Iconic bassist Kim Deal has quit the Pixies. Deal, who will play in Dublin's Vicar Street tonight to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Breeders' Last Splash, joined the Pixies in January 1986 and had been an off-and-on member ever since (aside, of course, from the band's extensive hiatus which began in 1993 and lasted 11 years).

A statement from the Pixies today read:

We are sad to say that Kim Deal has decided to leave the Pixies. We are very proud to have worked with her on and off over the last 25 years. Despite her decision to move on, we will always consider her a member of the Pixies, and her place will always be here for her. We wish her all the best.

- Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering

The Pixies toured heavily after their reformation, especially in 2009 in celebration of their landmark album 1989's Doolittle but now, at age 52, Kim Deal has apparently seen fit to put that phase of her musical life to bed.