The Kim Deal Interview

Interview by Jenny Stewart, Editorial Director, PlanetOut Inc.

Back in the 1980's Kim Deal was the quintessential cool alt-rock chick. She was a female bassist in one of the best, smartest bands around -- the Pixies -- but she always seemed accessible.  You could imagine sitting around with her in a bar drinking pitchers of beer, being goofy, singing along to the bad songs that came up on the jukebox.

 

After the Pixies disbanded, Deal became a real star in her own right in the early 90's when she launched her own band, The Breeders. Seeing The Breeders play live at the height of their popularity in the mid 90's was a transcendent experience.  From a musical perspective, the band's talent was undeniable, but they also had an ace up their sleeve that no other band had -- Deal's identical twin sister, Kelley, was also in the band. There's always a strange fascination in general when it comes to twins, but seeing hot identical twin sisters play rock and roll right next to each other?  That's something you don't see everyday.

Breeders shows became legendary for many things, but most of the fun was watching the onstage bickering, teasing and general fun between the two sisters.  "Oh look everyone!  Kelly's tuning her guitar, isn’t that cute?"

Besides her musical talent, Deal also possessed another admirable quality.  Unlike most rockers, she's always copped to her addictions and has always spoken openly about her many vices during broadcast and print interviews. (In her book, rock journalist Jancee Dunn chronicles a killer interview she did with Deal during Lollapalooza back in 1994, where an inebriated Deal wrestles Dunn to the ground after asking too many questions.  Dunn had a blast, but her editor killed the story).

Which made it all the more surprising when we learned that hard drinking, hard rocking, hard toking Kim Deal had gotten completely clean and sober?

First, you think, "Oh that won't last," but that was 2003, and five years later, Kim Deal is not just clean and sober, she even just gave up smoking.  [Editor's note:  Deal's now living back in Dayton, Ohio, where she grew up].

When fans learn their favorite rock stars have gotten sober, the usual reaction is, "Uh-oh, party over.  The music's going to suck and they're going to be boring."  It does happen to some artists, but it certainly hasn’t happened to Deal.  The Breeders latest CD, "Mountain Battles" was released to rave reviews, and the band has been successfully touring the US and abroad for the past six months to sold out venues.  The band rocks harder than ever, and the Deal twins still have that onstage flair.  There's certainly nothing "soberly dull" this time out.

Still, despite all that, I have to admit that right before I interviewed Deal, I was nervous that I'd be bummed out afterwards.  What if the hyper rock chick who used to talk-a-million-miles-a-minute-about-anything-that-popped-into-her-head-and-it-was-always-hilarious-and-entertaining was now…slow-talking and boring?  Would this interview ruin all of my memories of Kim Deal forever?

Luckily, I was wrong. "Mellow" is definitely not a word to use in conjunction with a sober Kim Deal. She's not just enthusiastic about every topic you throw her way,  she's downright exuberant – and always entertaining. We ran out of time way too soon, and the questions I didn't have time to ask will have to wait for another time.

Hi Kim, how are you?

Hello!   I'm on your Web site right now.  I wanted to look around and check it out, but I think I have to be a member to get in.

Which of our sites are you on?

I'm on Gay.com. But I think I have to be a member to like, see everything.  You have other sites?

Yes, you can also go to PlanetOut.com and our blog network to find out about us. We're a lot of sites and we have millions of gay members.  But you don't have to be a member to get on Gay.com.

Wow, that's a lot of gay people!

It is!  So it's Halloween.  What are your Halloween plans in Dayton?

Well our Halloween happened last night here. I went to Kelley's house to give away candy to the kids, right?   But then we got mad at each other. So I left and went to a friend's house.  But then I went back to Kelley's house and then I got mad at her again, and I left again.

Wait!  You have to tell me why you got mad at Kelley?

[Laughs]. Oh my God!   Ok so here's what happened.  I went over there, and I thought it was going to be this super casual thing, right? I was a little under the weather but I thought she wanted me to go and help her pass out candy.  So I went over, right?

Yeah? 

And then she…forced this bowl of candy in my hand and like…grunts and makes a motion to her neighbors next door.   By the way, her neighbors are a gay couple.  But then they left because they went to this voting thing, this rally.  It was the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Ben Harper for Obama – right?

Yeah?

So the lesbians like, take off, right? And, oh! Oh!  That's what it was!  And she gives me the bowl.  I look at Kelley then Kelley walks inside to her dog and then these people start coming down, it was just…I was treated too rough. 

But I'm curious – why did your town do Halloween the night before Halloween?

I have a feeling a lot of communities did Halloween the night before because it might be too rough for a Friday night.  They don’t want to have their babies out.  [Quietly] Also, Kelley lives in a pretty rough part of town...

You got clean and sober five years ago – which we'll get to later – but now I heard you quit smoking.  How did you quit?

I used Chantix. 

Is that like a pill?

Yes, and it's not a nicotine replacement.  You have to go to your doctor and you have to have it prescribed.  It's a three month program, and it sort of plays around with your brain chemistry. 

See, that kind of thing scares me, where it messes with your brain.  It seems so weird, you know?

Oh it's sooo super weird.   I turned into like, a sociopath – but it was awesome! The drug reaction is that it blocks the ability for the neurotransmitters in your brain to actually bind to the actual nicotine in your blood.  So this how is you use the product: So you're smoking, and then you keep smoking, and you keep taking the pills. You take it one day, and the next day, and you're still smoking, right?  And then on this one day – day eight -- you smoke and you look at your cigarette and you think, 'You know what?  This just isn’t doing anything for me.'

