] With financial backing from Francis' father, they recorded a 17-song demo at Fort Apache, which came to be known as the Purple Tape because of its distinctive cover.[2] Manager Ken Goes handed the demo to Ivo Watts-Russell, head of the 4AD label,[3] who initially found their sound too conventional but was convinced to sign them by his girlfriend.[4]

From the Purple Tape recordings, eight tracks were chosen for their debut mini-album, Come On Pilgrim.[5] Francis infused songs like "Vamos" and "Isla de Encanta" with influences from his Puerto Rican background, addressing themes of poverty and incorporating loosely sung Spanish lyrics.[1] The album also reflects religious motifs drawn from his Pentecostal upbringing.[1] Critic Heather Phares identified subjects such as sexual frustration in "I've Been Tired" and incest in both "Nimrod's Son" and "The Holiday Song".[6]

Surfer Rosa and Doolittle (1988–1989)

After releasing Come On Pilgrim, the Pixies produced their first full-length album, Surfer Rosa, recorded by Steve Albini over a two-week period and released in early 1988. The album received widespread critical acclaim across Europe, with both Melody Maker and Sounds awarding it "Album of the Year". In the United States, critical reception was favorable but more restrained, a pattern that persisted throughout their career. By 2005, Surfer Rosa had achieved gold certification in the US. The band toured Europe supporting Throwing Muses on the "Sex and Death" tour, gaining significant media exposure in the Netherlands.

The Pixies secured an American distribution agreement with Elektra and collaborated with British producer Gil Norton on their sophomore album, Doolittle. This album was recorded over six weeks in late 1988 with a budget of $40,000—four times that of Surfer Rosa—resulting in a more polished sound. It featured singles like "Here Comes Your Man", recognized for its pop sensibility, and "Monkey Gone to Heaven", which broke into the US alternative top 10 and entered the UK Top 100. Echoing its predecessor’s success, Doolittle garnered strong critical praise and became their first album to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching number 98, while climbing to number 8 on the UK Albums Chart.

Break (1989–1990)

Following Doolittle, tensions between Deal and Francis escalated dramatically, culminating in an incident where Francis hurled a guitar at Deal during a concert in Stuttgart. Deal nearly quit after refusing to perform at a show in Frankfurt. Santiago described Deal as "headstrong," eager to contribute her own compositions but ultimately deferring to Francis’ leadership; after the Frankfurt incident, communication between them ceased. The band's exhaustion and internal conflicts intensified during their US "Fuck or Fight" tour, leading to an official hiatus announcement following its final New York performance.

During this pause, Santiago and Lovering took time off while Francis embarked on a short solo tour to fund his travels. Meanwhile, Deal formed the Breeders alongside Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses and bassist Josephine Wiggs from Perfect Disaster; their debut record, Pod, was released in 1990.

Bossanova and Trompe le Monde (1990–1992)

In 1990, all band members except Kim Deal moved to Los Angeles to utilize the available recording facilities. Black Francis composed much of the Bossanova album directly in the studio, working with minimal rehearsal beforehand. This record included singles such as "Velouria" and "Dig for Fire", which reached number 70 on the US charts and climbed to number three in the UK rankings. During the same year, the group also contributed a rendition of "Born in Chicago" for the compilation Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary.

The following year, 1991, saw the release of Trompe le Monde, marking the Pixies' last studio album prior to their breakup. The album featured tracks like "U-Mass", reflecting themes of collegiate indifference, alongside a cover of "Head On" originally by the Jesus and Mary Chain. Additionally, the band recorded a Leonard Cohen cover for the tribute album I'm Your Fan. They embarked on an extensive international tour, performing in large European stadiums as well as smaller venues across the United States. In 1992, they joined U2 as supporting acts during the profitable US leg of the Zoo TV Tour. Their final performance took place on April 25, 1992, at Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. Growing internal conflicts eventually resulted in a hiatus and members pursuing separate endeavors.

Breakup and solo projects (1993–2003)

At the start of 1993, Francis publicly declared on BBC Radio 5 that the Pixies had disbanded, initially without notifying his bandmates personally. He later reached out to each member individually to inform them.

