The Pixies Talk New Music an Kim Deal Departure

On September 3, alternative rock pioneers the Pixies released their first new music in over twenty years. In this excerpt from a longer interview, band members address early criticism of their new music, as well as the sudden departure of bassist Kim Deal.
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[@puertoriconnect4611]

3:48 they talk about Kim.

[@rogerherrerera5813]

Not all hero wear capes thank u

[@seanado5208]

They seemed to want her to stick around but... no Deal.

[@falcolombardi1000]

I guess some women just don't want the full truth. But you can't blame him for being Frank

[@kurt1555]

She had this choice more than once: stay in the band or keep taking amphetamines. Every time she picks E

[@juderichards6588]

@@kurt1555 you realise the joke??

[@kurt1555]

@@juderichards6588 read mine again, you’ll catch it eventually

[@juderichards6588]

@@kurt1555 I thought so

[@ButtholeLazer]

Damn Hank Schrader is the lead singer of the Pixies!

[@Mykekelli]

ButtholeLazer he really dose like him here lol

[@twisteded2368]

ButtholeLazer 3 years to late

[@hermeticallysealed]

ASoc schrader

[@guillermocabrales6963]

Schrader by day. Francis by night

[@geebee380]

Tread lightly!

[@greagandev]

One of the greatest band alive.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Can't believe he let Heisenberg get away with it

[@delphilungwyn5308]

I dont understand

[@angusrobbie3012]

@@delphilungwyn5308 watch breaking bad

[@AqilahNaqlis]

Kim's departure really made an impact but The Pixies' latest album was still pretty great

[@banjominer9682]

zero impact...she wasnt a very good writer..3rd chair bassist at best..your just sexist

[@mikeOnTheChoob]

@@banjominer9682 are you triggered by their feminine avatar? Aw, bless your thin skin. The Pixies are indeed lesser without KD.

[@ButterBallTheOpossum]

@@mikeOnTheChoob he's trolling bro. Don't feed him.

[@mikeOnTheChoob]

@@ButterBallTheOpossum you're right but some folks make go wilding out at the park and make me kick over the bins and stuff, what can i say...

[@wkseamans]

Didn't know Pixies recorded a new album; gonna have to check it out. Kim's absence is a big loss, though. Her vocals and hypnotic bass lines were an integral part of the band.

[@jordancooperlalala]

This comment is 7 years old (!!!!) but they've now put out three albums! I really like Indie Cindy (though it's pretty all over the place, but shouldn't a Pixies album be?), Head Carrier is a bit bland but there's some real great songs on it (I love All The Saints), it's a bit more like a Frank Black rock album...Beneath The Eyrie is a really solid album but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the 9 demos that did not make it onto the album, released as a bonus CD. This to me is the most Pixies-like thing they've ever done and one of my favorite releases from the band...ever!

[@jimmyhopkins1]

You were right the bands latest efforts were nothing like pre kim deal absence quite disappointing really

[@nedholness9126]

Poor Joe, his eyes were twinkling like he was going to cry when he was talking about Kim leaving.

[@samalaniz1107]

You know i really love Kim as well but that being said i feel like she gets wayy too much credit as like, a prominent song writer. However it seems that the real root of the reason that she is so loved is because of her vocal presence in the old material. Which I love immensely, but Charles was the real game changer. Coupled with Joey's insane melodic sensibilities and Lovering's power house percussion, Kim will be missed.

[@starkiller-8684]

sam alaniz agreed

[@DB-qc9br]

Kim was artistically silenced by Charles. Everyone knows of this. Dude is a renowned control freak and when she got attention, he got super jealous and shut her down. I believe they could have done more impressive work had they embraced her. She went on to do amazing work with The Breeders since it was her main recording outlet.

[@emartinezr]

She gets (and got) the credit because she was a solid part of the early legendary sound. Similarly w Joey and even David. The difference is that Kim did vocals and was a 'presence' so people miss her in general, for whatever she brought. That deserves credit I think.

