Radiohead on Pixies

Most of this is taken from a documentary about Pixies called "Gouge" directed by Robin Mahoney. I am not associated with this film in any way.
I am both a Radiohead and Pixies fan. I think Pixies deserve all the praise they can get, especially from such musicians as Radiohead. I hadn't seen anything like this on youtube so I decided to put this together. Thom Yorke is hilarious in this interview and I wanted to have a place with all of it in one spot. I added a few subtitles for clarification just in case.
Hope you enjoy!
"IT'S EDUCATIONAL!!"

[@beepst]

"The Pixies opening for us is like The Beatles opening for us. I won't allow it". That's beautiful.

[@philliphamilton4782]

beepst absolutely!!! They were such a groundbreaking band and influenced so many musicians!

[@andromeda4995]

Thank you, i don't like watching the videos...

[@TomSmith-gw6fn]

The two biggest bands of the 90s, Nirvana and Radiohead, consider the Pixies their primary influence. That’s really saying something.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

How were the Pixies one of the biggest bands of the 90's?

[@chadwickmcfaggins9734]

@@allsystemsgo8678 nirvana and radiohead were

[@mgm8255]

Nirvana's principal influence? I think it was the Beatles, but well

[@FrostGamingCSGO]

@@mgm8255 Kurt Cobain stated that Smells Like Teen Spirit was just him trying to rip off the Pixies

[@mgm8255]

@@FrostGamingCSGO yeah, I think it was gouge away, but in just that song pixies were their principal influence. Kurt said his love for music started when he got his first Beatles record and the beatles is Dave's favourite band. I am not denying pixies influence on the band, but in my opinion the Beatles were the principal

[@SirSalmonator]

Isn't it kinda funny how the pixies influenced Radiohead as well as Nirvana, yet they are not as well-known?

[@ethanabelar]

The Velvet Underhround inspired everyone, and they get less recognition than even the Pixies in my opinion. Sad, really...

[@mwright83]

ethanabelar In the Pixies song "I've Been Tired", Charles says "I wanna be a singer like Lou Reed I LIKE LOU REED!". Pixies definitely sight them as an influence. Many say that Charles Thompson/Frank Black/Black Francis' singing style is very similar. However, I might disagree with you though about Pixies popularity vs. Velvet Underground's… it seems like more people like or have at least heard of the Velvet Underground. That's just my experience.

[@ethanabelar]

Matt Wright Yeah I see what you mean. I'm definatly listening to that song though

[@lithiumissick42]

ethanabelar i dont think its sad. i think its just the nature of the music. the pixies' music is incredibly dear to me but i sitll admit that its must harder to listen to or get into than a band like radiohead or nirvana-*and thats fine*. they have left their mark on music whether or not their music gets a lot of listen time or not through that influence. And not everyone is gonna thoroughly explore music or these genres in great depth and if the band that they do hear is nirvana i think thats fine and pixies lovers should be content that they experienced some of the pixies feel through nirvana. if i were a member of the pixies id be overjoyed with how much appreciation and happiness my music was able to bring to others. and beyond that, the pixies often harbor a more intense love than your average band, look at thom yorke, it inspired him so much that he went on to front radiohead.

[@lithiumissick42]

***** the mbv records sold pretty well actually

[@jamesduffy7549]

props for getting the fitter happier voice

[@abcdefzhij]

Isn't that like a super generic text to speech voice lol

[@jamesduffy7549]

@@abcdefzhij no, it's quite specific

[@abcdefzhij]

@@jamesduffy7549 Damn 3 years later reply, nice haha. I still swear I've heard this voice somewhere before, but I can't prove it so idk maybe you're right

[@eliazano-brown1629]

@@abcdefzhij it was also the voice used by Stephen hawking if I’m not mistaken

[@thesadwolf]

@@jamesduffy7549 The voice was generated by the Macintosh computer SimpleText application. Source: www.songfacts.com/facts/radiohead/fitter-happier Also, it's on my macbook.

