Pixies

Known for their distinctive “loud-quiet-loud” dynamics, the Pixies blended punk and surf rock influences with melodic yet abrasive songwriting. Black Francis’s cryptic lyrics, often exploring offbeat subjects like UFOs and surrealism, became a hallmark of their sound.

The band’s impact on the alternative rock scene is undeniable. Though they disbanded in 1993, just before the genre’s mainstream explosion, their influence was cemented by artists like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, who openly acknowledged their debt to the Pixies.

The band has continued to evolve over time but maintained their signature sound. On October 25, 2024, the Pixies released their ninth full-length studio album, The Night the Zombies Came, produced by Tom Dalgety, who also worked on their previous three studio albums.