No way, really?

Yeah! You realize the cigarette is just not satisfying the craving.  It's not satisfying anything, really, and you feel a little nauseous.  But see what is happening is that the nicotine in your blood is not being picked up by anything because it's all being blocked.  Oh!  And all of a sudden, I had no empathy for people.

[Laughing] Oh my God! That's a pretty big side effect!

I know!  But that was so cool with me because I didn’t care if I didn't feel empathy for people, right, because I had no empathy!  I had no empathy for anything and frankly, liked it – it was a nice break if you ask me. 

Anyway, I was on it for like three months and it was really good and I would highly recommend it to any smoker.  And as far as those side effects go? Like I said, I didn’t mind them at all and now I definitely feel like I'm back.  That was a year ago, so I've been you know… bulking up a bit.  I'm at a fighting weight.

Are you eating a lot more now?  What kinds of foods are you into at the moment?

A lot!  Oh – that Cadbury fruit-nut bar? Love that.  Oh I could just go and on with this -- what else am I into?  And Truffles!  Oh wait, not Truffles, Turtles.  You know those Turtles?

The chocolate things shaped like Turtles, right?

Yeah, I just got into them and I'm like, 'Oh yeah, these are good.'  I'm just really, really decadent right now. Well I just figure, you know – I quit smoking and I think that's really great that I quit smoking.

Well you're totally sober now, right?  So see, that freaks me out because now you've got no vices what-so-ever?

Well no – I still have the chocolates and the Turtles.  And the sleeping all day.

You've been touring for the Breeders new "Mountain Battles" CD for a long time.  Was this the first time you toured sober?

No, the first time I toured sober was with the Breeders in the spring of 2003 and I remember it vividly.   It was really scary at first, but in the end, it was really exciting.  You know, I don’t have a lot of the friends that I used to hang out with before.  But I do know some people who still use and of course our paths don’t cross that much, because why would I want to be spat at by somebody who's doing a Columbian re-wind saying the same thing over and over?  I'm just not going to put myself in that position because it's tiring and it's boring.

But it's funny because I gotta tell ya, it's a way more exciting life.  And I never thought it would be! 

I can barely talk to someone who's drinking.  Now, if someone has a beer in their hand and their just talking, I don’t have any sort of problem with that.  But if someone is drunk?  I can barely stand it.  Barely.

You know that Breeders documentary on the Internet?

Oh my God, yes! 

Can you go back and watch that now that you're sober?

I haven’t watched it in a while but I have seen it before.   I loved that documentary.  That was done by some Dutch people and I thought they had – hold on a second! [Editor's note -- Kim stops the interview to talk to her Dad.  This is what I heard: "I'm doing an interview, Dad. Ok. Yes.  Ok. K.  Bye!"]

So -- I thought the Dutch people who made it had a really nice filmmaking quality to them, I thought it was really sweet.   And it was a real documentary, it wasn't like, "reality show" documentary.  Like the "Loud, Quiet Loud" documentary we did -- that was pretty fake and stuff.  But this was real -- they didn’t edit to create drama, they'd just edit to put it together.

It's a fascinating documentary, and they also they captured so many private moments between you and Kelley.  You two should have your own reality show.  But you guys were definitely on stuff which made it even more interesting.  What were you on?

Let's see.  I was probably drinking beer and smoking pot.  Kelly was probably high on Vicodin.  She was probably off the wagon. 

Yeah, you two are twins yet you had completely opposite drug habits which I find fascinating.

Dude, I know!  Isn't that weird?  Well like with my Dad, his drug of choice is food. I mean, he's really into food.  Mine's always been beer, and Kelley?  It's the opiates.

Is Kelley clean and sober now too?

Yeah – right now she is and she's doing really good.  The other thing I find really interesting about being sober is that I find that each day can be really different.  Like I have no idea what I'm doing day to day.

So what about today?

Well today I sort of knew what I'd be doing.  I knew I'd be emailing a lot today because we're getting ready for the West coast tour, so I have to handle all that.  I also knew I'd be talking to you.  Oh -- and there's still all this chocolate and the Turtles I'll be eating.  Now, later on tonight, I'm getting together with a few friends and we're going to the 10:30 showing of "Quarantine" at a theater.

Oh but one more thing about the days being different in a great way. Another thing that I didn’t realize before was you know, being in a room and hiding from awkward situations, and from boring moments?  But like, now, I have them?  I get so awkward and so embarrassed every day from one thing or another and I feel so uncomfortable and my point is that it's a really interesting feeling and I really enjoy it.

I can actually undertand that being a good feeling.

I know!  But see, if all you do is get high all the time, it becomes boring so living without getting high is extremely interesting. 

One of the most infamous moments in Pixies history is the intro to "I'm Amazed," where you're talking about the "rumors that he was into field hockey players." Once and for all -- what is the end of that story?

Ok!  That was a story I was telling Charles as we were waiting for (producer) Steve Albini to get everything together.  Meanwhile, Steve's rolling tape and we didn’t know it at the time, right?  So I was telling Charles about Wayne High School, which is here in Ohio, and it's where I went to school.  And I was telling him the story about how there was some sort of…sexual problem going on with a...certain teacher. And I shouldn’t name names but he was a biology teacher. And there were rumors.  There were rumors.   There were some rumors goin' around that he was um, having certain associations with some of the girls on the field hockey team.  Like... he was having inappropriate contact with them.