Following the group's dissolution, Francis adopted the moniker Frank Black and proceeded to release several solo albums as well as projects with Frank Black and the Catholics. Meanwhile, Deal resurrected her band the Breeders, achieving notable commercial success with their platinum-certified album Last Splash (1993), which featured the popular single "Cannonball". She also went on to establish another band called the Amps.

Santiago contributed lead guitar parts to Frank Black’s solo recordings and other artists’ works, composed music for television and film, and formed the Martinis alongside his wife Linda Mallari, releasing their album Smitten in 2004. Lovering pursued a career in magic focused on "scientific phenomenalism," briefly played with the Martinis, and later joined Cracker as their drummer.

Both 4AD and Elektra continued to issue Pixies compilations over this period, including Death to the Pixies (1997), Pixies at the BBC (1998), and Complete 'B' Sides (2001). In 2002, their initial demo tape was released as an EP through Cooking Vinyl in the UK and SpinART Records in the US. Frank Black also issued solo material via these labels. The band's song "Where is My Mind" experienced a resurgence in popularity after featuring prominently in the 1999 film Fight Club, broadening their listener base significantly.

Reunion (2003–2012)

After disbanding, Frank Black initially denied any plans for a Pixies reunion but gradually started including Pixies tracks in his solo performances and occasionally worked with former bandmates. By 2003, casual rehearsals evolved into a full-fledged reunion tour, officially announced in February 2004, with tickets quickly selling out.

The band's first reunion show occurred on April 13, 2004, at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis. Throughout 2004, they extensively toured North America and Europe, highlighted by their performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The reunion tour generated over $14 million in ticket revenue and earned them the Act of the Year title at the Boston Music Awards. Pitchfork recognized the Pixies as trailblazers in establishing the indie band reunion-tour trend.

In June 2004, the group released the single "Bam Thwok" exclusively through iTunes, which topped the UK Official Download Chart. Concurrently, 4AD issued Wave of Mutilation: The Best of Pixies along with a companion DVD. Additionally, they contributed to Warren Zevon’s tribute compilation Enjoy Every Sandwich.

Between 2005 and 2007, the Pixies appeared at prominent festivals such as Lollapalooza and Newport Folk Festival and embarked on tours that included their debut performances in Australia. Although conversations about producing new studio material took place, progress was mainly stalled due to Kim Deal’s hesitation.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Doolittle, the band launched an international tour starting in October 2009, performing the album in its entirety alongside B-sides. This extensive tour covered Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and circled back to Europe and North America through spring 2010 and beyond.

Deal's departure, Indie Cindy, and Lenchantin's arrival (2013–2015)

In October 2012, shortly after commencing new recording sessions, Kim Deal exited the Pixies; her departure was publicly confirmed in June 2013. Two weeks following this announcement, the band released "Bagboy," featuring Jeremy Dubs on vocals instead of Deal. By 2023, Santiago mentioned that Deal had ceased contact with the group and was "living her own life."

On July 1, 2013, guitarist and vocalist Kim Shattuck (known from The Muffs and The Pandoras) joined to replace Deal for their European tour that year. The group released the EP EP1 on September 3, 2013; however, Shattuck was dismissed by November 29. In December, bassist Paz Lenchantin (from the Entrance Band and A Perfect Circle) became a member for the 2014 tour; she had long admired the Pixies and praised Black as an outstanding artist.

The Pixies followed up with EP2 on January 3, 2014, which included the single "Blue Eyed Hexe," then released EP3 on March 24. These three EPs were initially offered as digital downloads and limited-edition vinyl before being compiled into Indie Cindy, their first full-length studio album in over twenty years, released in April 2014. In 2015, they supported Robert Plant on his North American tour.

Head Carrier, Beneath the Eyrie and Doggerel (2016–2023)

In July 2016, the Pixies officially announced Paz Lenchantin as a full-time band member and revealed their sixth studio album, Head Carrier, which was released on September 30, 2016. Their seventh album, titled Beneath the Eyrie, arrived on September 13, 2019, with "On Graveyard Hill" serving as its lead single. Alongside this release, the band introduced It's a Pixies Podcast, offering insights into the album's recording journey. In March 2022, they issued the standalone single "Human Crime". Their eighth studio effort, Doggerel, featuring the track "There's a Moon On", was launched on September 30 through BMG.