[@TigerDriver66]

Starkiller -86 Have you listened to the Breeders? She’s clearly an immensely talented songwriter. The later albums where Black just took over all the songwriting were clearly inferior. His solo stuff is also meh. Kim has had tons of success on her own, I think that speaks volumes.

[@citoante]

@@TigerDriver66 Black has great solo albums, although I agree wit you that Kim was a great songwriter. New Pixies is just a money grab. You know Black is kind of desperate for money when he has to "put on the pixies hat" and make new songs. its an artistic suicide, but it pays the bills.

[@username420024]

This was a great Black Francis interview.

[@promich7194]

The latest Pixies really cannot be compared to the latest Breeders. I loved them both 25 years ago. But today? One band has lost its soul and makes empty, meaningless music. The other just dropped a flawless album.

[@cades.clips101]

P Romich which one is bad now?

[@jimmyhopkins1]

Pixies are still good not as good but still good 👌

[@MikeL-gt2wz]

Beneath the Eyrie is actually a very good album. Definitely more Bossanova than Surfer Rosa, but it's exactly how I would expect Pixies to sound in this day and age. I think a lot of folks haven't given it a fair chance.

[@edshu33]

Wow, I have mad respect for Black Francis! It's so cool how he embraces his critics.

[@X1xone]

Frank Black changed rock music, and Kim Deal helped. I like Kim and like the Breeders, but really without a doubt Frank Black is the main force in the Pixies. I would say Joey Santiago sound is very important as well, and I will miss Kim's vocals. But, she left....time to march forward.

[@e.gundogan8656]

Top 10 Anime betrayals

[@PrivateAckbar]

I can see why Kim left.

[@jardarius]

Glad she stuck around? yeah, so are we. Like it or not, Pixies withouth Kim becomes too serius. She was the smile of the band, and she has a good smile,(and voice)

[@Owen-ne6pe]

And was great bass player!

[@leonartmann]

Step 1: Click on 7:25 Step 2: Repeat step 1 forever Step 3: Profit

[@ericmuldoon5418]

I LOVE the Pixies, not only for the amazing music they have made since 1986 (or even earlier!), but they have always had a kind of fiery mystery to their stuff. Well-balanced, adventurous, meaningful, terrifying, confusing...I love it all. Folks are absolutely entitled to opinions about whatever, so in my opinion, Pixies are my favorite band of all time. Pixies trump Led Zeppelin, Black Flag, Los Saicos, Slayer, SWANS, The Temptations, Public Enemy, even my beloved Fugazi.... I listen daily to all new Pixies material, because we have been waiting for this since 1993 and gosh darn it, the new stuff is pretty great. Thanks for reading my book!! Peace to all...

[@bluestate69]

when did kyle gass take over the Pixies?

[@mikogale]

black kyle

[@jonathonkiner7415]

Frank Black is a genius!

[@kaihesful]

a fucking 1/10? What the hell is that?

[@SupaKaream]

They also gave Taylor Swift a 8/10

[@kaihesful]

oh my god...

[@DarkAlley92]

SupaKaream da fuck no they didnt, in fact they've never covererd Taylor Swift

[@EGoltz]

kai hes if the same people that liked Taylor Swift liked Pixies then I probably wouldn't care for em. They are my bind! Cool kids only

[@borisandfef]

look at joey's eyes when "frank" starts talking about kim's "departure". hilarious.

[@borisandfef]

on second thought,dude seems a little tweaky in general.

[@MultiUnreal]

FogMonument lol, he looks like he's bugging out.

[@mrs.bochin0420]

Man, noticed

[@edwardgrabosky7967]

Who the fuck is Charles Thompson? When the fuck did Pixies get back together? I stopped being cool enough to pay attention 10 years ago.

