Pixies: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

The windowsills were lined with people standing, as every nook between every office desk filled to capacity with NPR employees and their assorted guests. Pixies, after getting misplaced for a time in our parking garage during a moment worthy of This Is Spinal Tap, showed up in time to encounter the largest crowd we've ever assembled for a Tiny Desk Concert. (Our new office space allows for more guests than the old one did, but it's still a mark of this band's significance for so many youthful grownups.)
Black Francis played an acoustic guitar for this set, while drummer David Lovering set up a simple snare and a cymbal, tapping a tambourine with his foot where a bass drum might be. With his electric guitar, Joey Santiago was the only plugged-in member of the group. The newest member of the Pixies is Paz Lenchantin, a musician of many talents who played violin at the Tiny Desk, though she handles bass duties at larger concerts. You may miss Kim Deal on bass for all the good reasons one might miss Kim Deal, but Lenchantin rhythmically fits in well, and was a treat to hear (albeit quietly) on violin.
Prior to the rolling of cameras, the band warmed up the crowd with "Where Is My Mind," but this three-song set features a 2014 tune called "Greens and Blues," a song yet to make it onto a Pixies release called "Silver Snail," and 1989's "Monkey Gone to Heaven," which melted hearts and seared minds with a new memory from a time long past. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"Greens And Blues"
"Silver Snail"
"Monkey Gone To Heaven"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Olivia Merrion; photo by John Poole/NPR

[@PixiesOfficialTV]

Hey 👋

[@kanstanwinn3670]

been tryin to meet you

[@Weirdkid9022]

Hey

[@Weirdkid9022]

@@sofiac6867 you’ve ruined it

[@gamingforbeard]

hai mait

[@calypsoschild]

hey besties

[@WESLEY_GOSPEL]

I love how the Pixies are just normal people. They are not pretentious rock stars. They are just cool normal people that make cool sounding songs.

[@terryclothrobe3654]

They’re actually really awkward people, cool but genuinely neurotic and shy. There was a doc called loudQUIETloud that came out shows them on a reunion tour, kinda cringe but also really relatable.

[@adamlindeman5738]

I know that's why I look up to them so much. Black Francis and Joey Santiago worked in a warehouse while they were rehearsing songs.

[@justinw2232]

Do you know them? That is quite a leap!

[@sturdeehouse]

I like that some of the rock stars I like are pretentious. I like that some aren't, actually I don't really care either way.

[@JamesByronMusic]

Relatable is boring

[@raddudeman1652]

Black Francis lookin like he's about to call in a expert on some pawn deal

[@85geoffm]

Customer: "Can you play Where Is My Mind?" Black Harrison: "The best I can do is Blues and Greens."

[@loliwinston1007]

Jfc 😂

[@jamesc7286]

Hank Schrader

[@laughingatbirds]

The older I get, the more I think The Pixies might be the greatest band of all time.

[@harryjustawizard8966]

awesome band man, get better and better the more you listen

[@volman16]

Same.

[@robertives973]

I’m probably on the young side of their fan base but I have to say, the pixies are easily the best concert I’ve ever seen. I love the production of edm shows(and even kiss lol) I love the intimacy of small acoustic shows too. The pixies are my favorite band ever and it’s because they put on an amazing show. I’ve seen them three times and I’m looking forward to a fourth.

[@killian001]

💯 %

[@lightenupgin3331]

Pixies*

[@link5004]

0:00 Greens And Blues 5:00 Silven Snail 8:55 Monkey gone to heaven

[@ChilleBruh]

Thank you! 🫶😎

[@vincentv.9729]

Pixies are The Velvet Undergound of late 80's- early 90s. Never sold tons of records (relatively to other bands) but all the people who bought these records wanted to create their own band.

[@drewcamero1489]

vincent v. Yeah, the older i get the more i appreciate those that lay down in the road to stop the inevitable

[@Brokenface]

Well Doolittle in 2018 marked Platinum reaching 1 million copies sold

[@McHidro]

@@Brokenface nice data

[@manchesterunitedno7]

Indeed. It's the bands' band. The ones that of almost the entire 90s alt rock/britpop bands pointing out in the interview why they started their bands.

