Like Joy Division and The Smiths, Pixies are a band whose absence in the HOF completely baffles me. I don't get it.

Others who have posted here have raised great points I don't need to restate.

Posted by Robert on Saturday, 01/26/2013 @ 18:06pm

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/valentines-day-special-the-10-messiest-band-breakups-20130214/the-pixies-19691231

THE 10 MESSIEST BAND BREAKUPS # 9 - The Pixies

If the Pixies had survived another couple of years, they could have become huge. Their first two albums are some of the greatest music to come out of the Eighties, but they had the misfortune of being way ahead of their time. When America was finally ready to embrace "alternative" music, they were barely on speaking terms. Simply put, frontman Black Francis and bassist Kim Deal didn't get along very well.

They met when Deal responded to an ad in a newspaper seeking a bassist, and thus had no real relationship outside the band. The fans fell in love with Deal, and Francis got jealous. He froze her out of their later albums, causing her to launch the Breeders as a side project. That band started to take off, and by 1992 Black Francis had quite enough of life in a band. Making matters worse, the Pixies agreed to open for U2 on the first leg of their Zoo TV tour. The tour became an endless slog, and the band grew weary of playing to half-empty arenas of bored U2 fans.The following year Francis faxed his bandmates to tell them it was over. Over the next decade, he didn't speak to Deal once.

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 02/19/2013 @ 10:45am

The Pixies

01. Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar)
02. Kim Deal (bass, vocals)
03. Joey Santiago (lead guitar)
04. David Lovering (drums)

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 02/19/2013 @ 10:56am

I literally didn't even know the Pixies existed until I worked with Frank Black's ex-wife in a comedy club in L.A.

Of course, I really only listen to cheesy pop music, so what do I know? ;)

Posted by CP on Wednesday, 07/24/2013 @ 11:05am

i can't believe i read all of that.

the answer is 'no', and the reason is that the pixies wore their own influences on their sleeves far too heavily, without ever really melding them into anything unique. it's a little less abrasive than the jesus lizard or big black, overall - by inserting bits of REM. their most famous songs are just ripping off REM. that's the harsh reality. and, when taken as a whole, they're nothing more interesting than a watered-down and more mtv-friendly version of sonic youth. that's the really damning part of the analysis: the pixies are a band that, historically speaking, did absolutely nothing that sonic youth didn't do before them at an incomparably higher level of quality.

looking back, a full narrative of the 80s alt/college rock thing doesn't require mentioning this band in any way other than that they followed in the footsteps of others. that's why they never get in.

Posted by dcghkfhydghflhka on Friday, 01/17/2014 @ 16:07pm

Of course they should be inducted!!!!
You people like Nirvana? Well, there should've be any Nirvana if it weren't for the Pixies. Kurt Cobain triying to imitate what?
Kim Deal is LOVE!

Posted by BulmaPunkRocker on Sunday, 07/6/2014 @ 22:19pm

I would say NO to The Pixies. Had a short peak time. Probably had to make 2 more killer albums to be considered. Think Duran Duran, Def Leppard, The Cure, Moody Blues, Chicago, Scorpions, Byan Adams, etc. more deserving RRHOF. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 05/11/2015 @ 00:13am

Personally, the fact that Pixies only had a short peak time means very little. That short peak time influenced Radiohead, Nirvana, Weezer, PJ Harvey, The Strokes, and Pavement. U2 and Bowie have cited them as having made some great music in the 80s.

It's not about how much time you have in the limelight - it's what you do with that time. Pixies set the stage for a lot of the great alternative rock that came out of the 90s. They belong in the Hall.

