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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Sleater-Kinney| image = Sleater-Kinney.jpg| caption = Sleater-Kinney in 2005. (Photo by Tyler Craft)| background = group_or_band| origin = Olympia, Washington , United States | genre = Riot grrrl , punk rock | years_active = 1994–2006| label = Chainsaw Records|Chainsaw , Kill Rock Stars , Sub Pop | associated_acts = Cadallaca , Excuse 17 , Heavens to Betsy , ninetynine , Quasi , The Spells , Mary Timony , Pearl Jam , Wild Flag , The Corin Tucker Band | website = URL| http://www.sleater-kinney.com| past_members = Corin Tucker Carrie Brownstein Janet Weiss Lora McFarlane Toni Gogin Misty Farrell Sleater-Kinney (IPAc-en|icon|'|s|l|ei|t|@r|'|k|I|n|i:respell|SLAY|t?r|KIN|eePronounced by Terry Gross at time offset 0m20s and by a band member at 12m27s, in NPR Fresh Air episode http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=4783586 "Sleater-Kinney Go into 'The Woods'", 3 August 2005, retrieved 27 April 2011.) was an alternative rock band that formed in 1994 in Olympia, Washington . The group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off rampCite news |url= http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampatribune/access/323815131.html? dids=323815131:323815131& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Apr+11%2C+2003& author=CURTIS+ROSS& pub=Tampa+Tribune& desc=Sleater-Kinney+Backs+Message+With+Meaningful+Rock& pqatl=google |title=Sleater-Kinney backs message with meaningful rock |date=11 April 2003 |publisher=Tampa Tribune |first=Curtis |last=Ross #108 in Lacey, Washington , the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a noted part of the " riot grrrl " and indie rock scenes in the Pacific Northwest . The band was known for its feminist and left-wing|left -leaning politics.cite web|last=Ankeny |first=Jason |url=Allmusic|class=artist |id=p200108 |pure_url=yes |title=Sleater-Kinney |publisher=AllMusic |date=2005-05-19 |accessdate=2011-10-30
History
Sleater-Kinney was formed in early 1994 in Olympia, Washington , by Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein . Tucker was formerly in the influential riot grrrl band Heavens to Betsy , while Brownstein was formerly in the queercore band Excuse 17 . They often played at gigs together and formed Sleater-Kinney as a side-project from their respective bands. When Heavens to Betsy and Excuse 17 disbanded, Sleater-Kinney became their primary focus. Janet Weiss of Quasi was the band's first drummer, though Sleater-Kinney has had other drummers, including Lora Macfarlane , Misty Farrell, and Toni Gogin.
Upon Tucker's graduation from Evergreen State College (where Brownstein remained a student for three more years), she and then-girlfriend Brownstein took a trip to Australia in early 1994. Their last day there, they stayed up all night recording what would become their Sleater-Kinney (album)|self-titled debut album . http://sleater-kinney.net/index.php? go=library_spin_june05 Sleater-Kinney.Netdead link|date=October 2011 It was released the following spring. They followed this with Call the Doctor (1996) and Dig Me Out (1997), and became critical darlings as a result.
Their next few albums pushed the band towards mainstream listeners, culminating in 2002's One Beat . The group opened for Pearl Jam at many North American shows beginning in 2003, and the band cited the experience of playing to large arenas as part of the inspiration and motivation for the music found on their last album, The Woods (album)|The Woods . The Woods was released in 2005, and was a departure from the sound of their previous albums. In its place, The Woods featured a denser, heavily distorted sound that drew on classic rock as its inspiration. In 2006 they helped to curate an edition of the British All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties festival.
Renowned critics Greil Marcus and Robert Christgau have each praised Sleater-Kinney as one of the essential rock groups of the late 90s/early 00s. Marcus named Sleater-Kinney America's best rock band in a 2001 issue of Time magazine .
Musical style
Sleater-Kinney's musical style sprang from and was rooted in Olympia, Washington's fertile punk and independent rock scenes of the early- to mid-1990s, forming around the last years of the riot grrrl movement, and with Tucker and Brownstein coming from veteran acts from the beginning of the movement. Their sound incorporates personal and social themes along with stripped-down music that was influenced by punk movement|punk and the free-thinking ideals of 1980s-1990s alternative rock|alternative and indie rock . They experimented with this foundation by bringing in different instruments and arrangements.cite web|last=Huey |first=Steve |url=Allmusic|class=album |id=r596134 |pure_url=yes |title=One Beat - Sleater-Kinney |publisher=AllMusic |date=2002-08-20 |accessdate=2011-10-30 Sleater-Kinney have named influences such as Bikini Kill , Mecca Normal , Bratmobile , Throwing Muses and Sonic Youth . Corin Tucker's emotional vocalscite web|last=Ankeny |first=Jason |url=Allmusic|class=album |id=r259457 |pure_url=yes |title=Dig Me Out - Sleater-Kinney |publisher=AllMusic |date=1997-04-08 |accessdate=2011-10-30 and the band's lyrics alternate between personal and political topics, rebelling anti-war|against war , traditional values|traditionalism , gender roles and consumerism from feminism|feminist and social liberalism|progressive perspectives. Sleater-Kinney contributed the protest song "Off With Your Head" to NOFX leader Fat Mike 's Rock Against Bush compilation.