[@NxDoyle]

Pixies were to the their time what Velvet Underground were to theirs...they had an effect under the charts, they made very little money at the time and they influenced just about everyone who went on to pick up an instrument and form a band. And they inspired the formation of a lot of bands. Nice tribute, thank you.

[@abelramirez7320]

Nx Doyle Same can be said about Sonic Youth

[@NxDoyle]

Abel Ramirez Yep.

[@DannyDanko56]

Shouts from Houston 🖤 The Pixies

[@Matt-602]

@@abelramirez7320 I've been itching to put in "Daydream Nation" or "Evol" lately. Sonic Youth, the band I DID NOT WANT TO LIKE, is as good if not better than advertised

[@spiegalr]

My favorite band talking about my other favorite band. I am okay with this.

[@squiremuldoon5462]

I was at Coachella 2004 when this happened, that was the first time coachella was a sold out event. I was right infront of Kim during the show and will never forget seeing Thom on the side stage rocking out to the pixies throughout the whole set, it was quite a surreal moment. Back then it was an event for music connoisseurs. I stopped going after 2009, its not the same festival anymore.

[@renelizabeth9290]

It's strange, yet very satisfying to hear my favorite band talk about their favorite band. I have all Radiohead albums as well as Pixies and you can really here some resemblance. Agh. This was just fantastic to watch. XD

[@renelizabeth9290]

I wouldn't say that. Some riffs and definitely lyrically they're on the same page. They obviously don't sound exactly the same.

[@mywhychromosome]

+Lauren Taylor Yeah, Jonny's guitar style in particular (in RH's 'rockin' days) is heavily heavily influenced by Joey Santiago's. Just take a listen to "Just", "Anyone Can Play Guitar", "Paranoid Android"...even as late as "Go To Sleep"s lead parts

[@yoshiwall5870]

+Lauren Taylor My fav band Too! and yes, it was very satisfying to watch. Pixies album, Doolittle is my second favorite album, behind In Rainbows and you can see so much correlation between them.

[@timheavyable]

i saw pixies in ireland when touring surfer rosa album,i was 15 and blown away,i had found my music.

[@Danjoker.]

If you're a fan of the Pixies you're instantly awesome.

[@scottoliver567]

Amen, brother!

[@TheLarskoster]

...and if you have a Pixies tattoo...?

[@ITIS2000MAN]

Why, thank you 😊

[@mrdobalina8006]

@@TheLarskoster A total loser

[@TheLarskoster]

@@mrdobalina8006 What a nice comment , your parents must be very proud of you...

[@TheRedcandles]

Wow, I love the Pixies and I knew they were one of Radiohead's influences but I didn't know they loved them this much. Really cool to hear because I love both bands so much. They are both amazing!

[@MultiUnreal]

I always like hearing my favorite musicians fanboy over their favorite musicians. It helps me relate them.

[@bengolious]

That reminds me of when The Who were on the bill with The Jimi Hendrix Experience and neither wanted to follow the other as they had so much mutual respect.

[@post.hack.depression]

bengolious the who won a coin toss so they played before Hendrix. Then in order to follow the who’s tradition of smashing instruments Hendrix upstaged them by burning his guitar on stage while playing ‘wild thing’ before smashing it to end the festival

[@yalikebe3ns797]

is there a way i can see that? xo

[@jmarty1000]

@@yalikebe3ns797 Sure you can, a film was made of the Monterrey Pop Festival in 1967. That's where this happened.

[@thelessworld]

Thom Yorke is happy, Jonny has no hair in his eye, what a rare radiohead stuff :D

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

Surfer Rosa has the best recorded drums. Ever.

[@mauriciocamarena1138]

Agreed

[@ThreadBomb]

Steve Albini

[@the_emmo]

And then there's the crappy production on Trompe Le Monde ...

