The Pixies co-founders and remaining members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering have confirmed Kim Deal's departure from the band.

The announcement was posted on their official Facebook page:

"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."

Deal became part of the Pixies in 1986 after being the only person to respond to Black's advertisement in the Boston Phoenix seeking for a bassist who was into folk music legends Peter, Paul and Mary and hardcore punk band Husker Du.

The band broke up in 1993 and Deal went on to concentrate with her other band, The Breeders. The Pixies reunited in 2004 and did a series of festival appearances and extensively toured from 2009 to 2011 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their seminal second album, Doolittle.

The Pixies first played in Australia in 2007 for V Festival and twice in 2010 for their Doolittle tour and Splendour in the Grass music festival.

According to Spin, the group is currently working on a limited edition photo book curated by Sean T. Rayburn, co-founder of the Pixies' official website. Dubbed as "Pixies: A Visual History", the photo book will contain images and anecdotes of the band from their early years up to their breakup in 1993.

Deal has not released a statement regarding her exit from the band. She is currently on tour with The Breeders to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their sophomore album, 1993's Last Splash.

Check out the Breeders' 2013 tour dates in Australia:

26 October - Melbourne (All Tomorrow's Parties Music Festival)
28 October - Sydney (Enmore Theatre)
29 October - Brisbane (Tivoli Theatre)
31 October - Perth (Astor Theatre)