[@StarryStarryNocturne]

The Breeders have a certified platinum record to their credit.Kim actually wrote songs that made the top 40 in rock and were critically acclaimed.All things Charles' solo career failed to achieve.If Charles hadn't had such a fragile ego and let Kim do more songs than she was allowed to the Pixies may've actually gotten the commercial acclaim they deserved in the states,more so than Nirvana.Gigantic as one of the worst songs?That's your opinion lone,because that's one of their most beloved songs

[@ExcitedAnacondaSnake-hg8ec]

Exactly. I just made a similar comment on another video. If frank embraced Kim’s songwriting I believe the pixies would have been much bigger, instead they remain an underground cult band. Only Kim touched the masses however brieflyz

[@Pentimenti]

i didnt know Frank Black was The Dude

[@MrIffyPiffy]

frank black = hank from breaking bad + will sasso

[@eequalsmcdonald]

I literally get choked up thinking about the departure of Kim Deal.

[@joshuajatijohan4779]

Kim's songs should have been on their albums more, look how great Gigantic is, look at The Breeders numbers of albums and they're great. Both are great song writers in their own way. 4 of them what makes Pixies, none can be replaced. In my opinion. It's sad for me. Pixies have this The Beatles thing, which is 2 great song-writers in a band, honestly I can't think of any band that have the same thing too. Again, in my opinion. Ps: this might offend people, personally Pixies is equal to The Beatles musically. Should i say Pixies is the freak beatles.

[@andrepereira744]

Kim is a great song writer for sure, but Charles song writing is on another level,imo.

[@michaelbanks2401]

That's silly. Charles wrote pretty much everything and the few Kim sang on and gets credit for Charles still Co-wrote on these songs like Gigantic.

[@thornil2231]

Charles you are full of it. Listen to what FZ said about the music critics and don't try to play like you are so cool.

[@maxcohen13]

Now he's "Charles Thompson?" _cripes..._

[@cryptozoo22]

Huge fan of the Pixies, and I enjoyed the latest release, but without Kim Deal, it just doesn't feel like a Pixies record. One of the greatest groups ever, but like another incredibly influential band, I think that instead of getting back together, they should have just Let It Be.

[@julosx]

Or keeping on going but with a different name.

[@migueltorres8078]

julosx Joy Division and New Order

[@migueltorres8078]

They got together more for financial reasons I think

[@Pedroleum100]

The whole interview, I was waiting for the question "Why didn't you just ask Kelley? No one would have ever noted that Kim is gone."

[@charlesr5210]

I've always known that there is a line between insanity and genius. All four of the members I have realized, straddled that line. Mental illness has it's perks.

[@lslewis]

I like that line, man: "Mental illness has it's perks." If I ever quote you, I'll be sure to credit your screen name~

[@c.hunter9069]

You think they're all on the edge?

[@sammerro]

pitchforks reviews= me don't giving a fuk :)

[@versnellingspookie]

"it was very FRANK.!" ha.

[@MultiUnreal]

ba dum tss

[@traumatizedmoneyfiend]

woah, black francis is [gigantic]

[@filipecoutinho5706]

They're traumatized by Kim's departure ..

[@jwhiteout]

Frank Black (call him what you want, I prefer Frank Black) is one of the most sublimely hilarious individuals ever. He's really funny in this interview and the swipe after swipe he takes at pitchfork are just hilarious. And then the beatific pose at the end... Oh, I love this guy.

[@jimrbsn]

Kim over Frank.. Charles.... Whatever the chubby bald guy calls himself. Pixies is only The Pixies with Kim .

[@acemma25]

Theres Frank Black, and then there's Interviewer Yellow. Good lord, fire your makeup artist.

[@Jacksmusicshack]

really pitchfork....I think the pixies deserve a 8 or a 9..

[@readwordsonpaper1782]

I love how Frank is bashing pitchfork by intentionally pretending to not know what the hell it is,. Lmao! "I assume they are paid, I don't know."

[@pausebeforeviewtube]

maybe he really doesn't know

[@festersuncle6298]

No Kim Deal is like no Andy Rourke or no Mani or no Peter Hook or no Getty Lee or no John Paul Jones or no Mike Mills etc.

