Music
15 May 14

Joey Santiago on Pixies' legacy & Deal departure

In the latest issue of Hot Press, Pixies' guitarist Joey Santiago also discusses departure of Deal's replacement Kim Shattuck, defends the mixed reviews of their comeback material, and ponders the decision to break up on the precipice of the explosion of the grunge scene…

Ahead of their date with Marlay Park next month, the Pixies' guitar maestro covers it all in an in-depth interview with Hot Press' Ed Power for the latest issue, in shops today.
Former bassist Kim Deal's 2013 departure remains the hottest topic surrounding the Boston outfit.
“I really don't have time to miss her," says Joey Santiago. "We got right back on the road and told ourselves 'okay we have to prove it – now that she's gone we have to make it work. We are still the Pixies'. We love her, love what she brought. The point is that this is the only musical endeavour we want to be in. We came back with fire.”

As the Pixies continue their promotional tour for the band's first LP since 1991, Indie Cindy, they are undoubtedly a more revered act than they were when they initially broke up, thanks in part to the praise heaped on them from the likes of Radiohead and Nirvana. Santiago explains how Kurt Cobain's endorsement of them in the '90s reflects as much on their influences as it does them.

“He mentioned us: he could just as easily have said Velvet Underground, Husker Du... without those guys there wouldn't have been an 'us' either. We filter that into our sound. But it's true: when we hit the mark there was a greatness.”

Read the full interview in the latest issue of Hot Press, in shops today.