The Pixies
The Pixies are one of the most pioneering and influential band from the era of the late '80s through the
early 90's. The band was formed in Boston in 1986 by Black Francis (Charles Thompson) and his
roommate Joey Santiago. After recruiting drummer David Lovering and bassist Kim Deal, The Pixies
began playing around Boston, and were soon signed with England's 4AD label after serving as warm up
act for 4AD band Throwing Muses.
The Pixies released four full length albums over three years, exposing the world to a truly unique and
ingenious sound which moved between the harsh, loud sounds of punk and often dreamy and melodic
tunes. Black Francis had obvious interests in surrealism, space, and Latin American culture, and there is
a plethora of songs which focus on these topics. There are also a couple of songs which speak of my home
state of Utah (apparently Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles Thompson has family in Utah).
I became aware of The Pixies when their first EP "Come On Pilgrim" was released in 1987 while selling
records at SoundOff Music, but I don't remember it having much of an impression on me outside of the
fact that they were an American band on the very British 4AD label. However, when I first heard their
second album "Doolittle," I could hardly believe my ears. Doolittle is probably one of the greatest albums
of the past 25 years, and The Pixies one of the great American bands ever. The late 80's and early 90's
were a bit of a bland and disappointing time for music both in America and in England, but thanks to
The Pixies I felt that there was still hope for "modern" American music. Too bad they couldn't stay
together long enough to put out a few more albums.
early 90's. The band was formed in Boston in 1986 by Black Francis (Charles Thompson) and his
roommate Joey Santiago. After recruiting drummer David Lovering and bassist Kim Deal, The Pixies
began playing around Boston, and were soon signed with England's 4AD label after serving as warm up
act for 4AD band Throwing Muses.
The Pixies released four full length albums over three years, exposing the world to a truly unique and
ingenious sound which moved between the harsh, loud sounds of punk and often dreamy and melodic
tunes. Black Francis had obvious interests in surrealism, space, and Latin American culture, and there is
a plethora of songs which focus on these topics. There are also a couple of songs which speak of my home
state of Utah (apparently Black Francis/Frank Black/Charles Thompson has family in Utah).
I became aware of The Pixies when their first EP "Come On Pilgrim" was released in 1987 while selling
records at SoundOff Music, but I don't remember it having much of an impression on me outside of the
fact that they were an American band on the very British 4AD label. However, when I first heard their
second album "Doolittle," I could hardly believe my ears. Doolittle is probably one of the greatest albums
of the past 25 years, and The Pixies one of the great American bands ever. The late 80's and early 90's
were a bit of a bland and disappointing time for music both in America and in England, but thanks to
The Pixies I felt that there was still hope for "modern" American music. Too bad they couldn't stay
together long enough to put out a few more albums.
Standouts:
| "What is it when you look at the sky in a poetic kind of way? You know...when you grope for luna?" |
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