Posted by SotN on Saturday, 08/1/2015 @ 03:34am

I don't see the Pixies as a HOF band. One of the criteria is musical excellence. Don't see the Pixies musically excellent. Counting Crows or Black Crowes or some of Radiohead early stuff HOF. That's what I envision a Hall Of Fame band sounding like. It will help that late Kurt Cobain loved the Pixies and they will pick up some influence points. Black Francis voice is nothing special and he ended the band on the doorstep of more recognition. I will say Here Comes Your Man & Where Is My Mind? are good songs. I could see the Pixies like the Replacements receive a nomination down the road. Don't see the Pixies getting inducted before The Cure, AIC, Soundgarden, The Smiths, Pearl Jam, Radiohead. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 08/2/2015 @ 04:33am

I hope the Pixies don't receive a nomination this year 2015. The Cure are definitely more deserving as well as Duran Duran. The RRHOF is very consistent on the importance of Musical Excellence. Pixies do not meet this criteria in any measure. So Kurt talked good things on the Pixies. Nirvana are still remembered highly 20 years after Cobain's death. That is what a RRHOF band looks like. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 08/17/2015 @ 00:44am

Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are often cited to be among the best albums of the 1980s, and the Pixies were praised by critics years before the release of Nevermind. They may not pass your test for Musical Excellence, but that doesn't mean they won't pass the HoF's.

Posted by The_Claw on Monday, 08/17/2015 @ 13:39pm

Musical Excellence is such a nebulous term to begin with anyway. I honestly believe the passage of time is a tremendous factor in determining musical excellence, especially if said music dates back far enough that it's had all that time to influence succeeding generations through innovations. I would suggest that the only names that surpass the criteria for musical excellence, whatever they may be, are the numerous classical and jazz composers who've already been enshrined as legitimate, respectable music by academia and other credible sources. Many of the Great American Songbook songwriters/composers would certainly qualify, as would gifted instrumentalists like Django Reinhardt, Les Paul, and Jeff Beck. A few blues guys like Little Walter and Muddy Waters for certain. As far as rock 'n' roll goes, I honestly can't think of 10 acts that even have the credentials to fit into that elite class. Perhaps the Beatles, despite my hatred for them. The Pixies' music is still too recent to even begin to enter that conversation. A respectable cult band that did influence some later movements, but not so overwhelmingly innovative as to reshape the entire foundation of music itself. I can't say I know many people in the real world who namedrop them as a favorite, but most of the aforementioned names figure prominently into the music discussions I have with people in the real world, which is where those conversations actually matter.

Posted by Zach on Thursday, 08/20/2015 @ 13:51pm

Can think of 50-100 groups more deserving of the RRHOF than The Pixies. Duran Duran, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Procol Harum, Moody Blues, The Cure, NIN, Roxy Music, Phil Collins (Solo), David Gates & Bread, Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, The Cars, Bad Company, The Guess Who, Mariah Carey, Black Crowes etc. Maybe others can think of more bands. KING

Posted by KING on Thursday, 05/11/2017 @ 22:34pm

Not a Pixies fan, huh, KING? ;-)

Lots & lots of great songs & 4 monster albums. Some of those on your list I agree with, but Bread?!

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 05/12/2017 @ 08:09am

Anybody who thinks Bread(!) is a viable RRHOF inductee has opinions that can't be taken seriously by anyone...

Posted by Fah King Ridickulouse on Monday, 05/15/2017 @ 16:19pm

Vote for Pixies

Posted by greg on Friday, 05/19/2017 @ 11:17am

Rock N Roll Hall of fame is a joke. They hate indie bands. The Pixies and Sonic Youth are probably the two most important american indie bands.

Posted by JACK on Wednesday, 07/19/2017 @ 16:53pm

Honestly, I don't see how The Pixies receive a Nomination in 2018-2019 cycle. Janet Jackson and Radiohead will take 2 spots on the ballot. There's at least a 50 band artist backlog before The Pixies get mentioned. Do not see The Pixies having the impact and staying power of a Chicago,KISS,Moody Blues,Pearl Jam, Radiohead, etc. Few music fans even talk about The Pixies anymore. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 07/9/2018 @ 01:21am

Saw this band last Friday up at Riverbend in Cinn. They played before Weezer.

Have done alot of fests over past 8 years, but had never seen these guys. One of my favorite bands, so I was pretty stoked.