Yes – but then on the original tape, you tell the story and then you say, "They were so...quiet about it. And the next thing you know ---" and boom – "I'm Amazed" starts.  What was the "the next thing you know?!"

[Laughs]. Oh!  Well I think what I was probably about to say was that he was fired or something.  But see, Albini pieced that all together and when we first heard it, it was just like, hilarious because we didn’t know he'd done it!   Dude, we didn’t hear it until he played the whole record.  We were sitting there and listening to all the songs in sequence! So you know, we're all sitting there.   And you know, the first song comes on, and then the second, and all the rest and then the talking comes on and we were just, laughing so hard!  We thought it was just great!

Do you know there's a video clip on the Internet of some guy acting out both yours and Charles' parts by himself in bed?  And he's cute!

Oh my God, no way! 

Yes!  Just go on Google and do a search for " Intro I'm Amazed YouTube" and it will come up as the first result.  [Editor's note: You can view this clip at the end of this interview].

That's so adorable I'm going to check it out and you know what?  Charles' ex-wife had this great idea that when we do "I'm Amazed" live, we should do the skit live right before and then break into the song, which I thought would have been so great!  But we just, never got around to it I guess.

Oh man – that would have been great, because it's like part of the actual song now.  And everyone quotes that line all the time.

That's so funny, and it really is like a part of the song now!

By the way, is it true you saw the Van Halen reunion tour and when David Lee Roth walked on stage, you started crying cos you were so happy?

[Screams] OH MY GOD!  When they all came out it was so AWESOME!! It was incredible, I had chills!  Oh my God it was just incredible.  And even though the original bass player wasn’t there so it wasn't really the original lineup, it's still Eddie's son, so seeing that is so sweet and so cute.  And they were both smiling and it was so cute.

Ok shit, Kim!  We're running out of time!   But I wanted to know if you wanted to play the "Make Out" game.

Ok go for it!

The scenario is that you pretend you're in some sort of romantic situation where you're making out with someone, right?

Right.

And then I'll name two really mellow, wuss-like songs, and you have to choose which of the two songs you'd want to get rid of.  Is this something you'd want to play?

Let's totally do it.  I think I could be really good at this.  I'm totally opinionated when it comes to songs.

Ok here we go.  "Seasons in the Sun" by Terry Jacks or "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" by Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand?

Ok, so let me make sure I'm doing this right. I'm now supposed to tell you which song I would not want on while I'm making out, right?

Exactly.

Oh my God, you know "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" is going to be it! I mean -- please!  That song would totally ruin the moment.  In fact, not only would I stop making out, I would open the car door and I would get out of the car until the song was over.   And you know what else?  I'd probably even act it out from the outside of the car!  I would make the other person go to the other side of the car and one of us would be Neil and one would be Barbra and we'd just make those movements like it was ballet.

[Laughing].  Ok – "Please Come to Boston" or "Aubrey."

Wait, how does "Aubrey" go again?

[Sings] "And Aubrey was her name, a --"

[Sings] "A not so very ordinary girl or name, but who's to blame." Ok got it.  [Thinks]. Ok – I would get rid of "Please Come to Boston."  It's too intimate, you know?  Man, I just want something in the back that's like, not that! But that guy, "Please come to Boston in the springtime?" Please!  I don't know, maybe it's cuz it's a guy begging this girl, getting all desperate.  Oh!  And he like, wants her to go everywhere, not just Boston.  It's just not cool at all.

"Muskrat Love" or "Bridge Over Troubled Water?"

Now you're saying which song would actually cause me to want to stop kissing, right?

Yes.

In that case, I'd go with "Muskrat Love."

So you'd rather make out to "Bridge Over Troubled Water?"

Well I guess I'd have to given the choice!  I mean, come on – "Muskrat Sally and Muskrat Sam?  Do the jitterbug in Muskrat LAND?  I mean, no way!  I'm not going to kiss to that, are you kidding me?  No way! I mean, I'll...laugh to it, and maybe I'd think it was funny, but the making out would definitely stop! [Laughing].

"Cat's in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin, or "She's Always a Woman to Me" by Billy Joel.

Oh dude!  [Long pause].  Oh my God.  I'd have to stop on both for that one.

"At Seventeen" or "Our House" by Crosby Stills Nash and Young.

Ok so again, which one would I totally stop making out to, right?

Yes.

In that case, "At Seventeen."  I mean, no way.  "I learned to cry at seventeen?"  How could you kiss to that song? 

I've got many more song pairings, but we're out of time.  Thanks, Kim!

Thank you! 

You can catch the Breeders live in November on their West coast tour.  Get ticket info here.

[Editor's note:  Here are the questions I didn't have time for:  As a twin, did you and Kelley ever pretend to be each other?  If so, describe -- did you pull it off?  Also -- do you and Kelley have that "telepathic" thing that twins have? Is there one female friend you feel closer to than your sister?  Who is she?  Are you as limber as you were in the "One Divine Hammer" video?  Are dating anyone?   If there was a gun to your head and you had to throw away all your CD's and could only save 5, which ones would they be?].

Interview by Jenny Stewart, Editorial Director, PlanetOut Inc.

Below: Fan does intro to "I'm Amazed"

All Images courtesy Getty

Comments

[j.r.]

OMG, this is so great. You are an amazing interviewer, who managed to really get Kim to open up on all these things she's probably never been asked. We really got to see a lot of sides here. It also felt very intimate. You really make the reader feel like they're there. Rock on!

[markrocker]

Holy shit! Where did this come from? I have Kim on my Google alert and this just came out of the blue.

