![]() Cover illustration of the UK edition | |
Author | Josh Frank Caryn Ganz |
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Cover artist | Steven Appleby |
Country | United States United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Publisher | Virgin Books (UK) St. Martin's Griffin (US) |
Publication date | 2005, 2006 |
Media type | Print (Paperback) |
Pages | 336 |
ISBN | 0-7535-1023-5 |
OCLC | 60741140 |
Fool the World: The Oral History of a Band Called Pixies is a 2005 book by Josh Frank and Caryn Ganz about the American alternative rock band Pixies. The book, written as an oral history, covers the career of the band from their inception in 1985, to their breakup in 1993 and eventual reunion in 2004. Fool the World features interviews and recollections from a range of characters involved with the band, including Surfer Rosa producer Steve Albini, Kim Deal's twin sister Kelley Deal and 4AD co-founder Ivo Watts-Russell, as well as each member of the band.
The book's name, Fool the World, is the English translation of the title of Pixies' 1991 album, Trompe le Monde . It is published by Virgin Books in the United Kingdom and St. Martin's Griffin in the United States. The book's foreword is written by Chas Banks, Pixies' European tour manager. The book includes a selected discography, along with a "Fun Facts" chapter, which includes information about references to Pixies in popular culture and released Pixies covers.
Fool the World was originally written as a musical by Frank, until it was suggested that he compile all his material into "one big, fat book". [1] As a result, sections of the book are named after musical theatre terms, such as "Cast of Characters", "Acts" and "Encore". The book is split into three acts: "Boston", "U.S. vs. UK" and "Le Monde", concluding with an "encore".
Contains the "Cast of Characters" (a list of people interviewed for the book), an introduction by author Josh Frank and foreword by Pixies' European tour manager Chas Banks.
Discusses the band members' early lives, the formulation of the band in 1985 and their first recordings in 1987 which formed the basis of their first release, known as "The Purple Tape" (1987), and its abridged counterpart, Come On Pilgrim (1987).
Covers the band's signing with 4AD Records, as well as the recording and release of the albums Surfer Rosa (1988), Doolittle (1989) and Bossanova (1990).
Named after Pixies' 1991 album Trompe le Monde, this section explores the recording and release of that album, their subsequent tour supporting U2 in 1992, the breakup of the band and intervening years prior to the reunion.
The book finishes with chapters on the band's 2004 reunion and lasting impact, and an epilogue that serves as an update on the people interviewed in the book. A selected discography and "Fun Facts" appendix is also included.
This is a partial selection of the people interviewed for the book: [2]
The Pixies are an American alternative rock band formed in 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts. Until 2013, the band comprised Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Kim Deal and David Lovering (drums). The band disbanded acrimoniously in 1993 but reunited in 2004. After Deal left in 2013, the Pixies hired Kim Shattuck as a touring bassist; she was replaced that year by Paz Lenchantin, who became a permanent member in 2016.
The Breeders are an American alternative rock band based in Dayton, Ohio, consisting of members Kim Deal, her twin sister Kelley Deal, Josephine Wiggs and Jim Macpherson (drums).
Charles Thompson IV is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman of the alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black. After releasing two albums with record label 4AD and one with American Recordings, he left the label and formed a new band, Frank Black and the Catholics. He re-adopted the name Black Francis in 2007.
Kimberley Ann Deal is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She was bassist and co-vocalist in the alternative rock band Pixies, before forming the Breeders in 1989.
Doolittle is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in April 1989 on 4AD. Doolittle was the Pixies' first international release, with Elektra Records as the album's distributor in the United States and PolyGram in Canada.
Surfer Rosa is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released in March 1988 on the British label 4AD. It was produced by Steve Albini. Surfer Rosa contains many of the elements of Pixies' earlier output, including Spanish lyrics and references to Puerto Rico. It includes references to mutilation and voyeurism alongside experimental recording techniques and a distinctive drum sound.