[@TheSychuinTree]

It is also said that anyone who's heard of this comparison between the Pixies and the Velvet Underground will go on to present it as their own original observation.

[@Kento_nanami_the_2nd]

"Why're you whispering?" "We're whispering because. . .we're Shy." Best shy person response ever.

[@Azra-cg9fn]

That's me😁

[@robertdouble559]

Paz really became part of the band. Saw them live with her several times. Gonna miss her.

[@GuyLeRauch]

The "lady on the violin" is the ever awesome Paz Lenchantin. She was the bassist and arranged strings for A Perfect Circle, played bass and backup vocals for Zwan, played bass for the Entrance Band. This chick is awesome, and a pure musician. Great addition to the already kick ass Pixies!

[@edloki3057]

Shame I can't hear the violin in this set.

[@marcelopepinho]

This chick was very hot at Zwan

[@sebacar2250]

@@marcelopepinho she is still pretty hot to every place where she goes

[@fcardenas184]

GuyLeRauch didn’t McJunkins play bass for APC?

[@vincentansemsdevries8165]

Bonafide MILF, don't kid yourself.

[@rafakragspikedrunk]

Mr. Black looks like Hank Schrader

[@richardcarruk]

thinking the exact same thing!

[@DirtyPoopers]

Rafa Spikedrunk Hank Schrader with a touch of Kyle Gass

[@brunofranchini]

Rafa Spikedrunk he's name's A.S.A.C. Schrader, A.S.A.C. Schrader.

[@LoLEntensindtoll]

Rafa Spikedrunk I was thinkin' about the white Gnarls Barkley. xD

[@matthewcampos6517]

Rafa Spikedrunk He looks good,looks like he lost weight.

[@brunocfer2]

They´re minerals Marie, Godammit

[@evanrobinson9807]

My favorite band of all time. I took a road trip with my dad the summer of 1998 in which we traveled across the united states twice over the course of 3 months. It was an incredible trip. My dad played Doolittle the entire trip and it became mine and my siblings anthem. My sister and I had an argument about whether the line was "Monkey gone to heaven" or "Monkey going to heaven." Whenever I listen them, I am taken back to the summer of '98: the homerun race, South Park, Torn by Natalie Imbruglia, Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls, and my dad. I never saw him again after the trip.

[@xWIREDOGx]

Sometimes you read the most beautiful/tragic things in the KZbin comments. I’ll never forget this entry. Hope your life is good in spite of that last line.

[@yourmom9951]

He dead?

[@nothinachieving]

What?! I need some closure!

[@apothecary0420]

Good god the Pixies are fantastic. As is the entire tinydesk series.

[@santiagobenites]

You are 100% correct!

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

So far, 83 people HATE good music.

[@drpepperr]

hulkhatepunybanner or at least they responded with one thumb the wrong way.

[@OldBikerKarl]

While standing, head firmly lodged up your butt, thumbs down is actually thumbs up.

[@LiamDuffProductions]

Thanks Karl.. I felt a little silly rather than witty, after reading my original comment. So it had to go... Google is so much more sinister than removing comments- but I do understand your sentiments. We'll all take turns, I'll get mine too-

[@sonniesays]

"We're whispering.....cause we're shy."

[@joshhale9355]

Everyone here wanting where is my mind, I wanna hear Debaser acoustic

[@jennymisteqq5399]

You sound so “I liked that band before they were cool”. Well guess what? I liked them way back when too and Doolittle, with Debaser, is my favorite album because that’s when I first became aware of how great they were. However I would not be so pretentious as to assume people were here just to hear “Where Is My Mind” or a few of their most popular songs. And if they were, what’s it to you? Those are good songs and maybe this program will expose them to a wider array of Pixies’ music? But you wouldn’t like that. Would you?

[@jennymisteqq5399]

When I stand back and try to be objective, Bossa Nova is probably a better album than Doolittle, but I fell in love with the Pixies when listening to Doolittle. And you know what first loves can do to your perception of things...........

[@VirmanaMarketing]

It would have been too obvious... this set is fantastic as is

[@babyshaker8932]

I think they do an acoustic version of Debaser on the Newport folk festival set.