In a documentary about riot grrrl , Tucker revealed that her vocal style has always been intentionally harsh to suit the band's message and to demand focus from the listener,cite web|url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=4lDJZJRXwF8 |title=Corin Tucker Interview |publisher=YouTube |date=2007-04-29 |accessdate=2011-10-30 and her vocals have been described by Allmusic critic Heather Phares as "love-them-or-hate-them vocals."cite web|last=Phares |first=Heather |url=Allmusic|class=album |id=r738904 |pure_url=yes |title=The Woods - Sleater-Kinney |publisher=AllMusic |date=2005-05-24 |accessdate=2011-10-30 At the beginning of the band's career, lead vocals were often performed by Tucker, though as the band progressed, Brownstein began to appear more as a vocalist. Both Brownstein and Tucker played guitar, with Brownstein usually handling lead guitar|lead and Tucker performing rhythm guitar|rhythm . Although Sleater-Kinney had no bass guitar|bass player, both Tucker and Brownstein tuned their guitars one and a half steps down ("C# tuning"), and Tucker's tone and style enabled her to fill the same role as a bass guitar.
Hiatus
On June 27, 2006, the band announced an indefinite hiatus, stating there were "no plans for future tours or recordings". Sleater-Kinney's last major public show was at the 2006 Lollapalooza music festival. They did not play an encore. The band's last appearance was at the Crystal Ballroom (Portland, Oregon)|Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon , on August 12, 2006. No explanation for the hiatus was given, but it is widely believed to be because Tucker wanted to concentrate on raising her child. In a May 2005 interview, Janet Weiss stated, "Corin's hurdles were my biggest hurdles. Her pulling away from the band was the hardest thing for me as far as writing music. She said in a recent interview that she thinks about quitting every week - and that's heavy for me, 'cause this is all I want to do." http://sleater-kinney.net/index.php? go=library_rock_decade Sleater-Kinney.Netdead link|date=October 2011
Tucker had previously hinted in interviews that Sleater-Kinney might become inactive soon. In a 2005 interview with Bust (magazine)|Bust magazine, she was asked how she would handle touring when her young son started school, and she replied that she didn't even know if they would make another record after The Woods . http://sleater-kinney.net/gallery/displayimage.php? album=32& pos=3 dead link|date=October 2011
In an interview from March 17, 2010, Carrie Brownstein claimed that Sleater-Kinney may reunite and release an album "sometime in the next five years."
Collaborations
In 1998, the band recorded "Big Big Lights", the first split single (with Cypher in the Snow ) in the series of recordings dealing with women's self-defense entitled Free to Fight , and released on Candy Ass Records .
In 1999, Carrie Brownstein recorded a four-song vinyl EP titled The Age of Backwards with Mary Timony in a duo called The Spells.
In 2000, all three members of Sleater-Kinney assisted Robert Forster (musician)|Robert Forster and Grant McLennan of the now-defunct Brisbane indie band The Go-Betweens to record the album The Friends of Rachel Worth .
In 2003, the band recorded the song " Angry Inch " with Fred Schneider of The B-52's for the Hedwig and the Angry Inch (musical)|Hedwig and the Angry Inch charity tribute album Wig in a Box . Proceeds for the album went to the Harvey Milk School , a school for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Along with performing in Sleater-Kinney, Tucker also was a member of the band Cadallaca with Sarah Dougher and sts (both formerly of The Lookers ). In a recent interview, however, she told people "not to hold their breath for a new Cadallaca album." Tucker also featured on Eddie Vedder 's (Pearl Jam) solo album Into the Wild (soundtrack)|Into the Wild , where she performed vocals on the track "Hard Sun" along with Vedder. In 2008, Tucker collaborated again with Vedder on a cover of John Doe (musician)|John Doe 's The Golden State on Doe's Golden State EP .