Best interview ever.

Where to start? "I turned into a sociopath -- and it was awesome!" I'm still laughing.

"I didn't care if I had no empathy, because I had no empathy -- and it was a nice break if you ask me."

But the game was the best. I wanted more! Kim -- "Please come to Boston" to play this game with me.

Seriously, did she really sing "Aubrey?" Am I the only person who wants to hear Kim Deal sing "Aubrey?" Think about it -- she should record that. In a strange way, it sounds like a Breeders song.

What were the other song pairings? I for one could think of a million.

But in all seriousness. Yes, this interiview was hilarious, but I agree with Ms. Stewart. Any way you slice up Kim Deal -- sober, hungover, drunk, amped on...Turtles -- she's the single most entertaining female rock star in interviews of all time.

I just read an interview with Patti Smith and almost died of boredom, she actually quoted Rimbaud. Again. Can someone please point her to a library and show her that there really are other poets out there?

Kim Deal, you're the man. It's so refreshing to see that you haven't changed one bit. You are as talented, funny and intelligent as ever. Oh -- and as a gay boy, I have to say you look hotter in that first pic than any male rock star.

Mark

[Chris Off]

Um... I don't understand one thing.

I just finished reading the new issue of Rolling Stone. It was the brand new "miniature" edition, with AC/DC on the cover.

Positive points first. I actually liked the new layout. It was in fact, easier to read. From a purely aesthetic standpoint, I give it a thumbs up. It was a drastic change for the magazine stylistically, but I think it works.

Ok -- here's where I'm confused. I paid $5.00 for Rolling Stone. I'm a gay fan of AC/DC. Big time. But I got sleepy from what I was reading. I was bored. After almost falling asleep (oh -- btw, you should check out the issue just to see the new ads. There is a new -- are you ready -- JIM MORRISON CONVERSE ALL-STAR SNEAKER AD! It's true -- you can now buy Jim Morrison sneakers, That's...cool, right?)

So getting back to my story. I put down the magazine and got on Gay.com and read this interview with Kim Fucking Deal and...I perked right up.

I read this two times just to take it all in. My question is this -- why am I reading the best rock and roll interview by a straight female rock star on a gay site? Have music magazines gone nuts? What music magazine would not want this Kim Deal interview in their magazine?

As a gay man, I'm fucking proud I found it here, but seriously -- doesn't this kind of interview belong in Rolling Stone? Or Spin? Or even Magnet?

Look -- Kim Deal may not be a spring chicken like Katy Perry or Pink. And the Breeders may not be in the top 20. But she's sure as hell a lot more interesting and talented than any of the people I just read about in Rolling Stone and Spin.

So kudos to Gay.com for publishing this. It's the best rock and roll interview to ever not appear in a rock magazine.

Oh and to the interviewer, Ms. Stewart. I hope Kim calls you back about the extra questions. I want to know those answers too. Kudos on an excellent interview. You put the music mags so shame.

[kfall]

This is the funniest interview ever with one of my favorite rockers ever. Kim looks hot in that first pic...in a Jerry O'Connell sorta way (that's a compliment - I think he's a cutie). Can't wait to see the Breeders on tour. Thanks for a great read!

[soniabrockert]

Best. Interview. Ever. My friend just emailed me this link and said, "You're going to love this." He was right! I've had a crush on Kim since "Cannonball" and this interview was amazing.

Why are all the hot female rockers *not* gay? I would quit my job and move to Dayton and do everything in my power to get her to date me. There are thousands of lesbians who will have crushes on Kim until she's 75 years old.

Congrats to the interviewer for coming up with that game -- Kim's answers were hilarious and I was disappointed that there were only a few.

Bringing up the "One Divine Hammer" video reminded me of how hot Kim was in that -- and yes, very limber.

I wish I was on the West coast to catch them live, but hopefully, they'll come to Philly one day soon.

Thanks for making my day with this interview and Kim -- so glad you took the time to talk to a gay site. Makes you even cooler in my book (if that's possible).

[Ryan]

Nice! I had no clue she was so funny!

[Chaser]

What a wonderful surprise this was. What a wonderful interview! I caught the band recently in England and they rocked.

Kim and Kelley are still in fact bantering on stage and it's funnnier than ever.

Kim Deal is a legend. I bought the new CD and loved it. My only complaint about Kim is that she takes way, way too much time between records. What is she doing that takes her so long?

From the comments here, it looks like everyone enjoyed this article as much as I did.

There definitely are a lot of rock stars who do in fact get boring after they get sober and I'm so glad to see that Kim has actually gotten funnier with sobriety. I for one still can't believe she actually got sober. Watch the Breeders documentary on Youtube and you'll see why I'm surprised.

But I am really happy for her. Oh -- as far as the interviewer asking if she's still limber like she was in "Divine Hammer" video, I think the answer is no. When I saw them live, she still looks gorgeous, but Kim's definitely put on some weight and if she really is on this health kick, she should lose a few and start exercising. She's too hot to be...slightly overweight.

Awesome interview -- I'm sending this to my college roommate. All we did was listen to "Last Splash" in our dorm.

[Tim Dean]

LOVED THIS! When I came to the end, I was pissed it was over. The fact that she even played that game in the first place just proves how cool she really is. The fact that she got so into it just reinforced my love for the girl. I gotta say though, the game ended way too fast and now that I know there were other songs for Kim to choose from, I'm like, dying to know what they were. (If Kim is reading this, please, you gotta go back and do this again. I demand more).