Lenchantin's exit, Richardson’s entry and The Night the Zombies Came (2024–present)

On March 4, 2024, the Pixies revealed that Lenchantin had departed to concentrate on her personal projects; however, she described this announcement as unforeseen. Emma Richardson from Band of Skulls stepped in to replace her for the upcoming tour celebrating the band's third and fourth albums, Bossanova (1990) and Trompe le Monde (1991), which Francis characterized as "delightful". In June, the band debuted "You're So Impatient", marking Richardson’s first studio feature with them.

The ninth studio album from the Pixies, The Night the Zombies Came, produced by Tom Dalgety, who had collaborated on their previous three records, was released on October 25, 2024. Francis clarified that although not a zombie-themed concept album, its title organically arose from recurring lyrical motifs. The record was introduced by singles including "You're So Impatient", "Chicken", "Oyster Beds", and "Motoroller".

Music

The Pixies incorporate a fusion of surf rock and punk rock, emphasizing stark contrasts in volume dynamics. According to Spin, their music blends "surf music-meets-Stooges spikiness" with signature stop-and-start rhythms and quiet-to-loud transitions. The Guardian noted their unconventional fusion of surf and punk styles, characterized by Black’s intense lyricism, Deal’s whispered harmonies, Santiago’s delicate guitar work, and Lovering’s steady drumming.

Their sound is distinguished by pronounced dynamic shifts; Francis explained in 1991 that their musical approach is straightforward—oscillating between loud and quiet—which forms a fundamental aspect of their style.

Influences

The members of the Pixies each draw inspiration from varied musical sources. Francis initially gravitated towards Hüsker Dü, Captain Beefheart, and Iggy Pop, citing R.E.M.'s Murmur as a significant influence during the creation of Come On Pilgrim. During the making of Doolittle, he drew inspiration from the Beatles’ White Album and adopted Buddy Holly’s succinct songwriting style. Although he encountered punk rock at age sixteen, his early listening primarily consisted of 1960s music, religious songs, Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Talking Heads.

Santiago’s influences encompass punk bands from the 1970s and 1980s such as Black Flag, as well as artists like David Bowie and T. Rex; his guitar inspirations include Jimi Hendrix, Les Paul, Wes Montgomery, Lou Reed, and George Harrison. Deal emerged from folk and country traditions, having performed in a country-folk group covering artists like the Everly Brothers and Hank Williams; her listening also included XTC, Gang of Four, and Elvis Costello. Lovering is an admirer of Rush.

Cinema has also played a role in shaping the Pixies’ creative vision; Francis cites surrealist films such as Eraserhead and Un chien andalou (which inspired "Debaser") as significant influences, favoring brief surrealist films over novels for artistic inspiration.

Songwriting, lyrical motifs, and vocal contributions

Francis is the primary songwriter and vocalist for the majority of Pixies' tracks, crafting lyrics that are often described as "eccentric and disjointed," exploring subjects such as space, religion, sexuality, bodily harm, and elements of popular culture. The album Doolittle incorporates themes of biblical violence in songs like "Dead" and "Gouge Away," with Francis acknowledging the Old Testament as a significant source of inspiration. Reincarnation themes emerge in "Caribou" from Come On Pilgrim, while outer space and alien imagery are prominent on Bossanova.

Kim Deal collaborated with Francis on the composition of "Silver" from Doolittle and contributed lead harmony vocals. She also co-wrote and took lead vocals on "Gigantic" from Surfer Rosa, in addition to writing the 2004 single "Bam Thwok". For "Gigantic," she was credited under the pseudonym Mrs. John Murphy, a choice made as a satirical feminist statement. Deal additionally provided lead vocals on B-sides including "Into the White" and her rendition of Neil Young's "Winterlong".

David Lovering performed lead vocals on "La La Love You" from Doolittle as well as the B-side "Make Believe". Paz Lenchantin made her debut as lead singer on "All I Think About Now" from Head Carrier and later led vocals on the 2019 track "Los Surfers Muertos" along with the 2020 single "Hear Me Out".

