The Pixies or The Smiths?

Nailz

These past few days I've been having this mental battle with myself over who my definite definite favourite Alt/Indie band is from an extensive list including many great bands from over multiple decades and I managed to wiggle it down to two. And these were the Pixies and The Smiths. Now I've already made my mind up on this one, I'm not going to say who it is but I'm sure I'm okay with my choice.

But I want to see what the outcome would be if I asked the fine folks of the Alt&Indie forum to share their opinion and who is the favourite of the two. Not that it'll effect me if the majority of you chose the the opposite option to mine.

So, the Pixies or The Smiths? Discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BQFfjeco7g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLUKdfIrH1U

Android 666

Nailz wrote: »

definite definite favourite Alt/Indie band
So, the Pixies or The Smiths? Discuss.

Neither. It has to be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugY9CwhfzE

or:

seanybiker

Pixies for me. Never got into the Smith's

JerryHandbag

The Smiths, but only just. Johnny Marrs guitar playing swings it for me, although I prefer Frank Black as a vocalist.

Nailz

Android 666 wrote: »

Neither. It has to be:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hugY9CwhfzE

or:

I wasn't asking for other people's favourite Alt/Indie band, just to choose between the two. Your input is valued never the less.

Can a mod a poll to this please, Internet conveniently ****ed up while setting one up, thank you.

Miguel_Sanchez

Poll added.

Sardonicat

As someone who remembers when these two bands were new, I'm gonna go with The Pixies.

Not really comparable but probably the two most influential bands of the 80s.
The Pixies will always sound fresh, though. The Smiths sound like the 80s to me. Not neccesarily a bad thing, mind.

dx22

Both great but the smiths are one of the definitive bands of all time never mind in the alt/indie genre...imo

rcaz

I reckon Pixies... More interesting stuff for me. But for individual musicians that stick out, it's hard to beat Johnny Marr. Morrissey's a bit of a dealbreaker for me.

Sardonicat wrote: »

Not really comparable but probably the two most influential bands of the 80s.

Not to go too far off-topic, but do Talking Heads not count? Way more notable for me.

Kid V

My brain says The Smiths but my heart says The Pixies so i guess it has to be The Pixies

Sad Professor

The Pixies. I like The Smiths as well, but I don't really listen to them anymore, where as I can still listen to The Pixies as if they were new. They probably just had a bigger influence on me as well.

Android 666

Nailz wrote: »

I wasn't asking for other people's favourite Alt/Indie band, just to choose between the two. Your input is valued never the less.

Can a mod a poll to this please, Internet conveniently ****ed up while setting one up, thank you.

But you hold those bands up as the 2 definite alternative acts which I couldn't agree with. I enjoy both the bands you mentioned to varying degrees but in terms of overall influence I reckon it's going to be the Velvet Underground or the Fall. If I'm going to pick one from those two acts in terms of the influence they had I'd go with probably the Pixies. The Pixies' quiet loud dynamic begat Nirvana which begat a raft of bad copyists... hmm, actually that's not a great legacy.

And the Smiths? The Smiths begat... Belle and Sebestian and ...?

Actually more confused now...

nobby grande

Got to be the Pixies for me. Two seminal bands but i like the variation of styles the Pixies incorporated. I also like the fact that it was angry music but not melancholy.
Both bands had great senses of style, humour and originality but the Pixies were more relevant to me than the smiths.

Oink

well, if we're ruling out the velvet and looking at the smiths and the pixies, it'll have to be the pixies.

I'm a fan of both, but there's more pixies songs etched in my brain than the smiths'

Monkey gone to Heaven runs in my blood.

Dudess

The Smiths, but only by a tiny margin. Both bands were highly original, but The Smiths moreso I think.

deisedude

Has to be Pixies for me. Can still remember my first time listening to Doolittle and being blown away

Love the Smiths too though

homerun_homer

Pixies. I know their whole back catalogue and listened obsessively for a good while and was very influenced by Joey Santiago's guitar playing.

The Smiths I love but don't know if I've listened to an album fully outside of the greatest hits and various songs. Johnny Marr's guitar work is amazing to boot.

sink

I don't want to choose, I like them both. :rolleyes:












Feckit, the smiths.

rainbowtrout

Listened to both incessantly as a teenager and probably liked them equally back then, but for me the Pixies have stood the test of time far better, I still listen to the Pixies all the time, it's more a now and again thing with the Smiths although I still like them.

Gillington

The pixies have stood the test of time imo and their music doesnt sound outdated.I'll always throw on a bit of The Smiths now and then though so I'll have to go for them

cinnamon girl

I was 14 when the Smiths' first album came out and I was the hugest Smiths fan at the time...worshipped them in the way that only a teenage girl can do and I liked the Pixies too later on, but not in the same way.

But in my middle age I prefer the Pixies. Although I still do like the Smiths, they just don't hold that same meaning for me anymore.