Bossanova is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies. It was released on August 13, 1990 by English independent record label 4AD in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States. Because of 4AD's independent status, major label Elektra handled distribution in the U.S.
Come On Pilgrim is the debut mini-LP release by the American alternative rock band Pixies. Produced by Gary Smith, the album was released in September 1987 by 4AD.
Joseph Alberto Santiago is a Filipino-American guitarist and composer. Active since 1986, Santiago is best known as the lead guitarist for the American alternative rock band Pixies. His signature style changed the sound of alt-rock and has served as a major influence in music to this day. After the band's breakup in 1993, Santiago produced musical scores for film and television documentaries, and he formed The Martinis with his ex-wife, Linda Mallari. He also contributed to albums by Charles Douglas and former Pixies band-mate Frank Black. Santiago resumed his role as the Pixies' lead guitarist when they reunited in 2004.
Trompe le Monde is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band Pixies, released on September 23, 1991 on 4AD in the United Kingdom and on September 24, 1991 on Elektra Records in the United States. Recorded in Burbank, California, Paris and London, the album was produced by Gil Norton, and was Pixies' final studio album before their subsequent break-up two years later. Trompe le Monde is the last album to feature founding bass guitarist Kim Deal.
David Lovering is an American musician and magician. He is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band Pixies, which he joined in 1986. After the band's breakup in 1993, Lovering drummed with several other acts, including The Martinis, Cracker, Nitzer Ebb and Tanya Donelly. He also pursued a magic career as the Scientific Phenomenalist, performing scientific and physics-based experiments on stage. When the Pixies reunited in 2004, Lovering returned as the band's drummer.
Pixies is an EP by the American alternative rock band of the same name, released in 2002 by SpinART Records in the U.S., Cooking Vinyl in the UK and Sonic Unyon in Canada. It consists of the remaining songs from the band's original 17-track demo tape, eight songs of which were released in 1987 as the band's debut, Come On Pilgrim. All 17 songs were recorded at Fort Apache Studios in March 1987 by Gary Smith.
Pod is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band the Breeders, released by 4AD records on May 29, 1990. Engineered by Steve Albini, the album features band leader Kim Deal on vocals and guitar, Josephine Wiggs on bass, Britt Walford on drums, and Tanya Donelly on guitar. Albini's production prioritized sound over technical accomplishment; the final takes favor the band's spontaneous live "in studio" performances.
Frank Black is the debut solo album by American alternative rock musician Frank Black. The album was recorded in 1992 and released on March 8, 1993 via 4AD and Elektra Records, after the breakup of Black's band the Pixies.
"Here Comes Your Man" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, written and sung by the band's frontman Black Francis. Produced by Gil Norton, it was released as the second single from the group's second album Doolittle in June 1989.
"Gigantic" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, co-written by bassist Kim Deal and lead vocalist/guitarist Black Francis. The song appeared on the band's first full-length studio album, Surfer Rosa, released in 1988. One of the longest songs on the album, "Gigantic" was released as the band's first single later that year.
"Bam Thwok" is a download-only single by the American alternative rock band the Pixies. Written and sung by bassist Kim Deal, the song was released exclusively through the iTunes Store on June 15, 2004. Upon its release, "Bam Thwok" was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the first release of the UK Download Chart. The song was the band's first recording since Trompe le Monde (1991).
"Cactus" is a song by the American alternative rock band Pixies, and is the eighth track on their 1988 album Surfer Rosa. It was written and sung by the band's frontman Black Francis and produced by Steve Albini.
The discography of Pixies, an American alternative rock band, includes seven studio albums, twelve singles, five compilations, one mini-LP, and three EPs as of September 2016.
Q Division Studios is a recording studio located in Somerville, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1986, Q Division was originally located at 443 Albany Street in Boston, but moved to its current two-studio facility in 2000. Bands that have recorded at Q Division include Pixies, who recorded their debut album Surfer Rosa at the studio.