10 Bands That Broke Up For Bizarre Reasons

Few bands can match the polarising, widespread, and enduring influence of Pixies. With the likes of Nirvana, Radiohead, the Smashing Pumpkins, and more all citing the alt-rock megastars as key influences, it’s no wonder why Pixies are so revered today. However, many modern fans are seemingly unaware of what caused the demise of this awe-inspiring group.

Founding members Joey Santiago and Black Francis met at university in 1983, but didn’t formally create a band together until 1986. In the search for a bass player, they placed an advert in a local newspaper and received only one respondent; Kim Deal. Despite the fact Deal had never played a bass before and arrived at the audition without one, she was accepted into the band. With the recruitment of David Lovering later that year, the line-up was complete. 

Things were going well for Pixies until it became apparent to Francis who the fan favourite was. Even in the early 90s, a female bassist was a relative rarity, meaning Deal gained almost magnetic media attention that was bolstered by her skill as a performer and songwriter. Kurt Cobain stating that the Kim Deal-written ‘Gigantic’ was his favourite Pixies song in 1992 may have been the final jealousy-tainted straw for Black Francis. Envious of her popularity, Francis blocked Deal from having any creative input on the band's final albums. His sour grapes response wasn’t well received, and a year later Francis disbanded Pixies via a fax message to the other members.