The Pixies were one of the most significant alternative rock bands of the eighties and nineties, lending influence to bands like Nirvana and Weezer. They were publicly adored by musicians like David Bowie and Thom Yorke, and yet they never really broke into commercial success. Bowie once said, "I never could get over the fact that The Pixies formed, worked and separated without America taking them to its heart or even recognising their existence for the most part."
So, considering they haven't released an album since 1991's Trompe le Monde, it's no wonder the band are cashing in on merchandise sales before the possible release of an album in 2010. Vans have just released the Pixies x Vans "Death to the Pixies" high-tops and slip-ons, not long after the release of "Minotaur", the ultimate Pixies box set. It looks to me like they've done the hard yards and now they're searching for commercial success via an easier pathway.
I love this band, but I'm sure the recent merch doesn't really cater to the majority of the people who listen to the Pixies. It'll be kids who buy the Vans because someone once told them the Pixies are cool, and I can't see the box set appealing to anyone beyond die hard fans who don't mind paying US$495 for not much more than their entire musical back catalogue, a DVD and a book. So, seeing as I don't fit either of those categories, I'm just happy to have three tickets to their Brisbane show tacked to my notice board.
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