Pulse
Daily Egyptian - Arts & Entertainment - Carbondale, Illinois
The Pixies riding wave of newfound interest
Kyle McCall
kmccal@dailyegyptian.comA few months ago a friend of mine turned me onto a band called the Pixies after proving that they weren't the death metal scream-maniacs I thought the were. Since then, I haven't been able to turn off the Pixies.
Judging by the a reunion tour that seems to be selling out everywhere it goes, I'm not the only one catching on to one of rock's greatest groups, albeit a little late. The band recently ripped through Chicago's Aragon Ballroom, packing the house each of the three nights to play songs that sound as good as they did when they were recorded nearly 20 years ago. Attendance at Pixies shows are much higher than they were when the cassette was the best way to listen to music.
Hailing from Boston, the Pixies (named after the definition of pixie: a fairylike or elfin creature, especially one that is mischievous; a playful sprite) are a sonic mix of Francis Black (later Black Francis after he later split with the band to test his hand at a solo career), Kim Deal (of Breeders fame), David Lovering, and Joey Santiago.
The Pixies are the forefathers of alternative rock. If Kurt Cobain never had picked up a Pixies cassette in his detached, depressed early days, we would never have got the generation anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
One of the best things about Francis Black is the howling death scream that comes all the way from the bottom of his stomach to punch the listener in the face. This signature shout came after a friend suggested that Black "scream it like you hate the b#$%^" in the style of the Beatle's "Oh Darling." The suggestion worked and helped create vocals that can make the hardest listener cringe.
Black's songwriting has established legions of die-hard fans that find different meanings with every listen. Black also switches languages in his abstractly composed lyrics. After a student exchange visit to San Jaun Porto Rico, Black brought back a greater understanding of the Spanish language. Who said you don't learn anything studying abroad? Whatever language Black uses he commands a mastery of surreal word play that has influence countless bands.
Kim Deal is the alter ego to Black's aggressive to the point of destructive musical nature. Her soft voice is the comforting pat on the back after Black smacks you senseless. Deal's gentle vocals move fluidly with her progressively building baselines. She has a voice that holds the nature of a mother's soothing words; a perfect juxtaposition to the explosive guitar and drum sound of the Pixies. You can hear Deal's melodies in the midst of an all out ear-piercing assault - an incandescent light in the middle of a raging storm.
David Lovering keeps the beat for the Pixies army. Never overpowering but always solid, Lovering finds a way to keep the madness from spiraling out into nothingness. Joey Santiago matches Black lick for lick on the six-string creating a guitar duel comparable to Lynard Skynard's two guitar solo in "Free Bird." Bet you just yelled out "Free Bird" didn't you?
The Pixies have put their mark on the alternative/indie scene for years all while making fans out of the likes of the aforementioned Kurt Cobain and the uber-pretentious Thom Yorke. After listening to the Pixies for a while you can her pieces of the group's music in nearly anything that is stamped with an alternative label.
"Wave of Mutilation" a best of the Pixies album is on store shelves and is a good place to start for a Pixies newbie. Just don't say I didn't warn you when you are proclaiming the greatness of the Pixies and can't stop listening to them. After settling into their music nothing sounds like it, and nothing sounds as good.
Today's News | Sports | Voices - Editorial | Letters
Newsbriefs | pulse - Arts & Entertainment | Calendar | Photo Staff
Apts & Rentals | Photo Personals | Live DE NewsCam | Classified Ads
Last update: Thursday, November 18, 2004 at 8:02:18 PM
Copyright 2009 Pulse