[@ZzzZzz-fg9hx]

My fav pixies album

[@prodbymarmelad]

doolittle has some mean drums too

[@DGemme1000]

I was introduced to Pixies from an art student, and fellow camp worker in the summer of 2000. I always thought that Nirvana was the worst of the most famous grunge bands. At the time, I thought Pixies were like them, but they came years before. Then, I had an epiphany, about Pixies and Nirvana. It’s a planet of sound. They make that. Now, my 3 year old and I listen to them every time we are in the car. That’s our bond, that’s our band. I’m so happy he loves the sound, it doesn’t need to make sense, and it’s art. Thank you, Nick V from our summer at NISD, if you happen to read this.

[@ududebun]

Very impressed that they got Stephen Hawking to read the Coachella quote.

[@MikaelLewisify]

Right? WTF was that?

[@SpaceMonkeyUX]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWW2q6mpgquUm80

[@bobble500]

I appreciate this is from 3 years ago and you may have since found out for yourself. It's a Radiohead reference of sorts - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWW2q6mpgquUm80.

[@Statsy10]

@@MikaelLewisifyTo answer your question two years late, the Radiohead album OK Computer features a computer synthesized voice.

[@Maridu01]

I love it that the best know what the best is... Kurt Cobain was also a huge Pixies fan. So was David Bowie. So am I.

[@mwright83]

Maria Eduarda Mayrinck makes me laugh that you're putting yourself up there with Kurt Cobain and Pixies and David Bowie as "the best"… okay! Keep being the best! Probably not what you meant though. Hehe

[@TheSqrpshr]

@@mwright83 I love it that the best know what the best is ... Kurt Cobain was also a huge Pixies fan. So was Bowie. So is Maria Eduarda Mayrinck. So is Matt Wright. So am I.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

So, I guess that's a compliment. Thanks. :)

[@virechevarria1804]

Pixies are unique, genuine and unrivalled. They can't be compared to anything I have heard before.

[@Sutherland16253421]

Radiohead has always been my favorite band, but it is through them that I discovered the Pixies, an absolutely phenomenal band that I can't stop listening to. I love both bands and it is extraordinarily pleasant to discover a video like this. Very good editing indeed.

[@zaxapitsa]

what's funny is how good bands are so terrible at copying their idols they end up with something different, but great, while mediocre bands do a better job copying then fall into oblivion or mainstream shame, at best.

[@blackmore4]

Who did the Pixies copy?

[@mcspankey4810]

blackmore4 they didn't rly actually

[@blackmore4]

@McSpankey What I thought too. All the truly significant/brilliant groups seem to totally erase any influences with their own uniqueness.

[@econogate]

pavement fall into that category, they did pixies pretty damn well, even better than most, yet they were not a huge phenomena at the time, though they were loved by a core fan base. Pavement also did the sonic youth thing which made them sound unpolished or not as professional at times and more lofi. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2OxpKxqnZ2lepY

[@Ronsterino]

The mediocre band thing described Coldplay perfectly

[@priskilletFOB]

I pretty much just came and cried at the same time. These two bands are the top of my list and its such a delight to hear Radiohead to speak or the pixies like this.

[@Hellstrike]

Brilliant indeed, getting to see Radiohead talking so lovingly of the greatness that is the Pixies. First time I've seen any of it, thank's a heap.

[@StormIsNotTheWeather]

What a beautiful way to start a new year. Thank you.

[@octlennon]

thank you thank you for uploading this!

[@boxanova66]

that is why Radiohead is such a unique band, saying no to letting the Pixies opening for them instead of lying in their pedestal all high and mighy like many other bands usually get, is just admirable...

