Gigantic: The Story Of Frank Black And The Pixies

Book excerpt: The influence and importance of The Pixies cannot be overestimated. Their style of broken, furious yet melodic and exceptionally catchy punk rock blazed a trail for such vital bands as Mudhoney and Nirvana, the grunge movement and the 90s British indie-rock sound. Bossanova and Surfer Rosa have become familiar members of the canon of great rock albums, although the group's initial career was cut short by the dismissive actions of singer-songwriter Black Francis/Frank Black. John Mendelssohn's biography details the turbulent career of The Pixies and Frank Black, including personal struggles with other band members and Black's unusual and uncompromising solo work. Culminating with the group's 2004 reformation, this is the definitive story of The Pixies.