SmartLess "Pixies"
10 snips
Jan 19, 2026 
Join Black Francis, the influential frontman of the Pixies, and lead guitarist Joey Santiago as they dive into their musical journey. They share hilarious tales of dorm life and band dynamics at UMass Amherst. Discover the origins of their iconic song 'Where Is My Mind?' and the unexpected ways it resonated worldwide. They reflect on timeless influences, the power of melody versus lyrics, and the joy of performing live. Plus, hear about their memorable reunion and what keeps them excited on tour!
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Dormroom Jams Sparked The Band
- Charles and Joey met as roommates at UMass Amherst and started playing guitars together casually.
- Their dorm jams and shared suite life organically led them to form a band rather than a deliberate plan.
A Letter That Restarted Things
- Charles wrote a letter to Joey from Puerto Rico proposing they meet in Boston to finally start the band.
- Joey later found and kept that letter, which became a tangible artifact of their decision to get serious.
Bootstrapping Gigs And Rehearsals
- The band learned the logistics of gigging by timing sets and figuring out who to contact at venues like the Ratskeller.
- They hustled through small shows, tape handoffs, and paying for rehearsal spaces despite poor conditions.