[@lennycook206]

There's already a million videos of those. Yawn

[@bingebinge3722]

I was lucky enough to watch a live when Kim was in, but Paz is a great musician in her own right, bring a whole new dimension to the band.

[@RealNickTheCoolest]

It will never be the same without Kim Deal. The acoustic session they did in Newport, RI in 05 is one of the best live performances I've ever heard.

[@claudio130]

@@RealNickTheCoolestKim was Kim, the goddess, yeah, we know that. But let’s move on, Paz is great!

[@ZacTheFirst]

@@claudio130welp, Frank fired Paz :(

[@claudio130]

@@ZacTheFirst really? When? Bummer!

[@ZacTheFirst]

@@claudio130 February 2024, and similar to when he broke the pixies up out of nowhere in the 90’s, Paz didn’t even know he kicked her out until after it happened

[@kplt1234]

You can see at 9:07 how the guitarist misplaced his fingers and his reaction realizing it when playing the chord But this "off-key" actually sounds pretty freakin great!

[@hoi7100]

It does sound really cool!

[@cianaid8372]

lol and you can notice on his reaction!

[@warldpeace2019]

The violinist smiles so nice singing

[@ungabunga6735]

I went to see pixies and weezer in Austin and they were off the stage before the sun even went down. Best concert I’ve been to in my life

[@BlueHopi144]

they are the best they have been in 30 years ....saw them back in 89/90 ( twice ) and from the footage i saw from this summer's Tour , they are just Incredible . Frank's voice had been kept like a fine wine .

[@rootbeer5356]

I love the little moment with Joey at 9:07 just a very charming reaction of him messing up and looking at the camera

[@hairbradschmidt513]

yeah... the "ups" this one and the "we are whispering because we're shy...."

[@davidvschoor]

One of the best guitarists out there... Underrated for being able to evoke emotion out of a chunk of wood, some strings and a pick up. Thanks Mr Santiago!

[@pomona1976]

Here here!!

[@jamesinfante1547]

paz is a great fit

[@markpr73]

They could not have found anyone better! She is an awesome player/singer, and she has the same unassuming,friendly stage presence that Kim had. The woman is mesmerizing.

[@TraitorVek]

Frank - Saw You and your Band the Catholics Back when in the Nineties at a Place called ' The Princess Charlotte ' in Leicester, England, UK. I think the Set wasd about 3 and a half hours Long. I remember bumping into the band in a coffee shop next Door to the Venue. One of THEE BEST NIGHTS of MY LIFE ! Thanks Frank and All YOU MUSICIANS out There That Make Life Great ! Much Love !!

[@artofsoul]

I remember exactly when I first heard The Pixies. I was at a Cactus music store in Houston looking for new music. Then a song from Doolittle came on. I rushed up front to ask who was playing. They said they couldn't leave front until help arrived. I waited over an hour to finally find out when clerk checked playlist. One of those bands that leave an eternal impression.

[@alexpeska6872]

That store is great!

[@jmecklenborg]

When computerized music files first appeared, my campus radio station played the same 16-18~ songs over and over again when there was no host for a particular time slot. One of them was The Pixies' "Where is My Mind". It took me 10+ years of not hearing that song to be ready to hear it again, after 100+ force-feedings.

[@baalzeroo]

I didn't know uncle Hank was such a good singer

[@Aaron-kq5kk]

Yeah man Pixies mineral hard.

[@glida458]

Asac Schrader reporting for duty

[@JammastaJ23]

Pixies were famous well before Dean Norris was so other way round sucka

[@cgo5161]

@@JammastaJ23 why u getting so defensive over an old band

[@Jimfowler82]

I’d buy some pixiebrew

[@mariai9549]

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the brilliance of Joey's guitar playing? I mean seriously. C'mon! and Dave's drumming and Paz's vocals and CT's lyrics etc..etc...

[@samfrito]

I was thinking that as well. Rock me Joe.

[@ThePAOYARZO]

Is that Paz ...

[@HC-sb1ru]

​@@ThePAOYARZOONE ZERO ZERO

[@eonoe2727]

9:10 Joey Santiago face like 'No one cared about that notes hehe'

[@bubsyfinnigan4462]

I admire their restraint, not playing Where Is My Mind. It's refreshing.

