The Breeders
Kim Deal
Vocals, Guitar
Kelley Deal
Guitar, Vocals ('92 - )
Josephine Wiggs
Bass, Vocals
Jim Macpherson
Drums
Tanya Donelly
Guitar, Vocals ('89 - '92)
Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA
Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock
Years Active: 1989 - 1995; 1996 - 2003; 2008 -
Meaning of the Name: Means heterosexual people. The term is used in the gay community as an insult.
Way of Working: Led by Kim Deal
Associated: Pixies, Throwing Muses, The Perfect Disaster
Essential Releases
Pod (1990)
Debut album made while still a side project. Strong noise influence. Dissonant.
Safari EP (1992)
Serves as a bridge between the grit of Pod and the melody of Last Splash.
Last Splash (1993)
Breakthrough album. More accessible.
By the early '90s, women in rock were cementing their position as major players in a genre that had been sidelined them for too long. While the mainstream industry was still a playground for leather-clad men with long hair and mummy issues, feminist movements like riot grrrl amplified the reach of talented female artists. It was in this environment that The Breeders achieved their breakthrough success with 'Cannonball', hammering a nail into the "rock chick" coffin by wielding guitars as more than just fashion accessories.
Raised in the industrial city of Dayton, Ohio, identical twins Kim and Kelley Deal lived a world away from the major hotspots of American culture. As women who loved rock music, they were relegated to singing folk in dive bars for tips, until Kim relocated to Boston and inadvertently changed the course of indie rock.
She joined the Pixies as their bassist. At the time, she had never picked up a bass, but was thrilled to be in a big city band. However, the Boston honeymoon quickly turned bitter, as Kim's true ambition was to write her own songs and sing lead.
Given limited opportunities to pursue her natural songwriting gifts within the Pixies, tensions inevitably grew. On the rare occasions her insistence paid off, such as on 'Gigantic' (1988), her ability was praised by both fans and industry figures alike. Kurt Cobain famously expressed his admiration in an interview from 1992:
"I wish Kim was allowed to write more songs for the Pixies, because 'Gigantic' is the best Pixies song and Kim wrote it."Refusing to take no for an answer, Kim channelled the independent spirit of Generation X and formed The Breeders. Originally a side-project with Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses, they released their debut album, the angular Pod, in 1990. Following several line-up changes, Kelley replaced Tanya on lead guitar, despite, in true Deal fashion, not actually knowing how to play the instrument.
This lack of technical proficiency strangely became an asset: their punky enthusiasm and raw energy resonated as a mark of authenticity with audiences weary of over-produced stadium rock. The band purposefully cultivated a "lived-in" aesthetic, throwing cymbals from the second floor of their recording studio to see if they 'sounded better' cracked. They even plugged a sewing machine into a guitar amp ('S.O.S.'), and placed a styrofoam cup over the microphone to get that distinct, distorted vocal at the start of 'Cannonball'.
The resulting chaotic textures combined beautifully with pop melodies on 1993's Last Splash, creating noticeable space between the distorted lows of the rhythm section and the clear highs of the vocals and guitar, separating the mix into two sections: the grounded and the divine.
Last Splash stormed the UK charts, reaching number 5 and cementing The Breeders as a musical force in their own right. Its lead single 'Cannonball' soared to number 2 on the US alternative chart, becoming a feel‑good hit that perfectly encapsulates the sound and spirit of the early '90s.
In the end, Kim achieved her goal because she refused to give up on her dream. Her persistence and "DIY" ethos paved the way for modern heavyweights like Sleater-Kinney and boygenius, not only earning a seat at the table, but proving that women belonged at the very pinnacle of rock music.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
75
Mental Impact
65
Originality
80
Artistry
70
Authenticity
70
Live
85
Production
80
Musicianship
70
Singing
85
Songwriting
90
Danceability
75
Fun
85
Consistency
75
Range
70
Cool
80
Charisma
85
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards
Certifications >>>
- Last Splash - Platinum in the US; Gold in France, Australia & Canada; Silver in the UK
Charts >>>
- Last Splash - Number 5 in the UK
Critics >>>
- Mojo - All Nerve - Top 75 Albums of 2018 : 10th
- Pitchfork - Pod - Best Albums of the '90s (2003): 81st
- Spin - Last Splash - The 90 Greatest Albums Of The '90s (2021): 39th
