-= Frank Black Forum =-
-= Frank Black Forum =-
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Members | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Frank Black Chat
 Here Comes Your Subbacultcha
 Bands You Think Are Better Than The Pixies
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3176 Posts

Posted - 03/05/2022 :  19:28:58  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
In your opinion, are the Pixies the single best band bar none?

Is there anyone better than they?

Who comes close?

I'm not talking about popular consensus, I'm asking about your personal feelings.

For me, the only band I would nominate would be Ween. I've been listening / seeing both bands since the early 90s, and it's hard to pick a number one, but Ween would be it if I had to. Every studio album is solid and can be listened to over and over, and their live shows are off the charts. And they've got so much unreleased stuff that you can find out there that there's always something new to get into. (And their satellite efforts are also terrific but it would be a different discussion to put up all of FBF's canon, I would have to reevaluate that).

I think there are some forum members on here who think that FB&theC's are better than the Pixies, even better than 1.0. I respect that but I don't feel that way.

Feel free to chime in, I'm curious to hear what people say. And as always, this is just a friendly discussion and no one is right or wrong necessarily, just having an interesting discussion I hope.

billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6234 Posts

Posted - 03/07/2022 :  10:30:57  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
GBV

---------------------------
BF: Mag ik Engels spreken?
Go to Top of Page

billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6234 Posts

Posted - 03/07/2022 :  10:31:29  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
But honestly all my favorite bands are no. 1 from time to time

---------------------------
BF: Mag ik Engels spreken?
Go to Top of Page

Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3176 Posts

Posted - 03/07/2022 :  18:10:48  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
GBV, huh?

I will have to check them out more, thank you Mr. Goodman
Go to Top of Page

Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
1122 Posts

Posted - 03/08/2022 :  04:58:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The Gun Club. Maybe not better than but as good.
Go to Top of Page

billgoodman
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

Netherlands
6234 Posts

Posted - 03/08/2022 :  12:50:08  Show Profile  Click to see billgoodman's MSN Messenger address  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Bedbug

GBV, huh?

I will have to check them out more, thank you Mr. Goodman



30+ albums, 100 if you count side projects.
It's all good, not always great, most of the time brilliant.



---------------------------
BF: Mag ik Engels spreken?
Go to Top of Page

Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =

USA
977 Posts

Posted - 03/08/2022 :  16:31:19  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
My favorite bands I like more than the Pixies:

They Might Be Giants
The Rheostatics
XTC

Maybe: Talking Heads, The Smiths

But to be honest, much of this is apples and oranges.
Go to Top of Page

Bedbug
> Teenager of the Year <

3176 Posts

Posted - 03/09/2022 :  08:54:28  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot

My favorite bands I like more than the Pixies:

They Might Be Giants
The Rheostatics
XTC

Maybe: Talking Heads, The Smiths

But to be honest, much of this is apples and oranges.



I suppose if we were to merge the "Bands that are exactly like the Pixies thread" with the "bands that are better than the Pixies" thread then we could have applies to applies
Go to Top of Page

Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1025 Posts

Posted - 03/10/2022 :  11:18:54  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Off the top of my head:

The Beatles
The Velvet Underground
Radiohead
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Go to Top of Page

johnnyribcage
* Dog in the Sand *

USA
1301 Posts

Posted - 03/16/2022 :  14:27:21  Show Profile  Visit johnnyribcage's Homepage  Reply with Quote
It’s pretty difficult for me to rank bands in terms of being “better” than others. There are so many things to grade on and all the subjectivity. I could try to rank on a criteria like “best songwriting” “most number of great albums” or “most whatever…” it’s an exercise I don’t have much interest in. However I can name several bands that I LIKE as much as the Pixies, and I would need to lump Pixies and all things Frank Black together because in my mind it’s all one in the same. It’s all one continuum from my perspective.

Bands / artists I like as much as Pixies/FBF (not comprehensive because there are a lot - this is off the top of my head)
- King Crimson
- Jethro Tull
- Beach Boys
- The Band
- Bob Dylan
- Soundgarden
- Neil Young
- Prince
- Miles Davis
- Tom Waits
- Ween
- Pink Floyd
- XTC
- Dire Straits / Mark Knopfler
- Mahavishnu Orchestra
- ZZ Top

Bands / artists I PROBABLY like more than Pixies/FBF, Gun to my head…
- Grateful Dead
- The Beatles
- Phish
- … might edit and add a couple more



I had a bad reaction to your public hobby writings.
Go to Top of Page

Brank_Flack
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1025 Posts

Posted - 03/17/2022 :  07:48:49  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If we're including songwriters I would add Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young as well (which I'm sure Charles would understand being a fan of all three!).
Go to Top of Page

two reelers
* Dog in the Sand *

Austria
1039 Posts

Posted - 04/02/2022 :  00:27:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Husker Du, in terms of playing and performing as a band.

The only thing that make me feel Pixies are better is watching their Brixton 1991 performance.

I joined the cult of Souled American / 'cause they are a damn' fine band
Go to Top of Page

Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *

1037 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2022 :  09:59:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.