I admit that this may have to do with my increasing dislike for Morrissey as a person, as well as never having liked his solo works. Then again I didn't like Frank Black's either!

flyswatter

There's very little between them but if I had to choose I'd say The Smiths.

Morrissey is a bit better as a lyricist and Marr is just a phenomenal musician.

Dont be at yourself

Pixies, for sure. Loud-quiet-loud aside, they have such an amazing and diverse catalogue. Their albums, b-sides, live stuff are all top-notch.

I discovered them as a teen and thought I was the only person in the world who had heard them. A few years they reformed and suddenly were the hottest band on the planet.

colster

Pixies.. no contest (for me anyway)

RichieC

Both, but the smiths if I had to choose.

SilverScreen

It was really, really, REALLY difficult to choose between the two but in the end I chose The Smiths. I find myself listening to The Smiths more than the Pixies nowdays, their music has a deeper and more melancholic feel to it than the Pixies and that's something I really look for in music recently. I feel like I can relate to The Smiths a bit more than the Pixies nowdays. I still love the Pixies and always will, they were my gateway to the american indie/alternative rock scene of the late 80's/early-90's and I thank them for that.

arsenallegend

The smiths for me, they looked cooler for a start. The had the greatest guitarist and Frontman duo ever and Just for This Charming Man alone they are one of my top bands ever. The Pixies were great no doubt. But they only had two great albums while the Smiths never released a dud record.

Two great bandsof the 80's left of this list were The go betweens and The Stone roses (that was a album that changed things)

Mr.Whippie

gotta be pixies for me, I dont know love the smiths but pixies always fill me with child like excitement everytime they come on where as smiths remind me of teenage bad days...its raining and your current has'nt rang and dad wants you to clean your room but your lazy and spotted

flyswatter

Thinking about this more now I think the Smiths were more gifted musically but I think the Pixies make me feel happier. The Smiths are probably the most miserable band in history.

You just have to look at the titles of the songs and listen to the lyrics.

SilverScreen

flyswatter wrote: »

Thinking about this more now I think the Smiths were more gifted musically but I think the Pixies make me feel happier. The Smiths are probably the most miserable band in history.

You just have to look at the titles of the songs and listen to the lyrics.

I wouldn't say that they're the most miserable band in history, I've listened to far more miserable bands, but they can be very miserable at times. They can also be quite humorous and witty though.

JerryHandbag

flyswatter wrote: »

Thinking about this more now I think the Smiths were more gifted musically but I think the Pixies make me feel happier. The Smiths are probably the most miserable band in history.

You just have to look at the titles of the songs and listen to the lyrics.

Yeah but its a combination of dark lyrics and very poppy upbeat melodies, thats why I love The Smiths.

"Girlfriend In A Coma" - I take your point about the song titles/lyrics being quite depressing but that song just makes me wanna get up and dance!

Earthhorse

It's an odd comparison to make, even if they are amongst your favourites. Unlike the Blur vs Oasis, Nirvan or Pearl Jam type debates these bands tick distinctly different boxes and weren't really part of the same movement so to speak.

The Pixies are sort of anarchic and off kilter, often high intensity (primarily from Frank Black's vocals) but with elements of surf and country colouring many songs. The Smiths are an altogether different prospect, with Johnny Marr's guitars and Morrissey's world veiw heavily prominent on every song. Even in their similarities they are different; Frank Black's sense of humour is silly and rude whereas Morrissey's is dry and world-weary.

For me, it would have to be the Pixie's whose first three albums I love. I never really got into The Smiths.

flyswatter

Oh yeah, I do accept that there is a lot of humour, charm and wit in The Smiths music.

When you think about it though, Joy Division/New Order were a miserable band but they still had a lot of beautiful music and the recent New Order stuff from as early as the 80's through the 00's is very uplifting stuff, a lot of it, even though it still has the melancholy present.

There's definitely something miserable about how Manchester was. It used to be a cold, industrial place. I think that's one of the reasons the music is so depressing.

When bands like The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays came along and the happier New Order Stuff and all the acid house music it was a much more cultured place. It really showed in the music, it's way more hopeful and optimistic.

Hail 2 Da Chimp

Tough choice for sure but it has to be Pixies for me.

Poll is 50/50!

pickarooney

I went for The Smiths but it was a mental coin-flip really.

smokedeels

Hard call, I don't like Morrissey post-Smiths and having seen the Pixies performing live last year, so cold and business-like, both bands are a little spoilt for me.

I think I'll go for The Smiths, if only for "The Queen is Dead" which I think is the best album released between the two bands.

take everything

JerryHandbag wrote: »

Yeah but its a combination of dark lyrics and very poppy upbeat melodies, thats why I love The Smiths.

"Girlfriend In A Coma" - I take your point about the song titles/lyrics being quite depressing but that song just makes me wanna get up and dance!

The lyrics of Girlfriend in a coma aren't depressing (apologies if that's not what's implied). It's wry and tongue in cheek IMO.