[@JJ-ju6ky]

When I heard "where is my mind", it was the first time I had heard anything from the Pixies. Mind blown, and I was addicted to their music. Still one of my very favorite bands of all time. Just incredible music

[@AMOW42]

seeing both bands this summer, i'm going to cry

[@yalikebe3ns797]

how was it :3

[@AMOW42]

@@yalikebe3ns797 i cried

[@yalikebe3ns797]

sick! can you recocmend another band you like to me? xoxoxxo :]

[@JFK-ir7yz]

My two friends and I drove from NY To Cali in 2004 to see Pixies at Coachella. It was our first opportunity and we took it no question. I loved the Pixies already but after that show, I knew that they were the best rock band ever. The crowd was massive and every single person was completely focused on them like I’d never seen. It was magical. Pixies forever

[@Proxylfc]

Ijust thank god that the Pixies reformed and got some of the recognition and money they deserved

[@lifeinaglasshouse08]

That was the best six minutes I spent today, thank you.

[@mrflibble1259]

Hearing one of my favourite bands complimenting one of my other favourite bands just warms my heart

[@radioheadfreak7511]

MY TWO FAVORITE BANDS RADIOHEAD AND PIXIES. THOM YORK AND FRANK BLACK OR BLACK FRANCIS GREAT ARTIST

[@katkal3]

damn straight! i love those 2 bands too. in fact i started listening to the pixies because i read a book about radiohead back in 2005 and heard how much the band loved them so i went and bought surfer rosa and frank black's solo album and just loved both albums so much now i buy anything they release.

[@vinitube00]

katkal3 please can you tell me what book is it? I would love to read a book about radiohead

[@hickorymccay2994]

@@vinitube00 I think he's referring to Exit Music: The Radiohead Story. I own a copy.

[@vinitube00]

@@hickorymccay2994 thxxx, I will look it up

[@mikeschatz9153]

In 97’ I snuck back stage and a guy about my age with a backpack and dark hair asked me for a cigarette. I gave him one and while we smoked together he asked me what was my first concert? I said the Pixies at the moure theater. He gave me a half smile and invited me up on stage. I spent the rest of the day watching my favorite bands from the bests vantage point. I never knew that the pixies were such an influence on radio head. I never knew that I had such a connection with them back then. I feel real good now thanks for the video.

[@NoYoutubeName1]

Back stage of what concert?

[@barrygreenstein8383]

I remember buying the cassette tape of their debut EP Come On Pilgrim after reading a review in a magazine and I thought this band is fantastic and one day people are going to be talking about how amazing they were! I guess that this is the "One day" that I was thinking of!

[@superhans7989]

never knew they loved pixies this much! both great bands

[@dakavanagh]

When I think of or hear UMass, "It's educational" screams in my head as well!

[@Gabriel-fj2es]

Pixies is one of the most influential bands in history.

[@ListenToPumpkinMusic]

This video is really well edited. Great work.

[@philliphamilton4782]

I never new Radiohead were influenced by one of my all time favourite bands! I now have even more respect for them!

[@emma-xt5iy]

love the fitter happier cameo

[@televisiondevil5235]

There’s a video where David Bowie heaps massive praise on them as well. You might say I’m primarily a prog/70s music fan…I love Pixies. In my top 10 all time bands for sure.

[@narcant5695]

Only situation where text for speech isn’t annoying in a KZbin video

[@herchelleonwood7463]

as a giant Pixies fan its easy to overlook how much influence Husker du & the Replacements had on the Pixies, and Joy Division on them, & Iggy on J.D. etc etc,, the 10 years of this great under ground music set the scene for Nirvana and the 90's,, the best era in music history.

[@AwesomeCoasters]

Right now in College, it's Radiohead that's changing my life. Lowering my grades because I can't stop listening to their albums.

[@raulriquelmelagos]

me dieron vuelta estas dos temas de pixies "monkey gone to heaven" y "debaser " los escuche como 4veces.cada uno y luego me di cuenta que radiohead son fans de ellos .woow esta musica si que conecta personas..

[@thelovepools4102]

Thom Yorke is always on some kind of sobering trip in interviews lol.

[@theREALChadsexinton]

It’s amazing that Radiohead says they could never follow the Pixies. I once saw a concert in Delaware where Weezer followed the Pixies lmao.

