Sleater-Kinney

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Sleater-Kinney

L to R: Janet Weiss, Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker
Origin Portland, Oregon
Country United States
Years active 1995–2006
Genres Alternative rock
Indie rock
Punk rock
Labels Chainsaw (1995—1996)
Kill Rock Stars (1997—2002)
Sub Pop (2005)
Members Corin Tucker
Carrie Brownstein
Janet Weiss
Past members Lora McFarlane
Toni Gogin
Misty Farrell
Website(s) www.sleater-kinney.com

Sleater-Kinney (pronounced SLAY'ter KIN'ee) was an indie rock trio originally from Olympia, Washington influenced by the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 offramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces.

On June 27, 2006, the band announced their indefinite hiatus from performing and recording.

Contents

[edit] Band history

The band emerged from the riot grrrl movement with their self-titled debut, Sleater-Kinney on Chainsaw Records in 1995. They followed this with Call the Doctor (1996) and Dig Me Out (1997). 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. Their next few albums pushed the band towards mainstream listeners, culminating in 2002's One Beat. The band, however, remained fiercely faithful to their indie rock and feminist roots. Most of their albums since Call the Doctor have been released through the independent record label Kill Rock Stars. Their seventh album, The Woods, has been released on Sub Pop Records.

The band was founded by Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein. Janet Weiss (of Quasi) has played drums since Dig Me Out. Previous drummers include Lora Macfarlane (who appeared on Sleater-Kinney and Call the Doctor), Misty Farrell and Toni Gogin.

Both Carrie and Corin played guitar. Although Sleater-Kinney had no bass player, Corin played a baritone guitar, often filling the same role as a bass guitar player would, and Carrie tuned her guitar one step down. Corin Tucker was formerly in the influential riot grrrl band Heavens to Betsy. Carrie was formerly in the queercore band Excuse 17. Along with performing in Sleater-Kinney, Corin also was a member of the band Cadallaca with Sarah Dougher (formerly of The Lookers). In a recent interview, however, Corin told the public "not to hold [their] breath for a new Cadallaca album."

In 2000, all three members of Sleater-Kinney assisted Robert Forster and Grant McLennan of the now-defunct Brisbane indie band The Go-Betweens to record the album The Friends of Rachel Worth.

The group opened for Pearl Jam at many North American shows beginning in 2003. The experience of playing to large arenas was cited by the band as part of the inspiration and motivation for the music found on The Woods.

[edit] Break-up

On June 27, 2006, the band announced an indefinite hiatus, stating there were "no plans for future tours or recordings." No explanation for the hiatus was given. The band's last appearance was at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon on August 12, 2006.

[edit] Media Response to Break-Up

[edit] Discography

Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss and Corin Tucker (L-R)
Enlarge
Carrie Brownstein, Janet Weiss and Corin Tucker (L-R)

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles

[edit] 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

[edit] Samples

[edit] External links