Gossip (band)

Gossip
Gossip performing at Super Bock Super Rock 2007 Festival in Portugal
Background information
Origin	Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Indie rock, dance-punk, post-punk, garage rock (early)
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Back Yard Recordings Kill Rock Stars K Dim Mak Columbia
Associated acts	Le Tigre The Blood Brothers
Website	www.gossipyouth.com
Members
Beth Ditto Brace Paine Hannah Blilie
Past members
Kathy Mendonca

Gossip (formerly The Gossip) is a three-piece American indie rock band formed in 1999. The band consists of singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie^[1]. After releasing several recordings, the band broke through with their 2006 studio album, Standing in the Way of Control (2006). A follow-up, Music for Men, was released in 2009.

The band plays a mix of post punk indie rock and dance-punk and are a strong advocate for gay rights^[2].

History

Formation and early history

Gossip was formed in 1999 in Olympia, Washington with vocalist Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell and drummer Kathy Mendonca.^[3] All three were originally from Arkansas; Mendonca moved to Olympia to attend Evergreen State College and Howdeshell and Ditto followed.^[3] Howdeshell and Mendonca had been in bands together in Arkansas.^[4] The band coalesced when the three members were roommates in Olympia.^[3]

In 1999 the independent record label K Records released Gossip's first recording, their eponymous debut EP, The Gossip to coincide with the band's tour with Sleater-Kinney.^[3] The band played at the first Ladyfest in Olympia in August 2000 and was included in Time Magazine's article on the festival.^[5]

Their next release was their first album That's Not What I Heard and was released by the record label Kill Rock Stars on January 23, 2001. In between that release and their second album, they released the EP Arkansas Heat on May 7, 2002. Movement, the group's second studio album, followed one year later and was released on May 6, 2003. In November 2003, two months after the release of their first live album Undead in NYC on September 9, drummer Kathy Mendonca left the band to pursue a career as a midwife. Established punk drummer Hannah Blilie joined to replace her. The band then dropped the "The" from their name and continued simply as Gossip.

The first release featuring new drummer Hannah Blilie was the band's next album Standing in the Way of Control. It was released on January 24, 2006 on Kill Rock Stars and later on in 2006 on UK independent label Back Yard Recordings.

Mainstream success and moving to a major label

Performing at London Barfly, 16 May 2007

The album Standing in the Way of Control has since earned Gold Record Status in the UK. Gossip's first UK TV appearance was on BBC1's Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, where they performed "Standing in the Way of Control".

Performing at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland in 2006

As reported on Pitchfork Media in March 2007, the group signed to Music With a Twist, a subsidiary of Sony Music Label Group, concentrating on LGBT music acts.^[6] During the summer of 2007, Gossip was a part of the multi-artist True Colors Tour 2007,^[7] which traveled through 15 cities in the United States and Canada. The tour, sponsored by the Logo channel, began on June 8, 2007. Hosted by comedian Margaret Cho and headlined by Cyndi Lauper, the tour also included Debbie Harry, Erasure, Rufus Wainwright, The Dresden Dolls, The MisShapes, The Cliks and other special guests. Profits from the tour went to benefit the Human Rights Campaign.

Gossip are based in Portland, Oregon and have played with bands such as Sleater-Kinney, Le Tigre, CSS, Erase Errata, Mika Miko, Panther, Comanechi, and Mates of State. Gossip also opened for the Scissor Sisters for three dates on their November 2006 tour.

On June 24, 2007 Gossip closed the Glastonbury Festival, playing the final set on the John Peel stage during which Ditto gave a tribute to the late John Peel. Gossip also performed the following year, on the Pyramid Stage.

Gossip launched the Live in Liverpool album in the UK and the U.S. in April 2008. The album was produced by Rick Rubin. The album also features a DVD of their live performance. A new studio album called Music For Men was released in June 2009.

Musical style

Their style has been described as "a soul or gospel" voice with "a sort of funky punk soundtrack".^[8] The band stated a liking for post-punk bands Birthday Party and Siouxsie And The Banshees^[9] but also for other genres like dance and hip hop.^[10]

Discography

Studio albums

• That's Not What I Heard (2000)
• Movement (2003)
• Standing in the Way of Control (2006)
• Music For Men (2009)

EPs

• The Gossip (1999)
• Arkansas Heat (2002)
• Real Damage (2005)
• GSSP RMX (2006)
• Drunken Maria split 7" single with The Raincoats (pl-08) (2009)

Live albums

• Undead in NYC (2003)
• Live In Liverpool (2007)

Remix albums

• RMXD (2007)

Compilations

• 2006 - (pl-02) (double CD/download) Silver Monk Time - a tribute to The Monks (compilation)

Personnel

• Beth Ditto – vocalist, piano (1999–present)
• Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell – guitar, bass (1999–present)
• Hannah Blilie – drums (2004–present)

Past members

• Kathy Mendonca – drums (1999–2003)

Awards

In 2010, Gossip was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for their album Music for Men during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.^[11]

In 2010, Gossip was nominated for an ECHO Award, along side groups such as Depeche Mode and U2.^[12]

Notes

External links

• Official website
• Gossip on Twitter
• Gossip on Myspace