Bilinda Butcher

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Bilinda Butcher performing with My Bloody Valentine in 1989.
Bilinda Butcher performing with My Bloody Valentine in 1989.

Bilinda Jayne Butcher (born September 16, 1961 in London) is the vocalist/guitarist for the rock band My Bloody Valentine. Previously a fan of the group, Butcher joined in 1987 replacing original vocalist Dave Conway. She first appeared on MBV's Strawberry Wine. While Kevin Shields is MBV's principal guitarist, producer, and songwriter, Butcher's vocals became a trademark of the band's ethereal, yet dissonant sound. Along with Shields, Butcher also shares lyric writing and guitar duties for the band.

The band released the influential albums Isn't Anything in 1988 and Loveless in 1991 to international critical acclaim. Following Loveless, MBV became mostly inactive except for the occasional remix, or song contribution for compilations. In November 2007, the band announced reuniting for tour dates in 2008, and plans for releasing recordings. Shields mentioned in an interview on Soft Focus UK (www.VBS.tv) with Ian Svenonius in November 2007 that he and Butcher had recorded songs in the mid-90's, and they plan to use those recordings for a full-length album, as well as record an additional album of new material.

[edit] Work Outside My Bloody Valentine

Prior to joining MBV, Butcher studied dance at Laban College [1], but she had dropped out after a year due to developing a case of cystitis. She explained to the Melody Maker that, "I had to keep going to the loo, and I couldn't get my leotard on and off quick enough. I missed all of the classes." [2]

Sometime during MBV's hiatus, Butcher was rumored to be teaching flamenco dancing.

Butcher contributed lead vocals to two tracks on Collapsed Lung's album "Cooler" in 1996. She also provided backing vocals to a track on the 1997 Dinosaur Jr. album "Hand It Over."

[edit] Personal life

During My Bloody Valentine's active years in the late 80s/early 90s, Butcher and Kevin Shields had a relationship. Butcher has two children, a son named Toby (c.1985) from an earlier marriage, and a daughter (c.2004). According to a 2005 interview with Buddyhead.com, Shields said that "She has a couple of kids. Her boyfriend is a musician, they make some music together. But mainly she’s just a housewife."

[edit] References

  1. ^ Barron, Jack. "Dream Demons", NME, December 10, 1988. 
  2. ^ The Stud Brothers. "The Sweetest Abrasion", Melody Maker, January 4, 1992. 
Persondata
NAME Butcher, Bilinda Jayne
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION British musician
DATE OF BIRTH September 16, 1961
PLACE OF BIRTH London, England
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Languages