Understanding Pixies

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INFO: To me it seems like the Pixies were one of those bands that came at just the right point in time. They began their journey in the second half of the 80s and although they didn’t experience a booming success, they did have a big influence on bands like Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Pavement and many others. In some instances their success have been compared to The Velvet Underground. They were ahead of the trend. Or maybe they created the trend itself? The one were artists blended metal, punk and noise with classic rock in a mix of extreme dynamics and stop-start timing.

[nem]

Initially the Pixies were like the Velvet Underground,
they didn't sell many albums but everyone who bought one formed a band.

[samhynninen]

Doolittle is an amazing album. Perfect marriage of pop sensibilities, noise rock, tongue in cheek humor and also really dark lyricism.

[sArchive]

The ad actually said "Band seeks bassist into Hüsker Dü and Peter, Paul and Mary. Please - no chops." Nothing about them wanting a female bassist. Also Kim was the only person to answer the ad. Just thought i'd point that out.

[marklion]

If Man is 5,
Then the Devil is 6,
and if the Devil is 6
Then God is 7, then God is 7, then God is 7

[maxcohen]

It's always terrible when great bands break up, but losing Deal was a deal-breaker* for most Pixie fans. I believe there are critical elements of certain bands that make or break them. While David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen made Van Halen great, Michael Anthony made them _unique._ Same with Pixies' Black and Deal.
I will say that leaving the Pixies was Kim's best decision. Her creative energy was stifled until she started her band The Breeders – which is a PHENOMENALLY underrated band. I've also seen them live many times and they never disappoint.


*I make no apologies for that pun. _Deal_ with it.

[axelbergstrom]

Understanding:
Mike Patton
Sonic Youth
Ian Mackaye/Fugazi
Dinosaur JR.

[MysticalHydra]

You know what's particularly sorta weird and full circle? Gary Smith 2:50 was the name of the electrician who found Kurt Cobain's body. As acknowledged, and is common knowledge, Nirvana's biggest influence was quite arguably Pixies.

[Largecollectibles]

I grew up in the late 80's and I cannot stress how crucial The Pixies were (and still are) at that time.

[michaellandi]

HEY!







been tryin to meet you

[silvergamedog]

Pixies are an amazing band. You could play a 30 year old Pixies song to a kid today and I can bet you they would think it’s new. They influenced so many bands.
I was lucky enough to see The Pixies live in Boston (where they originated) in 1987 about a year before they started to get big - yep I’m old!
They were so good live.

[roosterj]

I am a diehard Metalhead. Bands like Pantera, Sepultura, Alice in Chains, etc. are my favorites amongst all the Metal genres. I even love Hair Metal. I saw the Pixies Alec Eiffel video on MTV one night and was blown away. It was 1992 and the Seattle invasion was in high gear. I went to the record store and bought Trompe Le Monde. It didn't take long before I heard Wave of Mutilation in a movie I believe is titled Pump up the Volume. I never watched the whole movie. My girlfriend was watching it while I was in the garage playing guitar with my bass player at the time. I walked in right as the part with Wave of Mutilation playing. I loved it. My bass player turned me on to the rest of the Pixies albums. Where is my Mind was added to my set list. I love the Pixies. Every song and every album.

[ringoliverpond]

They opened for U2 in ATL and were the best band on stage that night. I'll never forget "where is my mind" and "gouge away", genius. Was so lucky to see them before Kim left.

[mimiccave]

Absolutely one of my favorite bands! Their use of dynamics is legendary. To me it expresses the ups and downs of being bipolar. One minute you can feel depressed (slow and quiet) then the next minute you can feel bursting with energy (fast and loud).

[christopherreeves]

"Surfer Rosa" is a near-perfect album.

[FinlayFosterReviews]

These guys absolutely blew my mind when I was 14 and completely changed my view on music completely. They have an incredibly special place in my heart. Fuck yeah pixies!

[thecellulontriptometer]

What made the Pixies so good(in my opinion) is the different energy levels of the band members. For example, Debaser is a relatively straight forward rock song until Francis starts screaming, and then when Deal adds the harmony that is lilting it becomes really awesome. So many of their songs have these multiple tracks that come together with differing intensity levels layered within the same song.   - If I was to request a band to look at that I have not seen on your list, I'd ask for the Stone Roses. They didn't put out a lot, but they are an influential transitional Manchester band that has always had a large cult following.

[thadood]

Bossa Nova is my favorite. Highly underrated. All over the world is one of their best songs ever imo. Veloria, Down to the well, the happening, all amazing.

[thefirepenguins]

The Breeders is a PHENOMENALLY underrated band

[dukeofdeath]

Possibly the most underrated band of all time. So influential!!

[TesserId]

"Monkey Gone To Heaven" is the first material of theirs I heard. It was playing through a friends window, and I was instantly in love. I was lucky that this was in Boston. I heard them called the Gods of Unpop. The melting pot of musical flavors can't be ignored.