Pixies is an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986. The original members included Black Francis (real name Charles Thompson), Joey Santiago, Kim Deal, and David Lovering. Their sound is known for its raw intensity and dynamics, often shifting from quiet verses to loud, heavy choruses—a style that influenced the rise of grunge and the shape of alternative rock in the 1990s.
Pixies Facts
1- Pixies is an American alternative rock band that formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts.
2- The original members of the band were Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals), and David Lovering (drums).
3- Black Francis (whose real name is Charles Michael Kittridge Thompson IV) is known for his unique vocal style, which includes loud, intense outbursts as well as softer, more melodic passages.
4- Their music is characterized by a mix of styles: punk rock, indie rock, surf rock, and pop, often featuring dynamic shifts in loudness and intensity.
5- They have been highly influential in the alternative rock scene, with bands like Nirvana, Radiohead, and Weezer citing them as a key influence.
6- Their debut mini-album, “Come On Pilgrim,” was released in 1987 and was followed by the critically acclaimed full-length album “Surfer Rosa” in 1988.
7- Steve Albini, known for his raw and minimalistic production style, worked on their album “Surfer Rosa.”
8- “Doolittle,” their second full-length album, released in 1989, features the singles “Monkey Gone to Heaven” and “Here Comes Your Man,” which helped to broaden their popularity.
9- The band’s lyrics often reference surreal, Biblical, and violent themes. Black Francis, the main songwriter, has cited his interest in both biblical themes and surrealism as major influences on his writing.
10- Pixies disbanded in 1993 due to internal tensions, particularly between Black Francis and Kim Deal.
11- During their hiatus, Black Francis embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black, while Kim Deal found success with her band The Breeders.
12- Pixies reunited in 2004, initially for a tour, but later they also started recording new music together again.
13- Kim Deal left the band in 2013 and was replaced by Paz Lenchantin in 2014, who became a permanent member in 2016.
14- The band has released several albums since their reunion, including “Indie Cindy” (2014), “Head Carrier” (2016), and “Beneath the Eyrie” (2019).
15- Pixies have been praised for their unconventional song structures and for helping to popularize the loud-quiet-loud dynamic that was influential in the grunge genre.
16- Their song “Where Is My Mind?” is one of their most famous tracks, and it gained further popularity after being used in the final scene of the 1999 film “Fight Club.”
17- In 2005, Pixies were awarded the Act of the Year accolade at the Boston Music Awards.
18- Although Pixies did not achieve massive commercial success, their influence on the rock music scene has been significant, with artists like David Bowie and U2’s Bono expressing their admiration for the band.
19- They are also known for their intense live performances. Upon their reunion in 2004, they embarked on a sell-out global tour, proving their enduring popularity.
20- The band’s name was chosen randomly from the dictionary by Black Francis. They initially wanted to name the band “Pixies in Panoply,” but eventually settled on the simpler “Pixies.”
