Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

This Influential Alt-Rock Band Originally Chose to ‘Skew’ Their Sound on Purpose for a Brilliantly Practical Reason

In an early interview, Pixies frontman Frank Black described pitching the band’s “normal pop songs” to quirky college radio stations.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

When the Pixies emerged, they were just one of the groups shaping alternative rock of the ’90s. They were clearly influential as time went on, but part of the appeal was their early place in the underground scene. That embrace of what “indie rock” used to be was a purposeful choice in their early career, however.

In an early interview while on tour in the U.K., vocalist Black Francis (going by Frank Black at that time) and guitarist Joey Santiago discussed the choice to move in underground circles. When asked if their more offbeat style—in comparison to other American bands—was........

© Vice