[@00maxinator]

They actually did play it before cameras rolled lol. Some guy in the crowd recorded it and put it on KZbin somewhere

[@schmidt640]

Holy shit! That version of "Monkey Gone To Heaven" is brilliant. What an amazing set. How the hell do you get to watch one of these live? I don't care what the cost is......these performances are legendary!

[@sturdeehouse]

If you pay me a million pounds I will do all I can to get you in the audience.

[@gunpeiyaboi5280]

"that rhymed 😎"

[@jamesrawson2440]

The first song is brilliant . One of the best Pixies song's .

[@nixtblack]

I LOVE the harmony between Frank and Paz - though Kim was awesome obviously!

[@danellescott930]

"...though Kim was awesome"??? Do you know of whom you speak!? Kim Deal's voice and baselines brought the heart and the soul to The Pixies music. Imo they should refrain from playing songs that she is recorded on (and/or wrote) out of respect for her musicianship and in recompense for Black Francis's many years of assholeness

[@--Zook--]

even 30 years later and acoustic nothing has ever sounded like the pixies. Love it!

[@Daniel_Addy]

Yeah, outside of any genre… Uniquely marvellous ✌️

[@RecordLabelPlease]

Black Francis's voice just doesn't seem to age

[@BlueHopi144]

oh no , such a great singer

[@ceedasun6148]

It was yet old, when he was a baby ;)

[@endlesviewing]

I mean, it clearly ages, but like a fine wine

[@ursusmega2803]

In a good way. You only want to hear wisdom from an old man after all.

[@rashotcake6945]

ShortTermMemoryLoss nah, it does. In their song, on graveyard hill, his vocals sound rough

[@arielbenigno1395]

Paz...Argentina carajo!!!!!!! 💪💪

[@shirleyversace]

holy smokes - still got it. Paz is awesome. And I love how Joey opens Monkey gone to Heaven with a bum note and then looks about to see if anyone copped it - Jesus these guys are so cool

[@kman_video]

Wow, what a good catch! Too funny

[@OutOfMySystem]

This. This is why I've always loved the Pixies.Joey is the smartest guy in the room, every time.

[@blanked_out_chin]

yo silver snail is AMAZING this shit needed to be out like in the 90s no joke. not saying it's bad, more saying this should be a fucking classic song!

[@julienlaloy6855]

Fantastic song!

[@MrMicalo]

Paz is doing a real good job :-) I can't imagine a better substitute for Kim

[@yosethemighty]

Paz has the most intoxicating smile... (makes my head spin...)

[@keepfeatherinitbrothaaaa]

God damn these new songs actually sound great in a small setting like this. A completely different experience. Their old stuff is still the best though.

[@araza13]

Debatable.

[@calebbasile2219]

Idk this sounds as good as anything

[@KirtianM]

Would be awkward that a 50 yo guy with 4 kids wrote the same kind of thing he did in his twenties

[@thesadwolf]

@@KirtianM "Awkward"

[@matthewpardo8379]

Millenials save us

[@TonyDanzer]

I'm so glad Hank found a hobby other than his collection of minerals.

[@surfsup5757]

Hall Of Fame bound. Like Charles cares. No matter if their being loud or soft, a peaceful feeling comes over me when I hear Pixes music.

[@jeffk4608]

this is my classic rock

[@younevershould]

nice profile picture

[@arvin6008]

This is the birth of alternative of rock, I can't believe they release their songs during the 80's because at first I thought they form during the 90's.

[@JorgeSomBinario]

I love you Pixies!!

[@LieLikesMusic]

12:24 that awkward wave lmao. Frank is a character

[@jjc9882]

bow?

[@MrLeomejia]

Pick to the mouth, pick out of the mouth, then wave 😂

[@mike04574]

thats not awkward

[@chris12oman]

Seemed like a sincere appreciation for the audience. Awkward post. But people liked it....Awkward reigns Supreme 😳

[@pmbear]

@@chris12oman look at all the people how on earth was that a tiny desk concert lol

[@artas011]

I feel so happy to live in the same era as Frank Black!!