They did not disappoint, as they tore thru s number of greatest hits in their 1 hour set. Lady who replaced the person who replaced Kim did a fine job on bass. Lead guitarist can shred hard. Played part of a song with his hat. Hardly ever sings anything. Sorta reminds me of the guitarist for Jane's Addiction.

Was in much better seats than I (and my nephew) had purchased. Got thru the whole set in them! I think Pixies will be in within 5 years. Too influential, too many great songs, etc. etc.

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 07/10/2018 @ 06:57am

Glad you got to see them Paul! And its great to know they still have it after all those years. As we all know they have been very influential in rock (cough cough Nirvana) so it'll be no surprise within a few years. The Pixies have been no my bucket list for a while, but since they're touring so much I haven't prioritized on it yet.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 07/10/2018 @ 13:12pm

I doubt the Pixies will be inducted anytime soon. Look how difficult it has been for Sonic Youth and The Replacements. Depeche Mode, The Cure, and The Smiths still haven't been inducted. Metal giants Iron Maiden and Judas Priest haven't even been inducted. Maybe, they would get a few votes from the Nirvana guys but who would place an "X" in the Pixies box. Bowie's dead now. This could be a Roy assignment. Who would vote for the Pixies. KING

Posted by KING on Tuesday, 07/10/2018 @ 18:12pm

Depeche Mode, Judas Priest, the Cure, and Iron Maiden will get an induction in the next ten years. As for the Pixies, that might not be an easy one to pick up due to their small fanbase, unless the HOF fully embraces the 90’s now than what I’m expecting.

Posted by The Dude on Wednesday, 07/11/2018 @ 11:46am

The Pixies are definitely in the top 100 most influential acts and will likely make it within the next five to seven years.

Posted by David on Monday, 07/29/2019 @ 09:25am

What? 'Come on Pilgrim' is up there with the best rock albums ever. Who cares if their influential you guys are so lame for repeating that over and over.. Pixies definitely should go in. The sound is timeless.. Long live punk

Posted by The Kiss Off on Monday, 12/2/2019 @ 11:32am

The Pixies (along with Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Mudhoney, etc.) were the soundtrack to my high school years. I'm not a huge fan of their post-Deal albums, but I haven't given them much of a chance. If the HOF was based purely on popularity or number of albums sold, the Pixies wouldn't stand a chance. There are many acts that are included, however based on influence and theirs is pretty clear in modern music. One thing I do know is bands like Nirvana and Public Enemy getting inducted, as if they're a thing of the distant past makes me feel pretty old.

Posted by KP on Thursday, 12/12/2019 @ 10:10am

People like Logan are welcome to their opinion. I'm just confused why they would come on an obviously pro Pixies website and criticize their music. Cause his band is also highly regarded by Bowie, Harvey, Arcade Fire and others. I take it Logan must have seen them live. Frank Black is so present on the stage. When they reformed in 2011 I really thought nah. I saw them twice in Belgium and man alive. They've influenced many bands following their emergence in 1987 when they played at CBGBs. Further these points. Indy Cindy. Probably just as good as Doolittle. If they're as rubbishas Logan claims they are why did Bowie cover Cactus on his album Heathen!!!

Posted by Terence Garrod on Thursday, 03/5/2020 @ 21:43pm

If these guys don't get in, there shouldn't BE a hall of fame. They were integral in the transition between American punk and grunge, and took influences from several different styles including surf music. Plus, the main reason they should be in is that they're just an awesome, fun band to listen to!!

Posted by Steelydanfan on Wednesday, 01/13/2021 @ 13:15pm

Am I missing something here? These guys should have been inducted on first or second year of eligibility. Nearly all of the grunge and alternative bands were influenced by them.

