Auckland Town Hall

The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1986. The original lineup included Black Francis (vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, vocals), and David Lovering (drums). Their music incorporates elements of punk rock and surf rock, and is characterized by dynamic "loud-quiet-loud" shifts and distinctive song structures. Francis served as the primary songwriter, with lyrics that often explored surreal and offbeat subjects such as extraterrestrials, incest, and biblical violence. The band released their debut mini-LP, Come On Pilgrim, in 1987, followed by the albums Surfer Rosa (1988), Doolittle (1989), Bossanova (1990), and Trompe le Monde (1991). They disbanded in 1993. While achieving modest success in the United States, they experienced greater popularity in the United Kingdom and Europe. Their sound influenced a range of bands, including Nirvana, Radiohead, Modest Mouse, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Weezer. The Pixies reunited in 2004, leading to extensive touring. Kim Deal left the band in 2012 and was replaced by Kim Shattuck for their 2013 tour, who was later succeeded by Paz Lenchantin, who became a full member in 2016.