The Pixies expect magic beyond 'Doolittle'

Photo by Chris Glass

Joey Santiago, of the Pixies, says that rumors that members Black Francis (Charles Thompson) and Kim Deal aren't getting along are not true. "Charles has always been a nice guy. In interviews he always comes off very terse and abrupt and he's really not like that. He's a funny guy." The band is, from left, Kim Deal, David Lovering, Black Francis and Santiago.

Photo by Chris Glass

Pixies drummer David Lovering says after reuniting the group members appreciate what each member brings to the band: "Without one of us or what we do, it would not be the Pixies." The band is, clockwise from top left, Joey Santiago, Lovering, Kim Deal and Black Francis (Charles Thompson).

The Pixies are regarded as one of rock's most legendary bands, but when the group first arrived on the scene, they weren't the hippest thing going.

"We were always touted as the nerds," says Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago. "In fact, we got signed without (the record company) even knowing what we looked like. They thought we were all going to be dressed in leather! I think I had an alligator shirt on and Charles had an Oxford. Kim had her secretary outfit ..."

The fact that the Pixies looked so conservative only made their music seem more subversive. With songs including "Wave of Mutilation," "Gouge Away" and "Monkey Gone to Heaven," the Pixies were a peculiar combination of darkness and innocence. Their look was simply what they normally wore.

"I guess people could relate to that," says Santiago. "You don't have to look that rock 'n' roll. Back then, we'd laugh because the crowd would look more rock 'n' roll than us. Especially Germany. Leather pants!"

Santiago laughs.

The genesis of the Pixies goes back to Santiago and vocalist guitarist Charles Thompson IV (who began calling himself Black Francis and later Frank Black) becoming friends while attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in the mid-1980s.

"We instantly hit it off," says Santiago. "We had the same sense of humor and the same interests in music, too."

The two began writing songs together and, in 1986, recruited Kim Deal on bass and David Lovering on drums.

Lovering says the enthusiasm was universal in the group:

"I would sit in class and try to design logos and stuff for the band. I really liked what we were working on. I hadn't heard anything else that was like we sounded. I was very, very proud of the band. You know, 'We're the best and we'll kick all the other bands' (butts)!'"

In fact, the band's discs became critical favorites and are now considered classics. Many bands cite the group as hugely influential on their own work.

"When people say 'Doolittle' is a classic album, I go, 'Really?'" says Santiago. "Because when I think of classic albums I think of Steely Dan albums or Led Zeppelin. I just don't even think of us in the same category."

The band broke up in 1993.

"We kind of knew the way things were going with the band, the dysfunction and everything," says Lovering. "But it was kind of abrupt when it did come. Kind of shocking news. Then it was trying to get over it and realize I had to go on to something new."

Deal formed the Breeders. Thompson went solo under the name Frank Black. Santiago formed a band called the Martinis and the members played with each other on various projects.

Lovering also became a professional magician.

"If you think being a musician is hard, try being a magician!" he says. "There are destitute musicians, but there are REALLY destitute magicians!"

The group reunited in 2004. Lovering says it was an opportune time for him financially, and, after giving up drums for 12 years, he realized how much he loved them.

Santiago says the first show the band played after reuniting was nerve wracking.

"We were so nervous. We had to go up the stairs. It was like going up to get hung!"

The crowd, though, went wild.

In 2009, the group celebrated the 20th anniversary of the release of "Doolittle" with a tour in which the band played the album in its entirety. The tour is still going on.

"We've only kept doing it because people ask for it," says Lovering.

He expects the group will cease the "Doolittle" tour in 2012 and both he and Santiago hope the group will record an album of new material.

Santiago and Lovering say the band is still in the talking stages, but things look promising.

"My fingers are crossed," says Lovering.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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