I'm a gay man and I'm as gay as they come. But I've always had a massive crush on Kim, and I'm sure a lot of gay men do. From the first time I saw her in the men's suit in the "Cannonball" video, I was hooked -- and confused. I found myself sexually attracted to her. Throw in the twin standing right behind her and I was one confused 23 year old gay boy.

This was actually the best music interview I've read in, well, years to be honest. I admire Kim for many things, but her getting sober and her ability to be so articulate about it really made an impression on me.

To be honest, most of the "recently sober" people I know are way too preachy and it's a big turnoff. But Kim made it sound...fun. And frankly, if a hardcore partier like Kim thinks life is much more "exciting" sober, maybe it is? I can't imagine life without my four martini's on Fri/Sat/Sunday night's, but you maybe I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for this interview. It rocked on so many levels, it's hard to explain.

[Val Fallon]

It's almost too frustrating for me to read this knowing she's not a lesbian. Why can't Kim Deal be gay? I'm serious, why not?

Yes, we all agree it's a great interview, but as a lesbian, I just find it sort of frustrating. Sure, we have kd lang and Melissa, but for God's sake, why isn't Kim gay? Or Chrissie for that matter? Stevie? It just seems the really cool rock chicks are straight, you know?

But killer article. Never heard of "Aubrey" until tonight but just downloaded it. Yes -- Kim should record it. And she'd hit me for saying this, but let's face it, every one of the songs mentioned in the makeout game would be great Breeders covers songs.

Excellent piece. Love you Kim (but you break my heart).

[Chuck Thurman]

This interview was frustrating. I loved reading it -- Kim's the best, but she was so funny, I would have preferred to actually HEAR or watch it. I could totally hear Kim's voice in the field hockey player story. And that is something I want and need to hear.

I also want to hear the song game.

Was wondering if Jenny Stewart could release an audio version of this interview? Or video?

If anyone has not seen the Breeders documentary referenced in this article, here's the link -- its in 4 parts and your eyes will be glued.

Breeder doc:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgS45udHYk8

And here's the video of Kim looking HOT in "One Divine Hammer"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMk9eHTUkQ0

[Honeybeast]

What an awesome interview! I just screamed when she talked about the field hockey players!

I would have loved to hear this interview too - I mean, Kim Deal singing Aubrey? That would be my new ringtone ...

[MatthewSF]

SO GLAD THAT BREEDERS ARE COMING TO SAN FRANCISCO!!!!!

This was the best interview ever!..and I agree Kim PLEASE COVER AUBREY!... or at least just sing it at Slim's!

[bucky]

Is it just me or is the funniest, most interesting interview Kim has ever done? Glad to finally know the end of the field hockey story. I agree with Honeybeast and the other posters – Kim should totally cover “Aubrey.” Dude, that would be awesome! I downloaded the song from iTunes because I’d forgotten how it went, and it really could be a killer Breeders cover. I am going to the Slim’s show both nights in SF. If Kim did sang “Aubrey” a crowd of lesbians, they’d die.

Loved this – sending this link to my friend.

[TerriLight]

As a lesbian who just got tix to the Portland show, I can say I too would love it if the Breeders covered "Aubrey." Frankly, I think the band should just try a whole album of covers, that would be interesting.

I gotta say, I'm scared to see the Breeders this time out! The last time I saw them live was 95, and I was 27. It was awesome, but now I'm seeing them as a 39 year old -- what if they aren't as good anymore?

Didnt even know they were on tour, let alone had a new album. Glad I got this newsletter or I wouldn't have known, so thanks.

Actually, Kim was so funny in this and this it reminded me of my love of the Breeders and the Pixies.

As a paying member of Gay.com, I want to add that it was great to finally see WOMEN covered on this site.

Terri

[Shane]

After I read this interview, I went and watched the Breeders doc on YouTube. I can't believe I never knew it existed. It's phenomenal -- Kim and Kelley really should have their own reality show. They are just so fascinating to watch.

I also rented "Live Quiet Loud" and oh my God. The Breeders documentary is so much better. First of all -- Frank Black is a big fat baby. Not only that, but he's in his underwear throughout the whole film and he has boobs. What struck me most about that doc is that without Kim, the Pixies would be boring. She's the only interesting part of the Pixies. And she and Kelley are certainly the only two interesting things in the whole film. If Frank Black was jealous of Kim, he had reason to be -- SHE'S ACTUALLY INTERESTING.

But there is a scene where Kim and Kelley say "I love you" to each other and it's fascinating. Oh -- there's also a scene where the girls are in Kim's bedroom and they are about to pack Kim for the Pixies tour. Kim's room is really, really dirty -- and they're both smoking. It's fucking hilarious.

Thanks for this interview -- it got me back into the Breeders.

[SamAlot]

I'm so glad I found this interview. I had sort of forgotten about the Breeders, but after this, I'm back into them. Hope they come to Philly on the rest of the tour.

Glad to see so many nice comments about Kim. She (and let's not forget Kelley) is still the coolest rock chick ever. She's also the funniest and I'm so glad that she still sounds young, funny and interesting. I just read an interview with Chrissie Hynde and she seemed almost brain dead -- it sort of bummed me out. (But she still looks good.)

I forgot how "Aubrey" went so I got it on iTunes and the people here are totally right -- it would make an excellent Breeders song.

What I want to know is if Kim is married? Or is she single? It occurred to me reading this that with the exception of that "Mrs. John Murphy" short marriage, I have never once heard anything about Kim's romantic life. I know Kelley is married. Anyone know about Kim?

