Kim’s name probably doesn’t bring up any particular memories until I mention the band she formed in the early Nineties, the Muffs. Then you’d recall their only “hit,” a cover of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America” from the Clueless soundtrack.
There was much more to Kim for me. I stumbled upon the Muffs through a Christmas compilation as they covered “Nothing For Me.” Her bratty, nearly screeching voice really captured the raw emotional pain a kid would feel if Santa stiffed them. However, she didn’t do this to the point you wanted to plug your ears like whenever Courtney Love opens her mouth. No, Kim knew how to do this in moderation, thus I owned a couple more Muffs albums and enjoyed what they did.
Several years ago, Kim joined the Pixies as their bassist. When I heard, I was thrilled, I figured she was a great match. Nope. The band fired her because she was “too enthusiastic,” a description I would never associate with the Pixies and I guess they wanted to maintain their rather blah stage presence. They do get a few points back for letting Weird Al join them once.
Thanks for everything Kim! I’m glad you managed to be strong enough to complete a final Muffs album before passing away. Your energy and humor will be greatly missed.