[@thingfishp]

The last time the Pixies played here in New Haven several years back we were walking up the street down the block from College Street Music Hall and Frank Black comes walking by with a couple sacks of take-out and it just totally caught us by surprise. I was dying to approach him, but we left him be. Great show as always. We saw the Dinosaur Jr. anniversary show for "You're Living All Over Me" at Terminal 5 a handful of years back and they had some killer guests (Kim Deal, Johnny Fucking Marr, Lee Renaldo among others) and Frank came out to do a couple songs and for those 10 or so minutes it was Frank Black's show, not J Mascis's. Just an incredible show

[@mercurialmagictrees]

Huh wow awesome

[@SPINDY72]

It's the year 2023 and I saw The Pixies in Chicago. And they still can f*cking play.

[@chimmyspromise]

I freaking love Thom Yorke and I freaking love the Pixies! Hecks yeah!

[@myboytheharp]

they had like 7 big hits on each of the first two records, not released as singles but they made it to the best of

[@entreguesaosbichos]

surfer rosa still is my favourite record of all time...

[@awesome420ication]

When your favourite band talks about your favourite band. Too good.

[@scaredypicker]

It's no coincidence that Radiohead are also one of my favourite bands...

[@hinkhall5291]

Thanks for narrating Steve Hawkings.

[@YellowBazz]

Love them both :D

[@zacman182]

So many qualities that Radiohead is describing about the Pixies is so true about their music today.

[@edkerry87]

always wondered why Stop Whispering was my favorite song off that very fine album.

[@Freesia84]

i love thom

[@lifeinaglasshouse08]

@Conacostock I too have a hard time listening to anything else, as I am first and foremost- a Radiohead fan. But my brother is a Pixies freak and finally got me to give them a try and I am really glad I did. It is brilliant song writing and brilliant guitar work- (as Jonny said in that video, they don't do a lot of guitar heavy stuff anymore since "you just can't keep copying them"). So especially, if you like their guitar heavy albums- I'd guess you would like Pixies a lot.

[@mwright83]

@blackbeltbrown The song is called Stop Whispering by Radiohead. It was written for Pixies.

[@Conacostock]

I've had all the Pixies stuff on my comp for a few months now and still haven't gotten around to them. I have a hard time getting into new artists, I'm usually just listening to Radiohead all day. The only Pixies songs I have heard so far are Hey! and Where is My Mind? both of which I love. I'll probably check out Surfer Rosa and Doolittle soon and likely the rest, which I can get to after I finish 3 more Sam Kinison albums.

[@ederlarita7350]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnbWoat7qcpriZo you may like this

[@RoqueDuarte]

When I see Pixies alive after is reunion, I was all the concert with my body hairs up.. 😄🎶

[@alikeness]

Thom fangirling over the Pixies

[@tdalb8985]

It's cool when one of your favorite bands are fans of another of your favorite bands.

[@matthewstetson1840]

Well it's about time we gave something back. I still feel bad about Bon Jovi. Didn't realize they had a woody for them. I knew about how Yorke felt about REM.

[@DjWellDressedMan]

Saw The PIXIES @ TT The Bears' in Boston in 1987 with maybe 30 people watching the show!

[@StormIsNotTheWeather]

Ah, the judgement! I do have OK Computer, sometimes I just tend to ask stupid questions. I don't do it on purpose, it just happens, I can't help it. But it's nice to see that you're a true fan who will protect the radiohead fanbase from anyone who isn't perfect.

[@mrcadzilla]

You are a great band as well, Radiohead.

[@jorgevial131]

Radiohead, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. They all reveer the Pixies

[@GiddyPinata]

Haha, I remember seeing you on that Arcade Fire song. Nicee.