[@bryans8653]

Man. I love the Pixies so much. I was at the first reunion show in Minneapolis at the fine line. We got up front next to the stage and it was so awesome. Kim and Frank were shocked at the crowd response. They kept giving looks at each other and the band in disbelief. I don't think they thought at the time just how many people fell in love with them over the time when they had broken up.

[@Johnnythefirst]

That first song is so incredibly gorgeous and sad. It's one of their best and it's a (fairly) new one.

[@Johnnythefirst]

Also: "Prior to the rolling of cameras, the band warmed up the crowd with "Where Is My Mind," => Really? You didn't think it was worth recording? :p

[@YuTu13e]

Wish they played Hey.

[@anna_velouria12]

Me too

[@mukmewx]

Hey!

[@anna_velouria12]

@@mukmewx been trying to meet you

[@orangesoda641]

What I like about the Pixies is none of them dress like rock star. All ordinary people playing awesome music .And the chord progression is just amazing and gives you small surprise .

[@alandelatorre5524]

Happy to see Hank is actually alive and now playing guitar and singing.

[@santiagobenites]

Big crush here on Paz :)

[@markpr73]

Oh,no,no!!! I saw her FIRST!!!

[@LeFatCobra]

screw you buddy, i saw her first. You want to take this outside?

[@bengordon2330]

I've already sent her a box of kittens ( about six months ago ), to make her love me, and I'm in the process of explaining to my wife about my new " real and true love ", so you're all out of luck, because once I get my meds renewed, we're going to run away together *twitch*

[@PinkiePyro2011]

...were the kittens in a box alive?

[@bengordon2330]

some of them..kinda..

[@medeyum]

The Pixies, that's a dream desk concert. I'd love to have been there!

[@matthewpardo8379]

Millials save us,

[@petertorrey4080]

Very possibly the most underrated, under appreciated band ever.

[@Mrmapleleaffan13]

Getting the chance to see these such legends on the tiny desk concerts is amazing once in a lifetime type of thing

[@SimonBrereton1]

Nothing better than your favourite band rocking new material that sounds like the good old stuff!! Peace!

[@juancpgo]

exactly

[@KirtianM]

Don't sound the same at all

[@stevek8288]

@@KirtianM says you

[@cactaceous]

Steve Kenwood So says I and every single human being I know that like Pixies. Their new songs and albums since the reunion are really not good.

[@campeon2222]

Paz Lenchantin,credit from Argentina.Pixies the best

[@guille1477]

Paz lenchantin vivia en mar del plata a 5 casas de la mia!

[@pawpotsRS]

perfect circle with paz in npr :)

[@lorentheg]

ñ

[@Jj-pv2ke]

I've seen them twice already and met Joey and black Francis briefly. After the concert we waited for a bit and Black Francis came out with an orange juice and his laundry lol but this band never seizes to amaze me. One of my favorites for sure.

[@vidyaruchi4810]

I'm rediscovering Pixies after an almost 30 year hiatus, and I'm so impressed. They stand the test of time better than anything else I listened to when I was a kid.

[@jyljohnson4990]

I swear I love them so much, I'm unable to see them without weeping like they are my long lost lover. I love the new songs as much as the classics...Greens and Blues particularly soothes my soul.

[@craftvintageunderground4165]

Fantastic performance! The only way to make it even more perfect is if Kim Deal made an appearance. Paz Lenchantin is incredibly talented! It was fun seeing her jamming with the guys.

[@ilchiuso]

Legendary pixies..

[@kazekui]

was so happy to see Paz, very underrated musician

[@genXcripple]

i went to a party at their house in northampton ma many years ago. most amazing record collection ever. aside from the owner of main street records. so many legends, i’m content with living in the past. today’s reality is not for me

[@scottplummer7747]

Without a doubt the alternative darlings of all time...

[@XOOT]

Why didn't they mic the violin? could've added so much. Still loved it

[@harperschannel567]

David Tindale i was honestly thinking the same thing

[@JonathanNelsonOfficial]

It’s nicer with dissonance. It would sound like funeral music if they individually mic’d that thing within the context of these songs.

[@0069datsmaname]

whispering cos of shyness

[@gilmour337]

they put an condenser mic, but paz was standin way too back

[@TheKillerPupa]

It has a pickup on it.