[@kdakan]

That new album deserves two stars out of five for me, and it's just me. If you guys *love* doing that music then do so, but I'm not a fan of this album as much as I love the older albums with Kim Deal onboard, you might mistakenly not care but she owns a huge part of the Pixies sound.

[@speciesofspaces]

Oh boy, well, unfortunately these guys are proving just how irrelevant they are becoming every day now. They look broken, no? I mean doing an interview for the WSJ? Not cool! And then acting like you don't know how interviews are supposed go? Or worse, you act like it is the WSJ guy who might be the issue by putting your head down like maybe you were forced to do the interview? Proof again why Kim was so essential!

[@Snapcase-yr1nw]

They shouldn't care about Pitchfork; they are above that. Talk shit about Pixies and then giving all that credit to all those stupid rappers like Kanye West urggghhh!

[@dummytree]

They REALLY shouldn't care about Pitchfork, those hipper than thou critics who scratch their head over giving an album a 5.9 or 6.1. "Indie Cindy" was a very fine album, it's better than many Frank Black albums- it's just not 1989 anymore...when most Pitchfork people were young and couldn't care less about the Pixies, by the way. It's just a shame Kim Deal isn't around anymore.

[@aerion4077]

I imagine being such an exceptionally reasonable person in a mostly unreasonable world gets immensely tiring after a while.

[@ChrisThomas-lt8jd]

Between the Pixies original split, and them re-forming with Kim Deal, many years passed. During that time Charles Thompson released many albums as Frank Black. For them to release music, which flows seamlessly from their last album, well, it would be bizarre. Too much water has flowed. I like some of their new stuff, and it sounds like Pixies to me. I'll wait for it to sink in, and I certainly dont think their new music is 1 out of 10... But hey, its everyone's freedom to have an opinion eh....

[@tucopacifico]

I love Pixies and have bought their music, which means I REALLY like them. I won't be buying any of this, it just isn't my cup of tea. I can think of LOTS of other stuff I would only give one star to, it isn't THAT bad. I was really bummed that Kim had to move on, but it was awesome they reunited in the first place. Hopefully now they are all better off financially. I am glad they are coming up with new music, and hope they do more.

[@NxDoyle]

The Pitchfork review was written purely for this reaction.

[@artdentphdent]

Pitchfork have shown time and time again that they have no concept of what great music looks like or dare I say it sound like. The 8 songs released thus far are so much better than I could ever have hoped for, this is where the Pixies would have been had they not split, without having to listen to all the dodgy albums they would have released as they experiment with their sound (see Blur and Radiohead)

[@StarryStarryNocturne]

Big parts of the Pixies' unique yet diverse sound: Joey's effects driven guitar. The contrasting vocal harmony of Charles and Kim. We've all heard what Charles sounds like without Kim or Joey. We've heard what Kim sounds like without Joey or Charles. Varying degrees of 'good' between them, but never anything nearly as powerful, or as captivating, or as infectiously charming as the music they made together. Take one out of the equation, and it's simply not the same.

[@whutwhut2434]

Teenager of the Year is pretty amazing

[@mauriciocamarena1138]

I can only watch Charle's third leg

[@Acoustribute]

It's so hard interpret what's going on between Charles and Kim... I did hear that the guys picked songs from Charles's catalogue without any input and that she didn't want to show up to the rehearsals for the sessions. Who knows? They've left an open invitation for her to come back. Joey seems the most bummed about it...

[@EGoltz]

Frank looks thinner than usual. Good for him. He looks great.

[@eequalsmcdonald]

I literally get choked up thinking about the departure of Kim Deal.

[@Trainy2]

Good news. The new EP 2 got a 2.0 on Pitchfork! Improvement.

[@americanpancakelive]

Joey is so funny in his own subtle way.

[@beatleneil]

when they have it, they have to break it up because of ego. And when the magic's lost they do a comeback.

[@machbaby]

While I'll miss Kim in the Pixies, she is better off writing her own songs with the Breeders.

