Of all of alt-rock's great pioneers, the Pixies may have the wackiest DNA. Their angsty punk tendencies can be traced to Iggy Pop's raw, relentless rock as well as Black Flag's thrashing bursts of existentialism, while their catchy melodies share The Cars' carefree bounce and the Talking Heads' fidgety art-pop sensibilities. Throw in The Ventures' surf-rock licks and Captain Beefheart's surreal garage rock, and you've got one weird, wild child.