Posted by StunningStocktaker on Monday, 09/6/2021 @ 11:17am

I don't think Pixies should be in the RRHOF. Husker Du, R.E.M., The Replacements, Sonic Youth etc were already out there before the Pixies. I think Jane's Addiction Influence on Alternative and with Perry's Lalapolooza inventiveness gives JA a step advantage over groups of the time. The Pixies didn't have a Freddie Mercury or Mick Jagger type frontman. Never enjoyed Black Francis singing. I've always liked Kim Deal. Had the band not broken up in the early 1990's, maybe Pixies would be in a better position for RRHOF. A check mark against Pixies RRHOF...You have to listen to them 3 or 4 times to understand their coolness or greatness. I think the true Legendary artists Bruce, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Stevie Wonder, U2, Whitney Houston, etc. They are instantly great from the first few lyrics and music. For some reason, Pixies have some loyal followers and a few bands influenced by them who went on to be popular in music. I would check NO on the Pixies for RRHOF. However, they might be inducted someday due to their influence on the late Kurt and Thom. Also, a younger voting body in the next 5-10 years could help them get inducted. The RRHOF stresses the importance of musical excellence as 1 of the criteria in Induction. I don't believe Pixies reach this high bar. Plenty of good bands out there but RRHOF is for the elite or premier bands. Here's a quick little exercise. Who is more deserving of the RRHOF?
1. PIXIES or PROCOL HARUM
2. PIXIES or SMASHING PUMPKINS
3. PIXIES or IRON MAIDEN
4. PIXIES or DIANA ROSS
5. PIXIES or DAVE MATTHEWS BAND (DMB)
6. PIXIES or WARREN ZEVON
7. PIXIES or JUDAS PRIEST
8. PIXIES or HUSKER DU
9. PIXIES or PHIL COLLINS
10. PIXIES or MARIAH CAREY
This I feel is a good list of candidates who are close to being inducted. Some have already been nominated. Who do you have Pixies more deserving? Have a great Labor Day!
KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 09/6/2021 @ 12:38pm

KING,

Of the artists you listed, I'd put Smashing Pumpkins, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden as more deserving of induction than the Pixies. Phil Collins is pretty close IMO. The rest would all be behind the Pixies for me, some of them significantly behind them.

Posted by Michael W. on Monday, 09/6/2021 @ 13:02pm

King....Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey more deserving than the Pixies? Are you joking? I certainly hope so.

Posted by StunningStocktaker on Monday, 09/6/2021 @ 15:17pm

KING,

1. PIXIES or PROCOL HARUM - Pixies
2. PIXIES or SMASHING PUMPKINS - Smashing Pumpkins
3. PIXIES or IRON MAIDEN - Iron Maiden
4. PIXIES or DIANA ROSS - Pixies
5. PIXIES or DAVE MATTHEWS BAND (DMB) - Pixies
6. PIXIES or WARREN ZEVON - Pixies
7. PIXIES or JUDAS PRIEST - Judas Priest
8. PIXIES or HUSKER DU - Pixies
9. PIXIES or PHIL COLLINS - Pixies
10. PIXIES or MARIAH CAREY - Pixies

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 09/7/2021 @ 07:35am

King

1. Pixies
2. Smashing Pumpkins
3. Pixies
4. Diana Ross
5. Pixies
6. Pixies
7. Judas Priest
8. Pixies
9. Pixies
10. Pixies

Posted by Jordan Einstein on Tuesday, 09/7/2021 @ 13:31pm

KING,

I don't know why you have a hard on hate for Pixies, but I will do your questionnaire.

Pixies
Smashing Pumpkins
Iron Maiden
Pixies
Pixies
Pixies
Judas Priest
Pixies
Pixies
Pixies

Posted by Plebeian on Tuesday, 09/7/2021 @ 20:39pm

Pixies above all the others. That was easy.

Posted by MichaelEU on Tuesday, 09/7/2021 @ 22:16pm

Hipsters being sheeple have nothing to do with whether music is good Zach.Many 80s alt rock bands were influential and innovative regardless of whether a hipster beat you up once. E

Posted by David W Richman on Wednesday, 02/9/2022 @ 11:25am

Pixies have been influential to probably 85% of any rock band since 1992, whether anybody says so or not. Joseph Alberto Santiago is an incredibly underrated guitarist who rocks harder now than any current airplay receiving guitarist now, David Lovering keeps a beat like the late great Charlie Watts, Kim Deal was and IS an inspiration to many women bassists, as is the bands current bassist, Paz Lenchantin is, and Charles, Frank, master of verbiage & strange lyrics is a GENIUS. HOW IS THIS BAND NOT in the r&r hall of Fame?!!! Their music has been used over & over again in movies, tv, commercials,etc. I hope they get paid for that, but c'mon - give them the love they deserve!