[@DxPxOfficial]

Paz is so insanely talented

[@BlitzHopB]

That girl/woman is like an angel

[@TikiCreations]

These guys are such legends in my head that its weird to even actually see them. Since having tapes, cds, and mp3s of them for decades, I guess ive never actually seen them in person

[@womanzuzu9688]

Surreal when that happens huh!! It's been happening to me a lot since getting a smart phone 3 years ago.

[@ryanjustice2670]

Why couldn't this performance have been over an hour or two? I LOVE THE PIXIES!!!!!!!

[@mariamote690]

Amo a los Pixies! Son la mejor banda de toda la historia!! Me han hecho feliz durante tantos años que no tengo más que agradecerles todo. Ojalá hubieran tenido mucho más éxito, se merecen todo!

[@saulf.4678]

amén 🙏🏼💯🍻

[@frankcavallo]

this was about 3 hours too short

[@ElPumpies]

Love how the pixies sound BETTER live than their studio recordings.

[@saikong6268]

DEFINATELY. Always thought that.

[@Edved_77]

​​@@saikong6268without a doubt, they are amazing live. This tiny concerts very cool, I love the songs they played 😊 I was lucky to have gotten to see them play once live many years ago. Also btw, I love the vinyl album 'Pixies Live from Coachella 2004', is the only live album of theirs I own, to date that is, but it gets played alot!

[@WGBHMusic]

One of Massachusetts' finest! So glad to see them on the Tiny Desk. Legends.

[@johnoliver4294]

Alternative music started in Boston, not Seattle

[@adamwest5702]

I've known who the Pixies were for a long time now but for some reason it took me to my forty first year to actually hear and appreciate what they are. New, old, fan. Monkeys' in heaven; man o' man.

[@beckym8245]

Saw them live 1996 at V Festival. What a great line up that year. Pixies, The Strokes, Muse, Massive Attack, Kings of Leon....fan bluddy tastic.

[@adamlindeman5738]

This is one of the best tiny desk concerts I've seen

[@PinkiePyro2011]

Anyone else catch Joey Santiago tease us with Wave of Mutilation at 8:38?

[@wu10314]

Frankus blackus maximus

[@TampaFanatic1]

Awesome! Always have loved the Pixies and NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts are certainly special as well.

[@justingreen4450]

Been a fan since the 90s. Trompe Le Monde one of my all time favorite albums of any band.

[@JonathanLindsay]

Kim Deal is a national treasure.

[@KarinaGonzalezTrevinoLUTE]

A International treasure! Love Kim!

[@fulfannash4408]

So happy to see Hank Schrader having a blast with his band :)

[@halfmilekiller]

Love you Paz!! So beautiful!!

[@bellhire3409]

Beautifully played all round, especially those wire brushes.

[@savannahsloan8188]

NPR music, thank you for what you do. Every video so intimate, so inspiring. And you got the Pixies on here. My favorite channel of all time THANK YOU

[@bartspruyt4645]

Love this band ! ... nothing more, nothing less

[@franciscomendez8863]

great performance! really well done!!!

[@ramzyred]

This is one of the best Tiny Desk Concerts ever. Love this!

[@tinakohf]

Brilliant. Fan since the beginning.

[@111cheyanne]

Outstanding.. I’m so blessed..

[@MC-br1gk]

The lyrics to Greens and Blues are comforting and calming.

[@teriscallon]

I love the violinist

[@deathkampdrone]

Even after Kim left, these guys maintain their label of being the most dysfunctional band in the world. 3:55-4:25 They're so amazingly awkward! But I love their original discography to pieces. Charles is one of the best songwriters of all time.

[@robertwalker5222]

Seeing the Pixies live man they always give you a fun experience with their deep cuts. My fave band.

[@coilhead]

So lovely. Thank you.

[@NDemanuele1]

Wow, these songs are complex to play, they make it look so easy! One of my favorite bands!

[@juliusd.2541]

Wow.. first time hearing Pixies' new stuff. I'm really digging it!!!

[@atomed2]

This sounds awesome, as always with Frank Black.

[@lifelong5425]

Tiny desk.....beyond a venue for brilliant performances...thanks