Loved this:)

[GirlTrouble]

I just got to the end of the comments for this and then I saw that someone else had said exactly what I was thinking. What is the deal with Kim's personal life? I want to know too. Is she married? Single? I'm pretty sure she's not gay or else we would have known about it by now. If anyone knows, please post.

Credit to Jenny Stewart by the way. Her interviews, she always seems to make everyone sound fun and funny. I envy her job!

[billy714]

I'm a gay male and I've always been seriously hot for Kim. She's butch and beautiful, and it's a complete turn on if you ask me.

I get a straight vibe from her for sure. I met the band after a show back in the 90's and she did some serious flirting with my friend Mark. She was definitely drunk, but from the way she was acting towards him, there was no mistaking she was straight as an arrow. He still brags about it to this day.

Nice to see Kim still has a sense of humor. I was nervous she'd get crotchedy after she ditched the booze. Love the "Aubrey" concept, it's definitely interesting.

Caught the band last April at Canes and they were fucking fabulous. Nice read.

[RobertKashuda]

I saw "Live Quiet Loud" at SXSW and agree the only interesting thing about it was Kim. Without her and Kelley to follow around with a camera, the movie would be totally boring. Charles and the of the band are so completely uncompelling.

To the person who pointed out the girls telling each other "I love you" in that movie, I remember that vividly. It was adorable, creepy and fascinating all at the same time.

Yes, the Breeders doc is way better, but it's frustrating to watch it on youtube because the screen is small and you have to watch it in segments. Wish it was available on DVD If someone knows where I can get it, please let me know.

Can't get the thought of Kim Deal making out to "At Seventeen" out of my head. Funny indeed.

[aprilsissawesome]

Kim Deal is so fucking rad! When I was 19, she signed my guitar pic after a Breeders show and I'll never forget how nice she was to me. That's sort of when I realized I was a lesbian come to think of it.

[outinengland]

I disagree about Pixies doc. As a huge fan of the Pixies, I agree that Kim's contributions were massive. We all know that. But as a hardcore fan of the band, I loved LOUDQUIETLOUD, and think it's a fabulous film, really. I found the Breeders film dull and lacking direction. Still, it is quite a compelling watch, I admit that.

Just wanted to insert my opinion to this.

[Carter]

Can someone post the youtube link to this interview? I want to watch this, but I can find it.

[Tony]

Yes, where can I see this?

[Leanne919]

LOL! The thought of any of those songs even ENTERING Kim's ears, let alone her making out to them, is hilarious. "Aubrey" idea is a good one. Now I'll have fantasies of me making out with Kim to that song.

[anthonysanfran]

Does anyone have the link to the video of this interview?

[Jasonbaby]

I'd never heard the song Aubrey before but after reading the fuss, I downloaded it. It's a pussy song for sure, but Kim could make it cool!

[millersavannah]

I didn't know the Breeders were even on tour, actually. I bought the cd last year and thought it was great. No idea they went on road with it. Bummer, guess I was not paying attention?

I was turned on to the Pixies when I was thirteen years old from my older sister Rebecca. We hated each other, but always connected over that band. But the connection was mainly over Kim. We couldn't believe....Kim.

We then got totally into Breeders and have followed the Deal girls in the past 10 years, and we just always feel a strange bond with them. We will always like them, see them, read about them and listen to their music. We aren't on the "same page" about any other band.

I realize I got off topic here, but I guess I just wanted to say that when I read this interview, it just made me so happy. I'm going to send this to Becks now.

[GinaNiXon]

I only consider myself a mild/moderate fan of Kim Deal/Pixies/Breeders.

But I want to chime in anyway.

I realize her talent, and her contribution to the Pixies is insane. That band would not be anything without her. That is fact.

Breeders. Loved them. Still do.

Rock on, Kim

[Diane Bowen]

I sooooo didnt need this trip down memory lane tonight. This day has been hard. My life has been hard.

To see Kim get sober and manage to be more entertaining than she ever was? Glad for her for SURE! It was...reasurring and comforting -- I liked it.

But this did catch me on a bad night. It threw me. Wish I was in her place.

[stillsweating]

I saw the Breeders last night here in Washington and I had to call in sick to work today. Band came on late -- like 11:30, but it was worth it!

The show was amazing, amazing, amazing, and worth the calling in sick day. (Though I do wish they'd come on earlier).

After a night like that, I spent my (hungover) day Googling everything I could about Kim and Kelley and found this awesome article. If I'd known about "Aubrey" discussion prior to show, I would have screamed for it. And having seen the show, I think that song would be a killer addition!

Hope the Deals never stop -- they are far more interesting, talented, cool and funny than any other rock stars. Great interview this was by the way.

[bucky]

I subcribed to the "follow this comment feed" on this article and each time I get pinged that someone has commented, I'm surprised. I'm on other Pixies feeds and I guess i find it interesting that this much dialogue is going on with breeders. But I am surprised in a really good way.

to "stillsweating," thanks for post about show. I am seeing them at Slims in San Francisco Friday night and am even more excited after your review. Except I really hope they take the stage before 11:30 -- that would fucking suck if they didn't. That would actually piss me off, since we were planning on getting there at 8.

I posted earlier this week about the "Aubrey" thing from this thread and it makes me laugh to think that after seeing the show last night, you think it would have been cool too, or that it would fit into the show.

We'll see. I am not going to get my hopes up. sure it will be a great show no matter what. at least I hope!