[@MooresGroup]

I guess they're paid at Pitchfork... Beautiful, Frank, just beautiful.

[@wungabunga]

I was that dweeb kid at one time. I remember my flaws, I know his. Your risible comment discounts experience, wisdom. Writing a youtube comment is not my career - I don't have to spend hours dredging up 'wit'. His critique can't be 'true', by definition, therefore you can't be very bright.

[@thebigredwagon]

I loved Indie Cindy.

[@mariai9549]

ok interview til that last question. wtf? Journalists have a vivid imagination.

[@musicforchewfaygs]

i have to admit i felt the same way when i heard kim left the band. i had no interest in hearing the new material. but when i did (toe in the ocean, and indie cindy, specifically) i was blown away and excited to hear what they would come up with next. it's obvious that franks song writing, and the musicianship of the band (regardless of whos on bass or doing back up vocals) is still solid and impressive music, and i'm glad that they are back at it.

[@MrBostonnight]

The Pixie, without Kim, no interest in seeing them, look I'll give you a heads up at the end of this,, there's no denying Kim is the the real deal the real deal, rock, best female bassist ever, , she drank more beer than any of the band

[@andrepereira744]

Still lame after 7 years

[@6mazzini7]

Charles /Frank doesn't sound too broken up about Kim's departure.

[@06mrselfdestruct]

If there’s ever a Pixies film, Vince Vahn will play Santiago

[@DD-rw9zj]

Indie Cindy is a Great album! Pitchfork sucks for rating it so low!

[@StarryStarryNocturne]

beloved songs WORLDWIDE* Kim IS the most loved member of the Pixies WORLDWIDE and she's the only one with onstage charisma. Considering ALL of what I just stated (which are facts, not opinions) she IS like the Paul McCartney of the group. She's always written the most commercially palatable songs, and poppier songs (from Gigantic to the Breeders Last Splash EP), some of the big names they influenced said they wished Kim had written more with the Pixies. And she drew the most visual attention.

[@getheroutofthetruck]

She couldn't Deal with it.

[@Bezzell_Rocket]

No Deal, no Pixies.

[@qotsajr]

Bingo!

[@tracer0017]

Ya she was a big part IMO, love her bass work

[@chrisothoulos]

Paz is better

[@AthosRac]

Not really!

[@Acoustribute]

I will reserve judgement on the new material until I give it a fair listen...

[@CooperZilkenat]

Frank Black does not give a damn.

[@izetyusein3323]

Pitchfork gave the Pixies first two albums, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle, a perfect score of 10/10, while their third and forth records, Bossanova and Trompe le Monde, received high scores of a 9.1 (for Bossanova), and a 9.4 (for Trompe le Monde). However after their reunion after their long breakup, with exception to Kim Deal who did not rejoin the band, the Pixies current albums and EPs have received mixed to negative reviews.

[@wwgt]

Once again Charles T, Black Francis Frank Black has written yet another batch of beautiful songs, be it called Pixies, or FB does not matter. Head Carrier is a great record as was Indie City..so pffffght to the naysayer's..Long may the fountain of music flow from the spring of Charles and Co. obvious songwriting talents

[@MrBostonnight]

Linda bean Pardee, laughs as she plays, just like Kim deal,she drinks beer just like Kim deal, she plays the bass every week in the small clubs in boston, she sais I know I look like cousin it!as she laughs, she's having a ball! Imagine havn cousin it her ways are just like Kim deal! Find her on Facebook or her band , Ad frank and the fast easy women!

[@Tim21189]

I love The Pixies but I agree their new stuff is terrible.

[@MrBostonnight]

There's only one girl who can fill Kim's shoes, Linda Bean Pardee, she plays he bass in the small clubs in boston every week, she enjoys it as much as Kim as she's able to laugh at herself like Kim, and drinks beer as much as Kim deal, look her up she looks like cousin IT,,

[@seanyboy07]

Charles looks like Frank Schrader from breaking bad

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

Some Pixies is better than no pixies...kim wasnt stable enough to have stayed in a rock band without temptations..shes healthier for staying out qnd th e band will do just fine. Vocals and guitars makes pixies.