[@kindofchoclate]

i feel the same things about them they feel about the pixies *(who is also really great and one of my favorite bands)

[@terriblecrayon]

Right on the money. And your profile photo RULES

[@loucifer3919]

Surfer Rosa is puertorrican, she surfs on the northwest part of the island. I hope she's doin alright. Love fto you all, from San Juan.

[@coguglielmi]

That explains why I've always considered Radiohead an outstanding Indies band. It's because they 'worship' the Pixies as much as I do... Oh well he's also mentioned REM ! Can't agree more...

[@downrodeo2112]

Jonnys right about Surfer Rosa, I've had the album for years now I'm finally really starting to get it, I always liked it a lot but I liked Doolittle better. Now Surfer Rosa is catching up.

[@briantran2170]

"Hey" is phenomenal

[@MajorBorris]

The Pixies are way underrated and deserve more credit!

[@mwright83]

@soleilmh I don't know exactly when it was filmed, but the documentary "Gouge" where this interview footage comes from was released in 2004.

[@TheParanoidAndroid1]

I hope Radiohead know that the gig where I came out thinking "well, what's the point, really?" was a Radiohead show. Both such phenomenal bands.

[@rosalbina188]

@snapman801 yeah i agree with your theory, cos i know placebo too are great fan of pixies, they even sang 'where is my mind' with frank black on stage back in 2003 in a french gig

[@trumpetking11]

It's the voice from the track Fitter Happier, off of OK Computer.

[@jackssmirkingrevenge9365]

radiohead supporting the pixies supporting the beatles.. thats the gig im asking st peter directions to when i reach the pearly gates

[@mrflibble1259]

When I'm at the pearly gates...this'll be on my videotape

[@javiercisternasnajle]

I love that they use the ok computer voice to narrate lol

[@peelslowly28]

When one of your heroes worships your other hero

[@the_emmo]

What about Dinosaur Jr? I hear even more resemblance between Johnny's and J Mascis' guitar playing than that of Joey.

[@danaalexander2654]

Agreed. Wonder if they were fans of them as well. I love both. Probably the pixies a little more but Dinosaur Jr was like a soundtrack to my youth

[@crookedbraincrookedbrain9874]

They were also big pavement fans

[@thomasrainbow]

Can someone please upload or share a link to this amazing documentary "Gouge". It's so good!

[@kimdef6210]

Don't know the pixies,,,But out of something good,,, came something amazing is all I can say...And yes--Radiohead is absolutely amazing to me,,I hope they live on for a long, long time

[@ZeldaFoxEars]

Same, what can I say? Great minds think alike.

[@ilikeacoustic28]

Everything they say about the Pixies in this video, I have said about Radiohead many many times in many many conversations with my best friends (also Radiohead fans).

[@mwright83]

@hottcuppajoe It is Radiohead. It's called "Stop Whispering". It was written for Pixies.

[@HauntedHarmonics]

It warms my heart in a special kinda way when I see Brits infatuated with American bands, considering it was always the other way around for me growing up. Nice to know theres so much mutual respect and influence

[@cyrusvirus6928]

a lot of great american bands were appreciated first in europe before they make it here. great for europe but sad for US

[@StormIsNotTheWeather]

You're right. I should've known.

[@callmeishmael3031]

The Pixies were the greatest band of the last 40 years, IMHO.

[@samstechworld]

the pixies are the whole reason nirvana even started as a band, they are their idols

[@blackmore4]

What did/do the Pixies think of Radiohead?

[@ArmaniMenchaca1990]

Thom Yorke couldnt of had said it clearer! Pixies 'Surfer Rosa' album was there sexiest album in my opinion.. with singles like Bone Machine, Break My Body, Gigantic, River Euphrates, Cactus, and of coarse Where Is My Mind.

[@mwright83]

I used the mac text speech thing on the simple text program. Sounds exactly like the album one to me. I am not familiar with googles.

[@mwright83]

@OutstandinMediocracy Haha! I was going for the "fitter, happier" robot, but sure!!

[@GBH001]

good lads!