Joey Santiago

Early Life and Education

Joseph Alberto Santiago was born on June 10, 1965, in Manila, Philippines, as the third of six sons in a family led by an anesthesiologist. In 1972, amidst political turmoil, the Santiago family immigrated to the United States, initially settling in Yonkers, New York, before moving to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It was here that Santiago's musical journey began; he first encountered a Hammond organ at age eight but gravitated towards the guitar at nine, inspired by a classical guitar hanging on his brother's wall. His early musical influences included The Velvet Underground, from whom he learned his first song, "Rock and Roll." After graduating from Wilbraham & Monson Academy in 1983, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he met Charles Thompson, who would later become the frontman of the Pixies.

Career

In January 1986, Santiago co-founded the alternative rock band Pixies with Thompson, dropping out of college to pursue music full-time. The band quickly gained traction, signing with the independent label 4AD and releasing their debut EP, "Come On Pilgrim," which showcased Santiago's distinctive angular guitar style. Their subsequent albums, "Surfer Rosa" and "Doolittle," solidified their place in rock history, although internal tensions led to the band's breakup in 1993. Following this, Santiago explored various musical avenues, producing scores for film and television and forming The Martinis with his ex-wife, Linda Mallari. In 2004, he reunited with the Pixies, reclaiming his role as lead guitarist and continuing to influence the alternative rock scene.

Musical Style

Santiago's guitar playing is characterized by its angularity and innovative use of distortion and feedback, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. He describes his style as derived from moments that resonate with him, often reflecting a self-conscious amateurism despite his significant contributions to music. His unique approach has left a lasting impact on the alternative rock genre, particularly through his work with the Pixies.

Personal Life

Santiago resides in Los Angeles and is a father of two. After facing challenges with alcohol and drug issues, he sought rehabilitation in 2016 and has since embraced sobriety, focusing on his family and music career.