[@shimrodson5443]

problem is the first 4 albums were such monumental masterpieces that everything that came after could never be on the same level even if decent, same with frank blacks solo albums

[@jordancooperlalala]

It's a strange thing. Like I could rationally understand why the first several Pixies are iconic, legendary, groundbreaking albums, but personally I prefer Frank's solo albums. The songs just speak to me more. I connect with them. Pixies songs kind of shock me and blow me away, but Frank's solo songs tug at my heart, really reach deep within me.

[@jigrodrigues]

@@jordancooperlalala Im a fan of Pixies albums but also quite prefer Black Francis solo work

[@sordello51]

I got to see the Pixies at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque a couple weeks ago. The Pixies still have their mojo!!! Even without Kim. The first couple of times I listened to the new stuff - I was thinking this wasn't the Pixies at all. They are a live band by nature and seeing how it fit into the show - I realized this is still the Pixies! Black Francis is still the king of Alternative music.

[@MrBostonnight]

Linda bean Pardee can also be sen on KZbin I just looked her up on KZbin,she would have been the best Kim deal fill in , Boston's best female bassist rock is in her blood check her out, she a home run for any band looking for success!

[@leavinghope1970]

I'm going to miss Kim not being in the Pixies. She was the heart of the band.

[@danoasislives]

when two people come to a point to where they really get unnerved by the other individual...they need to get away from that person....point is this in the last 3 or four years Kim and Frankie and the Pixies have been on and off the road more then they had done in twenty or more years ans im surprised by what i know that they were able to coexist this long

[@jamieoliver807]

Funny how Black Francis (or whatever he goes by now) takes so long to answer two simple questions. Not that complicated, man!

[@PhilInsane]

All the pixies when bald this makes me happy

[@patrickmckay307]

Shame kim had to leave but nice to hear the pixies again .they plaid my hometown and icouldnt believe it so i missed them my broyhers family too and they are real big pixies fans .🏀

[@wungabunga]

It can be a curse, though not always. You makea lot of judgements, you think the only reason anyone could disagree with your negative opinion is out of some misplaced fanboy allegiance? What arrogance, ah yes, the arrogance of youth. I remember that and cringe. One day you will too.

[@HIGHFLYERZ]

No Charles, You will never Recover from that lose, as much I love the Pixies... NO DEAL NO PIXIES!

[@wungabunga]

1) I do not believe that Frank Black ever had anything 'to say'. 2) Pixies early stuff wasn't the best. 3) They were largely ignored early doors in America anyway. 4) They were played out after Albini according to the hipsters of yesteryear. 5) Later, as above but insert Doolittle in place of Albini. 6) It's one EP, more to come. 7) you have no 'facts', just opinion mired in critical tropes. I am quite enjoying their new stuff, not comparing it to any previous work. Look forward to more.

[@EndlessMeghan]

So... does the sound go out at 7:21 for anyone else? I wanted to hear the retort.

[@clacclackerson3678]

Yes. Very annoying.

[@wungabunga]

See now you're just vomiting opinion all over my screen. Urrgh. Read back what you've just said; inaccurate as it is - it's also illogical. Are you trolling?

[@Pazuzu82]

Glad the pixies are back making there same great music fuck the critics and all the pish pop like bieber, taylor swift and all them wankers who just want to be famous wannabes. These guys make real music!

[@aquababy2012]

It's not the same and never will be.

[@wungabunga]

The critic was some kid who wasn't even around when the Pixies were. Yet he seemed personally offended... dweeb. Well I was around, saw them first in 88, and I like the new stuff.

[@recordingsbeforethenukeswe9588]

The pixies man ❤️❤️

[@YOURTECHFRIEND]

Great interview 😊😊👌

[@evetsiksatu]

Pitchfork is always dead wrong. Their 'best new music' is shorthand for stay away...

[@augustfuckingwest]

is this frank or hank?