Pixies

The Pixies were one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the '90s. They melded punk and indie guitar rock with classic pop, classic pop, and stadium-sized riffs. Singer/guitarist Black Francis' bizarre, fragmented lyrics about space, religion, sex, mutilation, and pop culture. By the time Nirvana broke the doors down for alternative rock in 1992, the band was effectively broken up. The band's 2004 reunion was as surprising as it was welcome. The band's frequent tours led them to record albums, including 2016's Head Carrier. They continue to inspire acts ranging from Weezer, Radiohead, and PJ Harvey to the Strokes and Arcade Fire.

Pixies were founded in 1986 by Charles Thompson and Joey Santiago. The duo recruited bass player Kim Deal and drummer David Lovering. Inspired by Iggy Pop, Thompson chose the name of the stage, Black Francis. The first full-length album of Pixies, Surfer Rosa, was released in 1988. The album became a college radio success in America, reaching number two in the U.K. Frank Black published The Cult of Ray for the United States in 1996. David Lovering left the Martinis and became a touring drummer for Cracker. Santiago also started a career in soundtracks and incidental music. Since 2013, Pixies has released three new EPs. 'Bagboy' was the first new music of nine years. The band is working on an album that'll be their last full-length album until 2020.