But if anyone asks me for my favorite band, it's PJ. I do enjoy recommending Pixies/Fb to anyone whose not familiar, particularly the Catholics albums.

As far as other live bands go, I think Zeppelin ranks number 2 behind PJ; once one cuts out the violin bow bullshit and the fifteen to twenty minute drum solo. A twenty minute plus No Quarter or thirty minute Dazed & Confused isn't for everyone but man, what a musical journey.

Pj's #1 for me.

cheers
Go to Top of Page

pot
> Teenager of the Year <

Iceland
3910 Posts

Posted - 04/16/2022 :  16:49:34  Show Profile  Visit pot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm
As far as other live bands go, I think Zeppelin ranks number 2 behind PJ; once one cuts out the violin bow bullshit and the fifteen to twenty minute drum solo. A twenty minute plus No Quarter or thirty minute Dazed & Confused isn't for everyone but man, what a musical journey.



Whenever I take the time to go back and listen to a bit of old Led Zep again I'm always refreshed by just how amazing a band they really were. When this thread came up they were one of the bands I was thinking about maybe could be better than the Pixies?
Go to Top of Page

Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *

1037 Posts

Posted - 04/18/2022 :  16:46:38  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Went through a Husker Du phase years ago. I think my favorite remains Zen Arcade. After a while the songwriting didn't work for me and I think Bob Mould just over sings; let the music have some space why-dontcha?

The Pixies discography wipes the floor with Zeppelin; they're quite good and one of the biggest, earliest rock bands but album-by-album Pixies take it.

In my opinion.
Go to Top of Page

Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =

USA
977 Posts

Posted - 04/18/2022 :  22:48:51  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm

Went through a Husker Du phase years ago. I think my favorite remains Zen Arcade. After a while the songwriting didn't work for me and I think Bob Mould just over sings; let the music have some space why-dontcha?



This is an interesting criticism because it really applies to my own music too. The reason is because before having a band I was a solo guy for many years. So the songs weren't written with any jamming or instrumental sections in mind because it's just me and a guitar. I'm not a lead solo dude. So when I got a band we just did the songs as is and it's my voice on top of everything 95% of the time.

So one thing a friend of mine said once about a song of mine he really liked was to let it breathe, because it's so moody and somber, he's like "it's over in like 2 minutes, I want to zone out to it!" So for the album version (out soon) I copy and pasted the drums and bass to make an instrumental section to just chill out on top of.

In general I'm trying more and more to not just have me singing be on top of everything all the time. It's great advice for songwriting and for a band. It's about the music!
Go to Top of Page

Arm Arm Arm
* Dog in the Sand *

1037 Posts

Posted - 04/19/2022 :  07:40:56  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This was a gradual realization for me; I sometimes think that singing style was part of the hardcore scene the band emerged from/was a part of. It just became overkill for me. Haven't listened to Zen Arcade in years, may give it a listen see how it holds up.

Good luck with your songwriting!
Go to Top of Page

Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =

USA
977 Posts

Posted - 04/19/2022 :  08:17:00  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
If I haven't figured it out after over 300 songs, I'm hopeless!
Go to Top of Page

darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<

USA
5454 Posts

Posted - 04/21/2022 :  20:21:33  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Props to Gun Club.
Go to Top of Page

Troubles A Foot
= Cult of Ray =

USA
977 Posts

Posted - 06/13/2022 :  13:38:09  Show Profile  Visit Troubles A Foot's Homepage  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm

Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.

Pj's #1 for me.



You may be interested to know Pearl Jam and Pixies are playing a show together!

https://www.facebook.com/joey.santiago.56/posts/10227880481534878
Go to Top of Page

hammerhands
* Dog in the Sand *

Canada
1594 Posts

Posted - 06/14/2022 :  06:46:29  Show Profile  Visit hammerhands's Homepage  Reply with Quote
Pixies/FB are up there.

I think Jane's Addiction had a flawless album in Ritual de lo Habitual.

NoMeansNo had a lot of good albums.
Go to Top of Page

Sprite
* Dog in the Sand *

1340 Posts

Posted - 06/14/2022 :  08:33:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Troubles A Foot

quote:
Originally posted by Arm Arm Arm

Pearl Jam. They're the only band I'd put above Pixies/Fb/Catholics etc. And it's darn close. I think on an album-by-album basis Fb is far ahead in terms of quality. Certainly more prolific. But Pj's music resonates with me on a deep level; their concerts put them over the top.

Pj's #1 for me.



You may be interested to know Pearl Jam and Pixies are playing a show together!

https://www.facebook.com/joey.santiago.56/posts/10227880481534878



Is that connected with this? (I don't have facebook)

https://twitter.com/PIXIES/status/1535313918012301312?s=20&t=rp0QnXu5v5QGob9Ha7ngAQ

It's a pop-up Pearl Jam/Pixies shop just before their show in Hyde Park. I am not going to the show I might pop along to the shop to see what's going on.

Go to Top of Page

Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *

United Kingdom
1122 Posts

Posted - 06/14/2022 :  13:09:00  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Wipers first few albums were amazing, hard to say if better but I'd put them up there.
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
-= Frank Black Forum =- © 2002-2020 Frank Black Fans, Inc. Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000