Artist Research

History

• The Pixies formed in 1986, compiled of four musicians – Black Francis, David Lovering, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal – from their hometown Boston, Massachusetts.

• They released their first full-length album in the Spring of 1988, named ‘Surfer Rosa’ featuring the hit song ‘Where is my Mind?’, contributing to their monumental breakthrough into the industry.

Style

• Each band member claims to have a different musical background in what they listen to. For example, Black Francis claims to be a fan of Iggy Pop and Hϋsker Dϋ, where as guitarist Joey Santiago gains influence from the like of Jimi Hendrix, as well as being a massive fan of ‘Rush’.

• Laura Barton describes The Pixies’ style in her article for the Guardian ‘Misfits that Fit’:

"an unorthodox marriage of surf music and punk rock, ... characterized by Black's bristling lyrics and hackle-raising caterwaul, Kim Deal's whispered harmonies and waspy basslines, Joey Santiago's fragile guitar, and the persistent flush of David Lovering's drums."

Website

• The previous slide shows the current appearance of The Pixies website, in 2013. Immediately, we can see promotion of their new song/album as well as upcoming tour dates.

• Scrolling further down the homepage, we can see the advertising of many different items available on their online shop, including clothing, accessories and CDs/vinyl’s/digital download.

Representation

Mise en Scene

• The clothing that the band has worn has varied over the years. Some styles appear to bare a sarcastic element, furnishing a style known for its more serious aspects with a hint of irony. On the other hand, their style can be seen as very different from what was around at the time, further acknowledging their independence.

Use of Camera

• A recurring element in photos and videos of The Pixies is the range of camera angles used. They have adopted the use of limited shots to achieve a personal yet recognisable style within music videos and photo shoots, allowing the audience to gain a familiarity with the band and add an element of uniformity.

Themes

• The Pixies have always explored the theme of surrealism, which has been a constant throughout various projects. This is seen in their albums ‘Doolittle’ and ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’. Furthermore, they have explored themes relating to behaviourism, leading to the writing of the song ‘Where is my Mind?’

Album Covers

• Album covers have always bee a key facet in distinguishing one band from another; and The Pixies are no different. They have a very distinctive style when it comes to their album covers; creating a tarnished, worn effect with an incorporation of sinister visual impression.

Logo & Typography

• The letter ‘P’ with wings hanging off the back has become the iconic logo for the Pixies, appearing on everything from album covers to t-shirts. The typography of the logo is edgy and considered slightly gothic, which corresponds with the intense tone in the bands music.

Branding & Representation

• Over the years, The Pixies have been branded as one of the founders of Alternative Rock. This branding has led to them being represented very highly in the media, with the majority of their works being praised with great merit. Due to this representation, they are regarded as one of the most influential bands of their era.

“…the band drives a spike into Eighties rock.”Rolling Stone Magazine

“…the quintessential college rock album of the 80's through the present.”

Sputnik Music

Similar Acts

• The Smiths

• R.E.M.

• Nirvana

• Jane’s Addiction