The Pixies have finally given their seal of approval to Dave Grohl's glowing verdict that their iconic debut album, 'Surfer Rosa', is "the perfect record". Spilling the beans backstage at Madrid's Mad Cool festival, Joey Santiago and David Lovering revealed they're in total agreement with Foo Fighters frontman's recent praise on BBC Radio 6Music. When asked if Grohl had got it spot-on, Santiago shot back with a resounding "I have to agree", while Lovering echoed the sentiment with a chuckle, saying "I agree – it's my favourite one".
With their nod of approval, it seems the Pixies are now officially in Grohl's corner. But what did he get so right about 'Surfer Rosa'? For starters, he lauded Steve Albini's production work as a game-changer, highlighting its influence on the album's raw sound. Grohl also praised Black Francis's enigmatic lyrics, which he described as an intriguing blend of abstract intellectualism and absurdity.
The masterful interplay between Francis's vocals and Kim Deal's harmonies was another key aspect singled out by Grohl for praise – a dynamic that defined the band's unique sound at the time. As the Pixies' guitarist continued to bask in the glory of Grohl's endorsement, he couldn't resist returning the favour by naming his own "perfect" Foo Fighters record: 1997's 'The Colour and the Shape'. Santiago praised its "good sonics" and production by Gil Norton – a nod to the band's ability to craft albums that truly resonate.
With their creative juices still flowing, Pixies have an exciting future ahead. Backstage in Madrid, Joey Santiago confirmed they're consistently working on new material, following their well-established process. And after a planned break in October, the band plans to reconvene and develop even more songs – something that's been in the pipeline since last year, when Santiago mentioned working with producer Tom Dalgety on demos for their 2024 album 'The Night The Zombies Came'.
So there you have it – from the Pixies' lips themselves: Grohl got 'Surfer Rosa' spot-on. And as for their own perfect record? It's a tie between their debut and the Foo Fighters' classic.