JerryHandbag

take everything wrote: »

The lyrics of Girlfriend in a coma aren't depressing (apologies if that's not what's implied). It's wry and tongue in cheek IMO.

No I was just commenting on the song title. The lyrics of I Know Its Over would be a better example.

RachaelVO

HARD QUESTION... Brain hurts trying to decide... Don't like this choice

I love them both, but marginally (and very marginally) I think The Smiths just win.

Ash.J.Williams

At this point I would like to pay homage to Andy Rourke. Probably didn't have to much creative input as a whole in the smiths, but man...those are some of the most well executed, diciplined and educated bass lines I have ever heard, the man is unbelievable.....

As for the pixies...there was magic in that band that (as with the smiths) that no individual member could recreate. Frank has a unique ability to throw a few chords together and make them sound new and brilliant, throw in Joeys leads and something very special happens.. on the other side then you have kims wonderfully laid back, stoneresque bass lines combined with loverings powerhouse beats and there you go...
Saw a pixies movie recently on skyarts....very weird...Kim was herself the comedian, frank was great, David was made out to be a complete pill addict bum who was absolutely depending on the pixies reunion to get a few quid (although he was at all times in a lovable happy person) and joey came accross as very grumpy and hated every minute of being away from home...strange documentary.

If you are on Twitter start following Johhny marr....he's funny!

take everything

JerryHandbag wrote: »

No I was just commenting on the song title. The lyrics of I Know Its Over would be a better example.

Ah right.
True about "I know it's over". It's so beautiful though.

take everything

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

At this point I would like to pay homage to Andy Rourke. Probably didn't have to much creative input as a whole in the smiths, but man...those are some of the most well executed, diciplined and educated bass lines I have ever heard, the man is unbelievable.....

As for the pixies...there was magic in that band that (as with the smiths) that no individual member could recreate. Frank has a unique ability to throw a few chords together and make them sound new and brilliant, throw in Joeys leads and something very special happens.. on the other side then you have kims wonderfully laid back, stoneresque bass lines combined with loverings powerhouse beats and there you go...
Saw a pixies movie recently on skyarts....very weird...Kim was herself the comedian, frank was great, David was made out to be a complete pill addict bum who was absolutely depending on the pixies reunion to get a few quid (although he was at all times in a lovable happy person) and joey came accross as very grumpy and hated every minute of being away from home...strange documentary.

If you are on Twitter start following Johhny marr....he's funny!

These are two bands you could just wax lyrical all day about.
As you say, Santiago's meandering, otherworldly guitar, the contrast between Deal's sweet and Black's harsher vocals, Deal's assured bass, the ever-so-weird, what-is-he-on-about lyrics- just the way the whole thing comes together in this visceral way. Just talking about it, you can feel it.

In some sense one similarity, apart from being influential and iconic bands, is how well both bands worked as a group. Like the above, the marriage of Marr's guitar and Morrissey's voice is sublime and unique, something i sometimes miss on Morrissey's solo work.

maccored

pixies. cant see how thats a hard choice.

runcowboy

the Pixies for me but still love the Smiths.

old hippy

Difficult one for me. Both excellent bands of the caustic 80s fringe, both stellar songmakers and both have a loyal following.

Prob Frank's mob as Morrissey's later naive flirtations with the far right kinda put me off.

Captain Darling

My head says the Smiths but my heart is feeling the Pixies.

endabob1

Hail 2 Da Chimp wrote: »

Tough choice for sure but it has to be Pixies for me.

Poll is 50/50!

Not anymore :P

I always found the Pixies quite one dimensional, the Smiths were far more interesting and musically I think Marr is head & shoulders above anyone in the Pixies

JerryHandbag

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

If you are on Twitter start following Johhny marr....he's funny!

Just started following him, brilliant! Love that manc humour.:D

Up-n-atom!

It's like asking what you like better, chocolate or ice-cream...I want both dammit! Someone threatened to pull out my fingernails I'd probably go for the Smiths...I listen to them more and love their lyrics and find them incredibly uplifting (oddly). Songs like 'The Bomb', 'Shelia Take a Bow' just make you want to jump around singing. Objectively I think the Pixies are probably better, I adore them.

KnifeWRENCH

I never really liked the Smiths. I've just never gotten the big deal with them. Like I understand why people like them....but they just don't do anything for me.

Also, Pixies have Kim Deal. Anything with Kim Deal will get my vote ahead of a non-Kim Deal option!

KrazeeEyezKilla

It impossible to choose. They are the two best Indie bands ever. Both had fairly similar runs. Release an album a year for 4/5 years and then split up which is the best way for a band to go imo. The Smiths did have one weak album in Meat is Murder which I don't think think the Pixies had so the Pixies might be slightly ahead. If I was old enough to remember either band when they active I would have definitely prefered the Smiths. They were a better Singles band and worked better a a Pop group with their image, interviews etc.