Television and The Pixies:
Two influential but relatively obscure bands whose B-sides played a crucial role in shaping their sound and legacy.
Bands That Left a Lasting Impact Through Their B-Sides: Television & The Pixies
When we think about the evolution of rock music, it's often the albums and chart-topping singles that grab the spotlight. But for many bands, it’s their B-sides—the hidden tracks tucked away on the flip side of their singles that define their sound and influence. Two bands that exemplify this phenomenon are Television and The Pixies. Though not household names in the traditional sense, these groups helped shape the landscape of rock, punk, and indie music, with their B-sides playing a pivotal role in their musical journeys.
Television: The Sound of the New York Punk Underground
Television was a key figure in the early New York punk scene, though their music never received the commercial success it deserved during its time. Their debut album, Marquee Moon, has since been hailed as one of the most influential albums of the 1970s. However, it was their B-sides—such as the track "Little Johnny Jewel"—that helped define their unique sound.
Released as a single in 1975, "Little Johnny Jewel" wasn’t just a B-side; it was a bold statement. At over six minutes long, it combined punk's raw energy with intricate guitar work that was ahead of its time. The track’s complex structure and emotional depth set the stage for the evolution of punk into more experimental and introspective territory. While it wasn’t a commercial hit, "Little Johnny Jewel" became a touchstone for underground music, influencing bands like Sonic Youth and R.E.M., who would later build on the post-punk sound.
For Television, their B-sides were an outlet for musical exploration. Tracks like these gave the band room to push the boundaries of what punk could be, intertwining soaring guitar solos with urgent, unpolished vocals. Their B-sides were an essential part of their legacy, offering fans an authentic glimpse into the raw creativity of a band that wasn't interested in conforming to mainstream norms.
The Pixies: A Blueprint for Grunge and Alternative Rock
While The Pixies were far more well-known in indie and alternative circles, their commercial success didn’t come until after they disbanded. But their B-sides, much like Television’s, were pivotal in cementing their influence. Tracks such as "The Happening" (from Bossanova) and "Manta Ray" (from Trompe le Monde) helped the band experiment with sounds that would later become staples of the grunge and alternative scenes.
"The Happening" is a great example of The Pixies' ability to blend noise, melody, and surrealist lyrics. While their A-sides, like “Where Is My Mind?” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” garnered the most attention, B-sides like "The Happening" showcased the band's knack for unexpected, jarring sounds that pushed the boundaries of indie rock. Similarly, "Manta Ray," a track buried in the Trompe le Monde era, continues to embody the dark, experimental spirit of the Pixies, blending surf rock influences with fuzzed-out guitar riffs and surreal lyricism.
Though many mainstream listeners didn’t immediately connect with these B-sides, they became essential to the band's sound, influencing the development of the alternative rock and grunge movements. It's no surprise that Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain often cited The Pixies as a key influence. The Pixies’ B-sides were as much a part of their DNA as their main hits, helping to define the genre of indie rock that would explode in the 1990s.
The Common Thread: Experimentation and Legacy
So, what do Television and The Pixies have in common? Both bands were pioneers, pushing the limits of rock music with B-sides that were as essential as their albums. These B-sides weren’t just “extra tracks”—they were vehicles for creative expression. From Television’s complex guitar interplay to The Pixies’ unique fusion of noise and melody, these underground classics shaped their respective movements, influencing generations of musicians who would follow.
Both bands were also trailblazers in the way they approached punk and alternative music. Television’s ability to fuse intricate, almost jazzy guitar work with the urgency of punk set the stage for the 80s alternative movement. Similarly, The Pixies’ blend of surf rock, punk, and experimental noise laid the foundation for the grunge explosion of the early 90s.
The B-sides of these bands often stood in contrast to their A-sides, offering a glimpse of the more experimental, off-kilter side of rock. They weren’t afraid to get weird, and in doing so, they rewrote the rules for what rock music could be.
Conclusion: B-Sides that Shaped a Generation
Both Television and The Pixies stand as prime examples of how B-sides have the power to shape not only a band’s identity but an entire genre. These tracks helped these relatively obscure bands leave an indelible mark on the world of music, influencing countless artists and evolving the sound of punk, indie, and alternative rock. Their legacy proves that sometimes the most groundbreaking music isn’t the one that’s played on the radio, but the one buried on the flip side of a single.
Bonus Playlist:
Television – "Little Johnny Jewel," "Marquee Moon," "Friction"
The Pixies – "The Happening," "Manta Ray," "Rock Music"
Dive into these B-sides and experience the raw, experimental energy that made Television and The Pixies underground legends. These tracks may have been overlooked in the mainstream, but their impact is still felt today.
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