How The Breeders Revolutionized Music with a Sewing Machine Sample
In the world of rock music, inspiration can sneak up from the oddest places. One such twist? The Breeders using a sewing machine as an instrument on their iconic album, *Last Splash*.
This unexpected move didn’t just add a quirky touch to their sound—it actually became part of rock history. Let’s dig into how the sewing machine found its way onto *Last Splash* and why it still matters.
Table of Contents
The Birth of *Last Splash*
When *Last Splash* dropped in the summer of 1993, it immediately captured the ’90s alternative rock vibe. The cover, all bold reds and greens, and tracks like *Cannonball* really nailed the era’s blend of grunge, noise pop, and indie rock.
Kim Deal led The Breeders as vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. The band’s reputation for mixing things up creatively was already well established by then.
Formation and Early Days
Kim Deal started The Breeders in 1989 while she was still the Pixies’ bassist. She wanted a space for her own ideas, so she formed a side project.
By the time *Last Splash* was in the works, the lineup had settled: Kim’s sister Kelley on guitar, Josephine Wiggs on bass, and Jim MacPherson on drums. They began with demos at Cro-Magnon Studios in Dayton, Ohio, then shifted to Coast Recorders in San Francisco.
The Sewing Machine’s Unlikely Debut
One of the album’s strangest and coolest moments comes from the song *SOS*. Kelley Deal brought her sewing machine to the studio, planning to make a quilt for their mom during downtime.
But the sound of the machine caught Kim’s ear. She thought, why not use it in a song? They ended up building an instrumental track around its rhythmic whirring.
Recording *SOS*
They ran the sewing machine through a Marshall amp, giving it a weirdly satisfying, gritty sound. It fit right alongside the heavy bass and guitar parts on *SOS*.
Some folks say the track has echoes of Iggy and the Stooges’ *I Wanna Be Your Dog*. The Breeders always had a knack for mashing up different ideas and making them work together.
Legacy and Influence
The sewing machine didn’t just fade into obscurity after the album. In 1996, The Prodigy sampled the looped, wah-wah riff from *SOS* for their massive hit *Firestarter*.
This crossover from rock to electronic music was pretty wild. Kim Deal even got songwriting credits for *Firestarter*, which, let’s be honest, is a pretty sweet nod to her creativity.
Further Sampling and Recognition
The Prodigy didn’t stop there. They sampled *I Just Wanna Get Along* from *Last Splash* for their song *World’s on Fire* on the 2009 album *Invaders Must Die*.
These samples brought The Breeders’ music to a whole new crowd. The sewing machine’s place in rock history? I’d say it’s secure.
The Breeders’ Unique Approach to Music
During the making of *Last Splash*, The Breeders thrived on collaboration and experimentation. Violinist Carrie Bradley remembered the band always tossing around ideas about arrangements, dynamics, and effects.
This kind of open-mindedness made space for oddball ideas—like using a sewing machine in a song. Not every band would even consider that.
Innovative Spirit
The Breeders didn’t shy away from trying new things. If something wasn’t working, they’d move rooms, turn off the lights, or even take a lap around the studio.
It’s that restless creativity that makes *Last Splash* stick with people. The album just refuses to play it safe, and honestly, that’s what makes it so memorable.
The story behind the sewing machine in The Breeders’ Last Splash is honestly pretty wild. Inspiration really does show up in the weirdest places sometimes.
This odd little detail gave the album a vibe you just don’t find anywhere else. It stuck with people and left its mark on the music scene, no question.
The Breeders always seemed up for trying something new, even if it meant breaking a few rules. That boldness? It’s a big part of what makes their legacy so interesting.
Curious about how a sewing machine ended up in Last Splash? Check out the full story at Far Out Magazine.