David Lovering, the sole drummer for alt-rock legends Pixies since their inception in 1986, has played on all of the band’s albums, including iconic releases like Surfer Rosa and Doolittle. With the upcoming release of their latest LP, The Night the Zombies Came, set for October 25th, Lovering has shared a list of 10 influential albums that have shaped his approach to drumming.
Lovering first picked up the drums in elementary school in Massachusetts. “In second grade, the public school offered recorder, drums, and violin,” he recalls. “I chose drums. I don’t know why, but I’ve played ever since.”
Most albums on Lovering’s list were released during the mid-to-late ’70s, a formative period for him in high school. He highlights several hometown heroes, including The Cars, Boston, and Aerosmith.
Pixies are set to support Pearl Jam in Australia and New Zealand this November, followed by a headlining UK and European tour in the spring. Fans can pre-order The Night the Zombies Came and check out Lovering’s list below.
The Cars – The Cars (David Robinson) “The Cars is probably my favorite group of all time. When that album came out in ’78, it was huge for me. The instrumentation blew me away, and being a Boston band gave me hope as a drummer, thinking maybe I could make it in a band someday.”
Steely Dan – The Royal Scam (Bernard Purdie, Rick Marotta) “This was my favorite Steely Dan album. The musicianship and impeccable drumming inspired me greatly. I eventually learned the ‘Purdie Shuffle,’ which took me years.”
Chicago – Chicago V (Danny Seraphine) “Chicago’s blend of rock and horns captivated me. Danny Seraphine was integral to their sound, and I enjoyed playing along with their songs.”
Boston – Boston (Sib Hashian, Jim Masdea) “This album came out when I was a freshman in high school. The massive hits ingrained themselves in me, and I learned almost every song.”
AC/DC – Highway to Hell (Phil Rudd) “Highway to Hell was another monumental album. Phil Rudd’s drumming was essential to AC/DC’s sound, and I loved learning the heavy songs.”
Aerosmith – Rocks (Joey Kramer) “Rocks was the Aerosmith album I loved most. I took drum lessons at the time, and we ended up learning the songs while also enjoying skateboarding together.”
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (John Bonham) “John Bonham had a significant impact on my playing style, especially with triplets. I learned a lot from his techniques, even if they weren’t always appropriate for Pixies music.”
RUSH – A Farewell to Kings (Neil Peart) “This album changed my life. I became a RUSH fanatic after discovering it, and Neil Peart’s drumming pushed me to learn more complex rhythms, though it took time to adjust to the simplicity needed for Pixies songs.”
Billy Joel – 52nd Street (Liberty DeVitto) “This was a massive album for me in high school. Liberty DeVitto’s drumming perfectly complemented every song, and I found it inspiring.”
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Damn the Torpedoes (Stan Lynch) “This album was influential in my youth. Stan Lynch’s drumming was integral to the songs, and his style was something I could relate to and learn from.”
David Lovering’s reflections reveal the diverse musical influences that have shaped his drumming career, culminating in his unique contributions to Pixies.
