The Pixies began with a narrative that a novelist would be proud to conjure up. Charles Micheal Kitridge Thompson IV AKA Black Francis AKA Frank Black deserted his Spanish exchange course in Puerto Rico after six months of craziness in a wierdo apartment. He had the opportunity of flying to New Zealand to get a peek at Halley's Comet's visitation of 1986 but decided up on forming a band with Joey Santiago back in Boston. They advertised for a bassist into Husker Du and Peter, Paul & Mary. Kim Deal, the only person to reply, was drafted on bass. She suggested David Lovering as a drummer. Thus The Pixies were ready to hit the stage.

After just three albums and two EPs, they succumbed to internal conflict between Kim Deal and Black Francis with the band calling it quits in early 1993.

In just six years, they carved a path which altered the course of contemporary music. The loud-soft dynamics, start-stop rhythms and vocal performances which shifted from cute to cataclysmic set a template for grunge and 90s pop bands that aimed for eccentricity.

"I was trying to write the ultimate pop song," Kurt Cobain said of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. "I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies."

More than ten years after they split, The Pixies are back. OK, they're doing it for the money, but at least they're admitting it upfront.

Also:

The Pixies' Official Site

Bands reunited - "As one of indie's most influential groups announce that they are getting back together, Jon Dennis weighs the pros and cons of rock reunions." Back to Black - The long-anticipated Pixies reunion.

Review: Wave of Mutilation: Best of Pixies

The Pixies reviewed

The Pixies live at the Brixton Academy, London

Black Francis quotes

Frank Black: A Tale of Two Coasts

Raw Deal

Rock divas: Kim Deal

Interview with Kim Deal

The Breeders @ Epitonic

David Lovering funks off

Where in the world is Joey Santiago?

The New Stuff: A Conversation with Joey Santiago

People Want More by Joey Santiago

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