[ROBINLA08]

I demand a replay. Seriously, I am not kidding here. The song game was great with Kim, but imagine it being played with the TWINS playing at the same time. That would be so much better.

[mineIoverWA]

Just saw Breeders in Seattle. Show rocked. Kim's still a goddess. But so is fucking Kelley!

Don't anyone attack me here for what I am about to say, my intentions are good.

Kim should try to lose 25 pounds. She should do it now before she gets bigger. It would be easy for her to do this now, much harder to do later.

I'm pleased to hear that she got off drinking and drugs and most importantly, the smoking. But if she really wants to be healthy like she says, she needs to get on a diet. (Has anyone seen Linda Ronstadt lately? I would never want to see Kim like that. But regardless of Linda's weight, I want to note she is still amazing).

I realize this may also be shallow constructive advice, because as a fan, I want you to be hot forever! You are a rock star with an amazing legacy that will live forever. But Kim, you have that fucking awesomely gorgeous face! Please keep it.

[marilynmayormaynot]

Oh I loved this interview, but as someone who is really excited about seeing the Breeders for the first time since 2003,, I wish I hadn't read these comments.

I love that everyone is saying such great and interesting things about Kim and Kelly, and it's cool that people interested in this amazing band. And how funny was Kim? All that stuff is great.

But now I feel like I am going to be like, almost disappointed if I go to the show and they don't do "Aubrey."

It's such a compelling, interesting idea. And I agree with the person (or maybe it was lot of them) who said they would have liked to hear the audio version of this interview, so we could at least hear Kim sing part of that song.

By the way, the fact that kim knew all those songs thrown to her in the first place is totally impressive in my book.

[marinerswillWIN]

Nuemos last night was packed and the show was incredible.

I agree with the girl who posted here earlier (way interesting back and forth here btw) about the relationship she and her sister had in relation to Kim and Kelley and how she and her sister related to them.

I had a similar experience, and still do. My sister and I are so different. I'm a lesbian attorney in Seattle. She's a houswife and mother of three in PA, and we have completely different lives and have for the most part, well, just grown apart.

But we always have Breeders in common. We got into major trouble together at a Breeders concert in 94 the night before she got married. She was 28 and I was 26. I won't say what happened, but it was horrible, decadent, gross -- but also amazing, and life-changing and the funnest night of our entire lives.

We share that memory forever and talk about it all the time. The Deal girls will forever be a great part of our life. Called her today about the show and we totally talked about that night and were laughing so hard.

Reading this article and seeing kim and kelly are still so close and in such close proximity when they are off stage made me really happy, and made me miss my sister!

[Gregmiami]

Why not interview Kelley as well?

[kaynebenj]

saw band last night. more later.

[molinajoe]

I saw the band Friday night at Slim's in SF, and it was great.

Kim looked healthy and happy. The band was tight, but Kelley seemed to have some tech probs. Not sure if it was in-house or her. To be honest, Kel seemed slightly out of it, but it was fun to watch!

[marilynmayormaynot]

So I saw the show at Slims last night. Deal girls rocked but as predicted after I read this article and the comments about the covering the "Aubrey" song, I was sort of bummed they did not cver it!

Show was great. It was sort of a drag, knowing that the band wont be around for probably five more years.

[Steven Brown]

What an awesome interview! I saw Breeders both nights at Slims and they were amazing!!

I agree that Kelley seemed "off" on Friday night, but it made it more interesting in my opinion.

I love the idea of a Breeders cover album, Kim should do it. "Aubrey" idea is hilarious.

Kim, if you're reading this, don't wait to long between albums. We're all getting older.

[Thomasmaglosang]

Kim should totally do a cover of "Aubrey," what a fucking cool concept! Maybe to take the pressure off, she can just release it as a single, that way it will not take her a decade to get it done :)

This interview was the funniest I have ever read with Kim and that's saying alot. She opens her mouth and she's entertaining.

I'm seeing the show in LA tonight and cannot wait.

Thanks for posting this, I really enjoyed every word but agree with others that it should also be available in audio or video.
Tom

[melissainla]

THIS INTERVIEW WAS AWESOME!! I saw the band last night in LA and Kim and Kelley were fantastic. The band was amazing -- fabulous rhythm section too, actually. The drummer was just great.

I'm late in this discussion, but there are so many things to weigh in on and so glad to see so many people give such thoughtful, interesting feedback about Breeders.

I think Kim's as straight as they come, but I agree she'd make a great lesbian.

Kim takes so long between records, I think the idea of Breeders doing a whole album of covers is brilliant, and it probably wouldn't take her so damn long between records.

I can think of a million songs that Kim would sound good singing. I like the idea of Aubrey, a song I hadnt heard in at least 20 years. Just downloaded it and laughed and was in awe at the thought of Kim doing it. It would be awesome.

So glad she talked about the field hockey story, that is my favorite part of any Pixies song ever.

Glad Kim quit smoking and loved her description of how going schizo was "awesome." I hope she never changes.

Thanks for publishing this interview, it is hilarious.

[Jefrey with One F]

I just found this on Google after seeing the Breeders last evening in SF this past weekend and although I have never commented on an online article in my life, I had to jump in.

Kim Deal -if you are listening or reading what people are saying here, you should listen.

For your band to do an album of covers is not stupid, it's actually a cutting edge idea with major commercial potential.

Regarding this out of the blue "Aubrey" by Bread cover. This too is smart. Kim, with your obssesion of drum beats, a new "interpretation" of that song is ripe with potential. It doesnt have to sound like the original -- add a classic Breeders ambient drum, harmonize with Kelly and next thing you know ------------he was in to field hockey players!