Discography
Albums
Sleater-Kinney (album)|Sleater-Kinney (1995)& nbsp;– Chainsaw Records
Call the Doctor (1996)& nbsp;– Chainsaw Records
Dig Me Out (1997)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
The Hot Rock (album)|The Hot Rock (1999)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
All Hands on the Bad One (2000)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
One Beat (2002)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
The Woods (album)|The Woods (2005)& nbsp;– Sub Pop|Sub Pop Records
Singles
"You Ain't It/Surf Song" (1994)& nbsp;– Villa Villakula Records
"One More Hour" (1997)& nbsp;– Matador Records
"Little Babies" (1997)& nbsp;– Matador Records
"A Quarter To Three" (1997)& nbsp;– Matador Records
"Big Big Lights" (1998)& nbsp;– Candy Ass Records
Get Up (Sleater-Kinney song)|"Get Up" (1999)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
"You're No Rock 'n' Roll Fun" (2000)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars
"Entertain" (2005)& nbsp;– Sub Pop
"Jumpers" (2005)& nbsp;– Sub Pop
Compilation album tracks
"Big Big Lights" on Free To Fight 7" split 45 (1996)& nbsp;– Candyass/Chainsaw (USA, CDR028)
"Dance Song '97" (live) on Yoyo A Gogo 1997 (1997)& nbsp;– Yoyo (USA, YOYO10)
"I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" on All Over Me (soundtrack, 1997)& nbsp;– n/a (USA, TVT8110-2)
"Banned From the End of the World" on Everything Is Nice (1999)& nbsp;– Matador (USA, OLE400)
"Banned From the End of the World" (live) on Yoyo A Gogo 1999 (1999)& nbsp;– Yoyo (USA, YOYO18)
"The Ballad of a Ladyman" on ''Turbo's Tunes (2000)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars (USA, KRS319)
"The End of You" on After the Fair: 21st Century Women (2000)& nbsp;– K-Tel (USA)
"Maraca" on Group (soundtrack, 2000)& nbsp;– Yoyo (USA, YOYO21)
"What If I Was Right? " on ''Jackson's Jukebox (2000) & nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars (USA, KRS354).
"Off With Your Head" on Future Soundtrack for America (2002)& nbsp;– Barsuk (USA, BARK37)
"Combat Rock" on Peace Not War (Vol. 1) (2003)& nbsp;– Platinum (UK, PNW1CDX).
"Angry Inch" on Wig in a Box|Wig in a Box: Songs from and Inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2003)& nbsp;– Off (USA, OFF994)
"Oh!" on ''Mollie's Mix (2003)& nbsp;– Kill Rock Stars (USA, KRS382)
"Off with Your Head" on Rock Against Bush Vol. 2 (2004)& nbsp;– Fat Wreck (USA, FAT677).
""Entertain" on Songbook of Songs (2005)& nbsp;– Sub Pop (USA, SP0676)
"Turn It On" on '' Whatever: The '90s Pop & Culture Box (2005)& nbsp;– Rhino (USA)
"Jumpers" (live) on Live at KEXP, Vol. II (2006)& nbsp;– KEXP Seattle (USA)
"Ballad of a Ladyman" (live) on Calling All Kings & Queens (2006) & nbsp;– Mr. Lady Records (USA, MRLR15). (Also on this CD is a cover version of Sleater-Kinney's "I'm Not Waiting", by Kiki & Herb.)
"Step Aside" on Safe Haven (2006)& nbsp;– Cherchez la Femme (USA)
"Jumpers" (live) on The L Word: Season Three (soundtrack, 2006)& nbsp;– Tommy Boy (USA)
"Fortunate Son" (live) and "Step Aside" on Wed-Rock (2006)& nbsp;– Centaurmusic (USA)
"You're No Rock 'N Roll Fun" (live) on Metro: The Official Bootleg Series, Volume 1 (2010)(USA)
Music videos
"Get Up" (1999) Directed by Miranda July
"You're No Rock 'n' Roll Fun" (2000) Directed by Brett Vapnek
"Entertain" (2005) Directed by Molly & Mariah
"Jumpers" (2005) Directed by Matt McCormick
Chart positions
Albums
Year
Album
US Billboard 200
Heatseekers (US)
Top Independent Albums (US)
Top Internet Albums (US)
UK Albums
1999
The Hot Rock (album)
181
12
-
-
-
2000
All Hands on the Bad One
177
12
-
-
156
2002
One Beat
107
2
5
-
-
2005
The Woods (album)
80
-
2
80
-
Singles
Year
Title
Album
UK Singles
1998
"One More Hour"
Dig Me Out
153
1998
"Little Babies"
Dig Me Out
147
1999
"A Quarter To Three"
The Hot Rock (album)
157
1999
"Get Up"
The Hot Rock (album)
111
2000
"You're No Rock 'n' Roll Fun"
All Hands on the Bad One
94
2005
"Entertain"
The Woods (album)
—
2005
"Jumpers"
The Woods (album)
—
References
reflist|2
External links
http://www.sleater-kinney.com/ Official site
http://www.sleater-kinney.net/ Sleater-Kinney.net Comprehensive fan site & archive
http://www.trht.net/artist/Sleater-Kinney Sleater-Kinney at The Rock Hard Times, comprehensive discography, music videos, mp3s
Sleater-Kinney Category:All-female bands Category:American indie rock groups Category:Kill Rock Stars artists Category:Sub Pop artists Category:Musical groups from Washington (state) Category:Riot grrrl Category:Third-wave feminism Category:Musical trios Category:Musical groups established in 1995 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2006 Category:Musical groups from Portland, Oregon
