Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
The Pixies have confirmed that their guitarist Joey Santiago has entered a minimum 30-day rehabilitation program to address his drug and alcohol problems.
Collectively the band is very positive and supportive about the decision Santiago has made in favor of his mental and physical health. Drummer David Lovering said “This is the best thing that Joey could have done, and we’re very proud that he’s taken this step”. He asks that “fans support Joey while he is on this road to recovery”.
The band has plans to release their latest forthcoming album Head Carrier on September 30th, and while the band has made no implications that the album will be delayed by Santiago’s temporary absence, they commented that some of their promotional activities in support of the album will be affected. They have confirmed that they have every intention of staying true to their UK and European tours planned for November and December of this year.
Since the bands conception in 1986 the Pixies hit the alt-rock scene like a comet, and left an impression so immense that within its depths bands like Nirvana, Weezer, and other highly influential rock bands found their inspiration. Before an extensive Hiatus, the band toured with U2 in the spring of 1992, and by then had released seven full-length album in addition to a multitude of singles and EPs under various labels including Elektra, 4AD, and Disc Live.
Their reunion in the early 2000’s was a surprise, but an unquestionably pleasant one. The band released Indie Cindy in 2004, making it their first album in over two decades. In the subsequent years the band made headline appearances at festivals, released series of singles, EPs, and albums, and even did a 20th anniversary tour for their album Doolittle in 2009/10.
With a forever unpredictable and untamed tone, the Pixies’ sound has an intangible genre that ranges from alt-rock to punk to indie to grunge, always executed beautifully but never gracefully. Their songs tend to contain random outbursts whether it be from the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Black Francis, Santiago, bassist and back-up vocalist Kim Deal, or Lovering on the drums. Some of their tracks include playful banter from the members that don’t quite fit into the song, but are only added seemingly to make you love the band even more personally.
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