No seriously, you could own that song, make it cool and most important, make it a song that young kids not only would want to make out to, but also have sex to.

Think about it, lady. We'll be waiting.

[Ducky]

Back in the 90's I had a good friend living in Dayton who claimed Kim had a habit of making out with girls. Not saying she's gay but, seriously ya'll, sexuality isn't always so cut 'n dry!

Anyway, this is honestly the BEST Kim interview I have seen in a long, long time. I just saw the band in PDX last week and they sounded amazing. Kim is beautiful.

[ericsman]

Everyone quiet. if you want kim to cover Aubrey, she wont do it if everyone wants her to. She certainly seems like the type that would never do what people want her to do. So just stop this discussion.

Sincerely,

Reverse psychology...

[boyfriday 33b]

A good friend of mine in LA emailed me yesterday after seeing Breeders previous night at Wilburn. I sent him a link to this interview, whic I thought he'd find it interesting as he was in sort of a "Kim and Kelly" mode after seeing the show.

He called an hour later and was so into the comments left by fans on this piece. I was unaware that such an interesting thread was happening. I follow threads on music sites regularly, and I'm telling you, unless it's intervies on sites geared entirely to music and equipment (Guitarmag.com,etc) comments posted comments to interviews with musicians or rock stars are usually nothing more than "THIS BAND ROCKS."

So way to go my fellow gay and lesbian rock fans for making this be so much cooler by adding such thoughtful and creative comments about Kim and the Breeders.

I'm ending here but on one last note. Lots of stuff was posted, but it seems the majority of this discussion revolves around one issue: "To Aubrey or Not to Aubrey?"

It's not just something fans seem to clearly want it's also something critics would find interesting. Also, nobody under 35 even knows about that song, so why not market it as a new song? Then again, I agree with the person who argues that if Kim thinks people want her to do this, she won't.

But Kimmy -- if by chance you have read this interview and the comments from readers, please consider what I am about to say. You have been obsessed with ambient drum beats for a while, no? You are always telling drummers to drum completely different than they have been taught, right?

Well the song "Aubrey" has no drums! There isn't even percussion from what I can tell.

So Kim, when you get back to Dayton after tour, why dont you grab a bag of turtles, lock yourself into your studio with your protools and re-inivent "Aubrey" with DRUMS. And don't forget to grab Kelly.

This isn't a joke -- this is actually a perfect fit for your band, and your fans clearly would like this. Thanks Kim!

[GIRL CALLED SUE]

This is the only interview with any musician that has held my attention in the past 10 years. And sadly, I read everything. I still have hope and wait to be transcended by a rock star interview the way I was when I was in my teens.

Why can't we still read interviews like this? Do publicists really think these new controlled interviews sell records, and generate interest? I realize it's a well oiled machine at this point and we've all become used to it, but what is the long term result? I don't want to sound like an idealistic college freshman (I'm 34), but we all know commercialism has ruined rock. It's also ruining rock journalism.

Went off radar there, but just wanted to make a point.

I'm not gay, but this interview link was just sent to me from one of my best gay friends. Not only did I read this, I printed it out and read it three times, because I was so entertained, jazzed, and inspired on so many different levels. Then I was like, "and this is on a gay site?"

To me, it was like reading the best interview with Neil Young EVER, and then realizing it was in, say, OUT magazine. It makes you kinda wonder if gay writers are the last hope for straight music journalism?

Ending this now with a major thanks to the person who did this interview, but also to Kim Deal. Thanks for single handedly keeping rock interesting.

Oh and Kim, recording "Aubrey" would be a major rock and roll coup.

[SteveIbowskie]

I loved this interview and left a comment on it three weeks ago. I came back to read the comments today beause a colleague I used to work with told me this piece was getting talked about internally in the record label he works with now.

Getting word his label folks were sort of dissecting the appeal of this article, and trying to figure out how to convey the "tone" of this to their PR folks, it was interesting to me.

I have mixed feelings about that.

When I imagine the amount of money record label marketing teams may get to try to start trying to duplicate this kind of article/comments and make it seem "real" to push units, it just seems ridiculous and fake.

All this one got down to was getting the right two girls in the same room, at the same time, talking.

The only agenda either seemed to have was...nothing. What they did have was chemistry. This was off the cuff, and old school.

When you have Kim (or Kelly) in the room, things are never going to be dull or passe. But Stewart -- you didnt just elevate kim and the Breeders, you made reading about rock stars and music exciting again. I dread how the record labels are going to follow. They will mess it up.

Oh, and to add my bit about this Bread/Breeders dialogue...

"Aubrey" would be great for Breeders. But then again, I think any Bread song would be great for the band to cover. And I'm a former rock critic...

[leemonroe]

The Breeders or Kim Deal should cover the Bread song Aubrey for sure. Kim's voice sounds like a female version of David Gates anyway. And I mean that as a compliment.

[KarenMilstien]

I'm killing time online before I have to go to a Thanksgiving party and I came across this totally RAD interview! Kim Deal is so funny! I love that she knew all of the wierd songs the person threw at her!

She has aged so much better than Chrissie Hynde. Pick up the new issue of Black Book magazine with Matt Dillon on the cover and read the interview with Chrissie. She sounds more miserable than my 90 year old granfather. What a waste.

Kim on the other hand sounds like a 17 year old and I love it. Don't ever age, Kim. And I agree Kim Deal and the Breeders need to do a remake of Aubrey or a Bread song.