Influence and legacy

The album Surfer Rosa has achieved gold certification, while Doolittle has reached platinum status, selling in excess of one million copies. The Pixies have left a lasting mark on numerous alternative rock acts throughout the 1990s. Producer Gary Smith likened their influence to that of the Velvet Underground, highlighting their innovative use of dynamic contrasts—a technique that was later mirrored in Nirvana's landmark single "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

Their signature style popularized sharp dynamic shifts and abrupt rhythmic changes, often featuring quiet verses followed by powerful choruses. Artists who have acknowledged the Pixies' impact include David Bowie, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, U2, Nirvana, The Strokes, Alice in Chains, Arcade Fire, Pavement, Everclear, Kings of Leon, and Matthew Good.

Bono has hailed them as one of the premier American bands of the 1980s. Thom Yorke from Radiohead credited the Pixies with profoundly influencing his life. Kurt Cobain openly recognized their sound as a direct inspiration for Nirvana’s musical direction and admired Steve Albini’s production work on Surfer Rosa, which subsequently led to Albini producing Nirvana’s 1993 album In Utero.

Additional artists influenced by the Pixies encompass Weezer, Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Snow Patrol, Slowdive, OK Go, Eve 6, Thrice, Better Than Ezra, Toadies, Ash, Ride, Veruca Salt, Sleeper, Lemuria, and Treepeople.

Music videos and DVD releases

Neither Come On Pilgrim nor Surfer Rosa featured any official music videos. Starting with Doolittle, videos were produced for tracks such as "Monkey Gone To Heaven", "Here Comes Your Man", "Velouria", "Dig For Fire", "Allison", "Alec Eiffel", "Head On", and "Debaser"; these were later assembled into the 2004 DVD titled Pixies. Additionally, videos for "Here Comes Your Man" and "Allison" appeared on the compilation The Complete 'B' Sides. The 2013 single "Bagboy" was accompanied by an original music video along with an alternative version released subsequently. Visual content was created for every song on both EP1 and EP2, plus for "Silver Snail" and "Ring the Bell" from EP3. From the release of Head Carrier, videos include “Tenement Song,” “Um Chagga Lagga,” “On Graveyard Hill,” “Catfish Kate,” “Long Rider,” “Hear Me Out,” “Human Crime,” and “Vault of Heaven”.

By the time of Bossanova, the band developed strong reservations about producing music videos, particularly due to Francis's refusal to lip-sync performances. For instance, in the video for “Here Comes Your Man,” Black and Deal exaggerated mouth movements instead of miming lyrics. This stance contributed to limited exposure on MTV. When pressured by 4AD to create a video for “Velouria,” they produced a low-budget clip featuring slow-motion quarry scenes aimed at securing a spot on BBC’s Top of the Pops, but ultimately were not featured.

In 2006, a 90-minute documentary titled loudQUIETloud: a film about the Pixies, directed by Steven Cantor and Matthew Galkin, was released. It documents their 2004 reunion tour alongside insights into their post-breakup years. Between 2004 and 2006, five live performance DVDs were issued: Live at the Town and Country Club 1988, The Pixies—Sell Out, The Pixies Acoustic: Live in Newport, The Pixies Club Date: Live at the Paradise in Boston, and simply titled Pixies.

Band lineup

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2 Current members

  • Black Francis (Charles Thompson) – lead vocals; rhythm and acoustic guitars (1986–1993; 2004–present)
  • Joey Santiago – lead guitar; occasional backing vocals (1986–1993; 2004–present)
  • David Lovering – drums; percussion; backing vocals; occasional lead vocals and bass (1986–1993; 2004–present)
  • Emma Richardson – bass; backing and occasional lead vocals (2024–present)

Former members

  • Kim Deal – bass; backing and occasional lead vocals (1986–1993; 2004–2012)
  • Paz Lenchantin – bass; violin; backing and occasional lead vocals; keyboards (2016–2024; touring musician 2014–2016)

Session musician

Touring musicians

Template:Col-end

Timeline

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Discography

Main article: Pixies discography

Studio albums

General and cited references

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External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named officialprofile
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sisario, 2006. p. 16
  3. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SPIN Life Pixies
  4. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sisario5
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named allmusic-bio
  6. ↑ Phares (Come On Pilgrim)
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