Posted by Jennifer Keith on Friday, 03/18/2022 @ 20:43pm

I saw the comment that the Pixies wear their influence on their sleeves. This is just my interpretation. (I've been a fan for over 20 yrs)

These are the Pixies influences I could tell:

Husker Du: harder punk rock guitar noise undercurrents
Jesus and Mary Chain: guitar tone, pop drum and echo chamber effects
Elvis Costello: spacing and phrasing
Peter Paul and Mary: this is probably more from an idea of an anthemic music with male and female harmonies (not literal influence)
Velvet Underground: experimentation, texturing, dissonance, storytelling
Link Wray: Surf and Western guitar

While it's possible to hear all these influences, the music goes much further, especially in the juxtaposition and texturing of noise and melodic elements, punctuated with acoustic guitar, staccato vocals and drumbeat, not to mention screaming/singing, surrealist and taboo lyrics, and occasional Spanish guitar.

Who have they influenced? So many bands such as Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, Cage the Elephant and more, but again none sound directly like the Pixies either.

Will they be in the Hall of Fame eventually is anyones guess but they are definitely their own band. Personally I feel their 1986-92 music is timeless and worthy of inclusion, regardless of if they make anything as good ever again.

Posted by Will on Monday, 04/4/2022 @ 22:00pm

I think Pixies will make it in as performers but, with the Beck nomination, am very curious how the Hall handles American indie rock of the 80s and 90s due to the limited commercial success of key players. Sonic Youth seem destined to go in as an Early Influence but beyond Pixies it's hard to see anyone from the US going in as a performer, maybe Pavement, Black Flag, Wilco, Sleater-Kinney, and Flaming Lips (but the later three are more linked with the 2000s when indie rock became mainstream).

Folks like Robert Pollard, Stephin Merritt, Michael Gira, Jeff Mangum, and Kathleen Hanna don't really have paths with their most popular bands. Ian MacKaye and Steve Albini are as important to modern rock as anyone else but also have no real avenue to entry. Curious if the Hall actually starts inducting these types in side categories soon because White Stripes, Bright Eyes, Sufjan Stevens, Strokes, Arcade Fire, and The Killers are coming up very soon and Modest Mouse can already enter.

Posted by mat r on Tuesday, 04/5/2022 @ 00:41am

Mat R,

I think Beck being nominated this year seems like an early sign for alternative/indie bands including Pixies up for consideration. They ✔ everything needed for induction, maybe it could happen in the next few years & when they get nominated, it's very likely they're going to be FYN inductee since the voting committee would go for the acts that have more influence & would even likely to show up & perform.

As for Sonic Youth, I would also like to see them being nominated as performers but you're on point for their induction in EI Category same could be said for Black Flag. Others you mentioned like Wilco, Pavement & Flaming Lips would likely be inducted through AME since they have influence on their peers rather than a general public.

Just my thoughts.

Posted by Jordan Einstein on Tuesday, 04/5/2022 @ 03:44am

Jordan Einstein

Yea it's a curious situation cause since they inducted Foo Fighters seemingly for "keeping the spirit of rock alive" then you'd assumed they'd have a similar mindset for The White Stripes in 2024 (especially since they're a more interesting band, Meg seems like a spiritual successor to Mo Tucker, and Jack is kinda of the last "rock star" and pretty much the king of the vinyl revival) and since the hall seems to have issues with lanes are they actually gonna induct them before like Pixies, Pavement, and Sonic Youth are even on a ballot.

