MP3 of the week: Throwing Muses

Throwing MusesDownload Throwing Muses mp3s and find out more...

Musical style: Pop / Rock

Similar bands: Kristin Hersh, The Breeders, Elastica, Scheer

Throwing Muses

Who in the name of brutally perky bipolar bears are the Throwing Muses?

* Talented stepsister duo changed the face of alternative rock before it even had one

* They toured the UK with the Pixies supporting, and the Pixies are pure goodness.

* They formed 'Gut Pageants' where the audience would travel to venues to hear them play

Throwing Muses

So, tell me more of these Throwing Muses

The Throwing Muses were a Boston band pioneering 'alternative rock' years before the term existed. The band was formed in 1983 by step-sisters Kristin Hersh (vocals/guitar) and Tanya Donelly (guitar/vocals), who were both at high school at the time. The line-up was completed by bassist Elaine Adamedes and drummer Becca Blumen, who eventually gave way to Leslie Langston and David Narcizo respectively.

Arresting, unsettling and sometimes downright scary, Kristin's work was the result of a much-misunderstood bi-polar disorder which caused songs to 'force' themselves upon her. Meaning was subordinate to mood, with the likes of "Vicky's Box", "Hate My Way" and "America (She Can't Say No)" alluding to identity crises and societal disquiet via oblique imagery and textured, tempo-shifting sound.

The Throwing Muses joined the dots between elliptical post-punk, harmonious folk jangle and rockabilly thunder. This versatility complimented Kristin's intuitive, dextrous singing, which reached its zenith on the self-harm nightmare "Delicate Cutters".

Throwing Muses won instant acclaim in the UK. Their second album March Tornado was accompanied by a memorable UK tour with the Pixies supporting.

Tanya left the band in 1992 to help Kim Deal launch The Breeders before finding stardom with her own group Belly.

The Throwing Muses recorded and toured extensively until 1997 and band members have come and gone as members focus on their own projects, and releases are always critically acclaimed but have had falling sales - but the Throwing Muses have always had a devoted fanbase which has pulled them through. They've worked with Michael Stipe, members of the Patti Smith band, Husker Du... they may not sell like Britney, but everyone loves their guts a hell of a lot harder.

Also, Kristin Hersh has a cool new band called 50-Foot Wave. She is bringing out a new album in January 2007 called 'Learn to Sing Like a Star' and it's bound to kick righteous, powerful, melodic ass.

Go, Muses!

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