The Pixies is my all time favourite American band! The band was formed in Boston, Massachusetts by Charles Kittridge Thompson IV (aka Black Francis; vocals and guitar) and his then room-mate, Joey Santiago (guitar). Through a newspaper advertisement, the 2 of them became acquantied with the bassist Kim Deal who joined the band. Deal's chum David Lovering happened to be a drummer and pretty soon, he became the final member.

Having recorded a series of ace demo tapes that made a great impression on the UK independent label 4AD Records, the band secured themselves a record deal (at that time, the band was named Pixies In Panoply). Their debut album Come On Pilgrim was released in 1987. But it wasn't until their second album Surfer Rosa came out in 1988, that things really speeded up. Surfer Rosa was produced by no other than ex-Big Black Steve Albini and was acclaimed 'Album Of The Year' nearly everywhere in the UK rock press (cool!). Then followed Doolittle in 1989 and the band made it into the national Top 10 (mainly due to the fantastic single Monkey Gone To Heaven). With this album, The Pixies showed a more melodic - yet still very abrasive and powerful - side of themselves; and they thus attracted a yet growing audience.

In 1990 came out Bossanova. The rock press loved it and yet again, The Pixies had come up with what was regarded one of the top albums of the year! Meanwhile, Deal was getting more and more involved in another project (aka The Breeders) but nevertheless, The Pixies managed to release their fifth album Trompe Le Monde in 1991. This album includes a cover version of The Jesus & Mary Chain's song Head On. Sadly, 1993 saw the end of this great band....

Black Francis changed his 'name' to Frank Black (yup, it really IS the same guy!) and is now an acclaimed solo artist; but that's another story.

So if you fancy entering the univers of The Pixies but can't afford to get all their albums - don't despair! In 1997, a compilation album Death To The Pixies hit the record stores....and if that's not enough (or you've got a bit of extra money you wanna invest) there's also been put out, in 1998, an album of previously unreleased Pixies-tracks. All tracks are from a radio session at the BBC and the album's called Pixies At The BBC. Go get it!