They've been goodish on the UK indie from and Beck and Bad Brains are good starts on nominations (I guess to an extent you can count REM and Nirvana as the building blocks) but so many of the key bands aren't going to do well on the ballot (imagine Gene Simmons or Ann Wilson, who definitely vote, looking at the ballot and being like what the hell is Neutral Milk Hotel and listening to In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and being repulsed by "Semen stains the mountain tops, Semen stains the mountain tops" and googling "who is Neutral Milk Hotel" reading blogs about how Jeff Mangum went back in time to save and eventually marry Anne Frank - they'd hate it so much)

Like with how bad Beck seems to be doing atm, I really don't see them nominating most of these acts and I wonder if they're actually gonna just side door them.

Posted by mat r on Tuesday, 04/5/2022 @ 07:40am

Jordan Einstein and Mat R,

I don't think you should easily dismiss a certain act just cause they aren't popular or don't get in on the first to third try. Plus backdooring them will create huge problem. Like have a little faith in them getting in at least properly. Solving all their problems by backdooring will do nothing. It being a cowardice move IMO. Pixies, Sonic Youth, Pavement, and even Beck have huge chances. It's fine just be patience.

Posted by Plebeian on Tuesday, 04/5/2022 @ 10:02am

Plebeian

Those 4 (beck, sonic youth, pixies, pavement) yes (also black flag and maybe fugazi) but a Magnetic Fields, a Big Black, a Guided by Voices, a Bikini Kill, a Swans, a Daniel Johnston not so much. Like they're incredibly influential but they're left of Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits when it comes to style.

With Big Black we're talking about a band that is heavier than any metal band and possibly the most antagonistic band the hall might consider. They're an incredibly weak candidate because of that antagonism but Steve Albini is the leader and without him alt rock is very different.

I mention NMH because they're a band that sold very few records, is borderline outsider music, with no real high profile members, that recorded only 2 albums and one of those albums is incredibly important, maybe more important to the indie sound than any beck album. How does the hall address that? I don't know

Posted by Mat r on Tuesday, 04/5/2022 @ 10:46am

Doggerel just came out. Not my favorite but not bad. Some of the best songs ever written were in the years 1986-90 (or so) by the Pixies and the hall of fame isn't just a measure of Grammies won. In some measure it needs to be about songs that have staying power with age and carry weight with other musicians (the first four albums and possibly head carrier are that)… The later stuff is not bad, in fact is quite good (if any other band was writing it) but it's way more polished and technically proficient, less experimental, less full of joy, and devil may care. If joy sounds a strange way to describe it, listen to "Digging for Fire" "Wave of Mutilation" "Bone Machine" or "Break my Body": the feeling is the light that shines through despite those dark lyrics/circumstances. Maybe joy is the wrong word but it's clear they're having fun! My hope is for one more edgy joyful masterpiece. Maybe a Rick Rubin or Steve Albini could get it out of them. Just kidding, they're still really good! ;) The rock hall would be lucky to have them.

Posted by Will K on Sunday, 10/16/2022 @ 22:47pm

I was just playing a Pixies albums and thinking so much garbage has gotten into the hall of fame but the Pixies hasn't and they're thinking of Phil Collins he has had enough over rated ( solo artist ) praising ... He made it with Genesis and if it wasn't for Peter Gabriel who isn't in ... There would be no Phil Collins... And The Smashing Pumpkins are the worst band ever ... What are you thinking Guns and Roses next there even worse ... Nirvana got in exactly on their 25th which Pixies should of been in already to tell you the truth ... Dave Mathews sucks also .. Phish should get in instead of that crap ...

Posted by Rock and Roll Fame Sucks on Monday, 03/13/2023 @ 15:04pm

I think Pixies almost have no chance to be inducted in performer in the next 3-5 years even if they are nominated. But they will be shoe-in if they are nominated around 2030. At that time, a ton of young voters will join the vote body, Pixies will be voted easily. Pixies do not resonate with old voters who are still big parts of voting body, but they are still relevant in young people, their spotify listening numbers prove that.

Posted by power on Saturday, 07/15/2023 @ 08:25am