Breeders rocker the real deal

By Drew Fortune

From the moment that Kim Deal gets on the line from her home in Dayton, Ohio, it’s obvious that her mind is going in a million different directions. There is loud clatter in the background. Suddenly, Kim yells at Kelley, her twin sister and fellow Breeder, “Give me one of those.” Kim exhales, the sound of lungs abused by years of cigarettes and screaming in the Pixies and the Breeders. Then it’s quiet, and Kim becomes immediately energized, as if she hasn’t given a million interviews in her life.

MCT

The alternative rock band the Breeders, from left, Kelley Deal, Jose Medeles, Kim Deal, Mando Lopez pose for a photo. (Chris Glass/MCT)

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The 48-year-old Deal has been lugging gear for a long time, and her work with the hugely influential Pixies and indie icons the Breeders and the Amps has made her a legend. Her rock ’n’ roll excesses and volatile attitude also are legend, as Kim used to put the big boys to shame when it came to partying. Then it got dark, as Kelley battled severe heroin addiction and Kim checked into rehab for drug and alcohol issues in 2002. At the moment, the Breeders are in full-tilt boogie mode, self releasing the recent four-song EP “Fate to Fatal.” Given the woefully sporadic nature of Breeders releases (only four in 18 years) it’s encouraging to see the new EP hot on the heels of 2008’s “Mountain Battles.” The Pixies also reunited for a headlining slot at the Isle of Wight Festival in June, and are re-issuing their five studio albums in limited edition and deluxe edition collector’s sets. During our interview, Deal never seems relaxed, her mind never slows and my only recourse is to try and keep up.

Q: You’ve got a pretty busy summer. How do you handle traveling and a busy schedule? Do you prefer your downtime more? A: I’m like everybody, I guess. I like a little of each. I just got back from L.A. yesterday. I was out there with David (Lovering) and Joe (Santiago) from the Pixies and I was playing bass guitar because I need a separate set of calluses. Me and David were at Joe’s studio going through the set. I landed there on Monday and we went through the stuff that night, and I flew back today, and now I’m setting up for Breeders stuff, so pretty much it’s the same thing, except for different instruments and different band members and different songs. But it’s pretty much the same thing for me as I’m getting gear together ... it’s always about getting gear together.

Q:. Is it hard to shift into Pixies mode? A: No, because it’s all just amplifiers and gear.

Q: Does life get more interesting being sober? A: When I first got sober, one thing I noticed was how (expletive) long the day is, man. Oh, my God, it was incredible. The first year I would just sit there and go, “Oh my God, this day lasts for-(expletive) ever. It’s still not over!” And of course I could barely move out of the room, not because I was sick or anything, but because I just didn’t know what to do with myself. ... But around after two years, it does get better, like you never know what’s going to happen.

Q: What is happiness to you, and have you found it at this stage in your life? A: What is happiness? Oh, that’s a good question. Um, I think I read it in some book that happiness is contentment, or happiness is the desire for nothing. Isn’t that Buddhist? I think that’s the goal is to have no desires, and that’s where happiness lies.

Q: Are you religious? A: Well, I’m watching “Battlestar Galactica” a lot right now, so I want to believe in the Gods. All of them. (laughs)