Has there been a band like the Pixies?

[kainedamo]

I feel that The Pixies is probably one of the most underrated bands of all time.

We're talking about a band that released such songs as Where Is My Mind, Debaser, Bone Machine, I've Been Tired, Here Comes Your Man, and Gigantic. By the way, if you haven't heard of the Pixies I recommend downloading a few tracks right now and prepare to CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!

In the late 80s and 90s, Frank Black's distinctive yowling voice and Santiago's erratic lead guitar created a very unique band, instantely recogniseable the instant one of their songs comes on. Although they released relatively few albums, their influence is far reaching. Every band on the scene today owe something to the Pixies. Even Nirvana drew upon them for influence.

And yet, you'll probably never hear a Pixies song on TV. (I think VH1 probably played a couple very rarely years ago). They have never achieved any mainstream recognition at all. The only awards they have won are a handfull of local ones from the Boston Music Awards. But they're as influential to the music scene as The Cure are.

But despite how many bands cite the Pixies as one of their favourites and as an influence, very few bands actually sound anything like them. I can't decide if thats a good thing or a bad thing, really. One of the great things about the Pixies is how distinctive they are. You hear a Pixies song, you know its a Pixies song (provided you've heard one or two before). One of my big complaints with todays music scene is that alot of the so called "indie bands" aren't distinctive. They sound just like each other.

The only band at the moment I can think of that sounds like they definately drew some influence from the Pixies is Modest Mouse.

 

[Hades]

I don't really recall MM ever sounding like them

 

[kainedamo]

The voice and guitar work in some of the songs is Pixies-esque.

Whatever happened to Modest Mouse anyway? They haven't released anything in years.

Rumour has it the Pixies are working on a new album.

 

[Hades]

Modest Mouse released a new album this year I believe.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Television and Gang Of Four were both pre-pixies

 

[Noir]

...Wow, you know who IS the most underated band..
The Screaming Trees.

 

[Archangel]

Modest Mouse released a new album yesterday. :|

 

[kainedamo]

Right now I'm listening to the Pixies song 'Tony's Theme'.

I thought it was a pretty good song, then a friend of mine told me the lyrics are about a disabled kid riding a bike. I payed attention to the lyrics, and he's right! The lyrics are hilarious.

Ridin' around on my bycicle like a pony!

TO-NY!! TO-NY!!

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Modest Mouse was just on the front page of the Seattle Times or the Post Intelligencer here this morning for a new release, unfortunately.
Weird you'd bring 'em up.

 

[Archangel]

I personally think Doolittle was the last great Pixies album, I never got into Bossanova or Trompe le Monde.

I work with a guy named Tony, i've been meaning to ask if he's heard the song before or not.

 

[Mr. Thing]

Television and Gang Of Four were both pre-pixies

I love Gang Of Four.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Gang of Four was from, like, 1947, right?

 

[Mr Sparkle]

I believe they invented the Lindy Hop.

 

[Noir]

Gang of Four was from, like, 1947, right?

Damn Bayboomers.

 

[PLAS]

Television
Gang Of Four
Fugazi
Husker Du
The Talking Heads
Sonic Youth
Slint
Quicksand
Jawbreaker
Modest Mouse
etc

all these bands have absolutly nothing in common, yet, like the Pixies, they all share the same space in my respects

 

[yenaled]

I think you are 100% undervaluing their popularity and their influence. They are easily one of the best bands from the 80s and early 90s and have influenced a huge plethora of bands from Nirvana to Burning Airlines to The Wannadies. I just don't think how you can say they are underrated - OK maybe your friends don't talk about them all the time and maybe they aren't on National Radio every day but they have been had both critical and commercial success for close to twenty years and released their last album in 1993.

 

[kainedamo]

I think you are 100% undervaluing their popularity and their influence. They are easily one of the best bands from the 80s and early 90s and have influenced a huge plethora of bands from Nirvana to Burning Airlines to The Wannadies. I just don't think how you can say they are underrated - OK maybe your friends don't talk about them all the time and maybe they aren't on National Radio every day but they have been had both critical and commercial success for close to twenty years and released their last album in 1993.

No see, this is exactly my point.

They have achieved ALL of that. But never have they recieved mainstream recognition. More people know who Pete Doherty is. And less people like Pete Doherty's music.

 

[CyberFaust]

the time was the greatest band in the world

 

[Exploding Boy]

I love The Pixies, defiently one of my favorite bands. I agree with you that there isin't really anyone like them. Ween comes to mind just because they dont really fit in one genre. Alot of the songs have differnt feels to them yet something distinctly Pixies.

 

[hippy fascist]

devo?

edit: also, it's a common misconception that the band were called "the pixies", they weren't. The band's name was simply "Pixies"

 

[Babs Gordon]

Why is mainstream recognition even important?

Fact is the majority of anything mainstream is mediocre. You have to stray from the beaten path to find the best stuff.

 

[Babs Gordon]

Why is mainstream recognition even important?

Fact is the majority of anything mainstream is mediocre. You have to stray from the beaten path to find the best stuff.

 

[KingOfDreams]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this but I think the Pixies is an overrated band. I find the vast majority of their music pretty boring as well as clips I've seen of their reunion tour.

 

[hippy fascist]

that's your opinion and you're entitled to it

 

[Mr Sparkle]

but.....Why is mainstream recognition even important?