mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
It has lately come to my attention that some very smart people I know — who otherwise have great taste in music and art and all things cultural — don’t know who the Pixies are. If this is the case with any of our readers, I’m going to fix that today. The Pixies are revered as the indie rockers who started it all, so influential that Kurt Cobain once famously called Nevermind his attempt to “rip off the Pixies.” It’s also the 20th anniversary of the Pixies’ breakthrough album, Doolittle, and I was lucky enough last week to see them perform it live, in order, first track to last. It was such a great time, I thought I’d try and replicate the experience a little bit right here on the blog. Ladies, and gentlemen — this is Dootlittle.
“Debaser”
“Tame”
“Wave of Mutilation”
This was from the concert on the night that I saw it, shot by someone who had a much better place to stand than I did.
“I Bleed”
“Here Comes Your Man”
Frontman Frank Black wrote this song when he was fifteen years old. FIFTEEN.
“Dead”
“Monkey Gone to Heaven”
Classic, classic, classic.
“Mr. Grieves”
And here’s TV on the Radio doing a really interesting a capella cover of “Mr. Grieves.”
“Crackity Jones”
A song about a crazy Puerto Rican roommate Frank Black once had.
“La La Love You”
The only Pixies song sung by drummer David Lovering.
“No. 13 Baby”
“There Goes My Gun”
“Hey”
“Silver”
This song and “Gigantic” were the only ones in the Pixies catalog penned by bassist Kim Deal.
“Gouge Away”
Comments (12)
Comment
- Follow mental_floss
Awesome. I’m probably going to avoid the Doolittle shows as I’ve already seen the reunited band like five times, but I have to say, these recent Pixies concerts have been intense — you’re in a room in which LITERALLY EVERYONE KNOWS ALL THE LYRICS and is singing along. Thousands of people, who thought they’d never see this band live (since they broke up in what, ‘93?) screaming their hearts out — just awesome.
posted by Chris Higgins on 11-9-2009 at 9:32 pm
You Pixies fans with little ones might like the Rock-a-Bye Baby album of the Pixies. Perfect for that indie punk baby who has everything ;0) Link is in my name.
posted by Lynley on 11-9-2009 at 9:47 pm
Thank you! I know all the Pixies songs by heart, but I really appreciated the TV on the Radio cover.
Should have included Gigantic, though – not on Doolittle, I know, but the youtube video of Kim Deal is AMAZING. Beyond words.
loudQUIETloud was one of the best “movies about bands” I’ve ever seen. I recommend it to everyone who enjoyed this post.
posted by Q on 11-9-2009 at 9:50 pm
This post approached the Critical Mass Of Cool. And “Gouge Away” is not just my favorite Pixies song, it’s also the greatest album closer IN LIFE.
posted by Joe Maz on 11-10-2009 at 12:13 am
I saw the pixies last thursday night at the hollywood palladium. one of the best shows i’ve ever seen. they were so great sounding still, after so long. kim deal just makes me want to be a bass player in a band when i see her. she’s so awesome!
posted by Krystal on 11-10-2009 at 12:38 am
I’ve tried to like the Pixies. Really, I have. But they just don’t sound “good” to me. I’m sure I’m missing a necessary “music appreciation” gene, but they sound atonal and grating (just my opinion).
posted by TBV on 11-10-2009 at 9:56 am
\Hey\ has to be my all time favorite. Check out the Pixies live acoustic DVD from the Newport Music Festival. I got it at FYE for $5.00. The best fiver I ever spent.
posted by Dave on 11-10-2009 at 11:45 am
Love, love the Pixies. Saw them about 4 years ago and way back in 1990 with Love and Rockets.
posted by Julie on 11-10-2009 at 11:47 am
I’ve liked The Breeders for a long time, but never could get into the Pixies until I started “playing” their songs in Rock Band. “Monkey Gone to Heaven” got me.
posted by dan1101 on 11-10-2009 at 12:55 pm
Going to the Pixies show on Saturday. So excited! Thanks for the great post.
reCaptcha: notify Ashabranner
I don’t know who Ashabranner is but consider yourself notified!
posted by Erin on 11-10-2009 at 1:15 pm
Pixies, a good band, influential yes.
but sorry Cobain said that smells like teen spirit was his attempt to ‘rip off’ the pixies. NOT the entire nevermind album.
posted by MergedLoki on 11-10-2009 at 6:47 pm
Just saw them last Friday at the Palladium and they didn’t disappoint. Best show I’ve been to in years.
posted by Chandler on 11-10-2009 at 7:26 pm