Last week, Kim Shattuck expressed “shock” at being fired from Pixies. Shattuck’s replacement is Paz Lenchatin, who has previously played with Zwan and A Perfect Circle.

Speaking to Yahoo, Black Francis has spoken about the hirings and firings.

Black Francis said: “The big question mark is, if it was going so well, why are you changing it up again? I guess it’s a fair question, but what I would say is, just because some shows went well or a recording session went well with somebody, that doesn’t mean that now you guys are married and this is forever. It’s not really how it works when you’re a band. And it’s hard to explain to people, especially if they get emotionally attached to one person.”

He continues: “Frankly, you don’t want to explain it to anybody – it’s a lot of its personal, private shit. It’s like politics and sports and people’s personal lives have all been smeared together in this modern world. It’s a very presumptuous attitude about a lot of things. [People say], ‘Oh you’re shifting something in your world – we demand a statement as to why.’ I’m not the mayor, this isn’t the bus service for a town. This is a rock band.

“There’s been a shift in the lineup, big woop-dee-doo… as far as we’re concerned it ain’t that big of a deal.”

On announcing Lenchatin’s new role, Pixies drummer Dave Lovering said, “Working with different bass players is very new for the band, but we’re having a great time doing it.”

Photo: Ed Miles/NME