Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses | |
---|---|
Warner Bros. | |
Spinoffs | |
Members | Kristin Hersh David Narcizo Bernard Georges |
Past members | Tanya Donelly Leslie Langston Fred Abong Elaine Adamedes Becca Blumen |
Website | throwingmuses |
Throwing Muses are an American alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, United States,[1] that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects.
The group was originally fronted by two stepsisters, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who both wrote the group's songs.[1] Throwing Muses are known for performing music with shifting tempos, creative chord progressions, unorthodox song structures, and surreal lyrics.[1] The group was set apart from other contemporary acts by Hersh's stark, candid writing style; Donelly's pop stylings and vocal harmonies; and David Narcizo's unusual drumming techniques eschewing use of cymbals.[citation needed]
History
1983–1986: Formation, first EP and The Doghouse Cassette, debut album
Throwing Muses were formed in 1983 by
Throwing Muses released their debut self-titled
1987–1991: further EPs, House Tornado, Hunkpapa and The Real Ramona
In 1987, Throwing Muses released two
In 1989, the band released their third album, Hunkpapa, which was produced by Gary Smith and engineered by Steve Haigler. The album saw Hersh experimenting with more conventional melodic structures, although the fractious lyrics remained. The song “Dizzy” was released as a single.
In 1990, bassist Leslie Langston left and was replaced by Fred Abong.[1] Throwing Muses recorded their fourth album, The Real Ramona during the same year.[1] The Real Ramona is considered to have a more poppy sound than their previous records.[6] The song "Counting Backwards" from the album was released as a single. Shortly after the album's release in 1991, Tanya Donelly left the Muses to form Belly, taking Abong with her.[1]
1992–2002: Work as trio – Red Heaven, University, Limbo and disbandment
With Donelly not being replaced, Throwing Muses opted to continue as a trio, with
In 1993, they recorded their sixth album, University. Hersh recorded her debut album, Hips and Makers, immediately after recording finished on University. Hips and Makers was released first, in 1994, which delayed the release of University until 1995.[7] University gave the band their first national U.S. hit, "Bright Yellow Gun". The album was favorably reviewed.
Throwing Muses released their seventh album, Limbo, which was followed by a tour. However, the band disbanded in 1997 as Kristin Hersh went on to continue her solo career.[8]
2002–present: Reformation – Throwing Muses, Purgatory, etc.
In March 2003, Throwing Muses came back with their eighth album,
In early 2014, the band toured a few U.S. cities, with Donelly opening for the East Coast dates.[10][11]
The first single from their new album Sun Racket, titled "Dark Blue", was released in February 2020.[12] The album was released on Fire Records on September 4, 2020.[13]
Personnel
Long-term core lineup
- Kristin Hersh: vocals, guitar (1981–present)
- David Narcizo: drums (1983–present)
- Bernard Georges: bass (1992–present)
Other members
- Fred Abong: bass (1990–91)
- Elaine Adamedes: bass, vocals (1981–83)
- Becca Blumen: drums, vocals (1981–83)
- Tanya Donelly: vocals, guitar (1981–91, guest in concerts and recording 2001, 2003 and 2014)
- Leslie Langston: bass (1984–90, recording briefly 1992)
Discography
Studio albums
- Throwing Muses (1986)[14]
- House Tornado (1988)
- Hunkpapa (1989) (#59, UK Albums Chart)
- The Real Ramona (1991) (#26, UK Albums Chart)
- Red Heaven (1992) (#13, UK Albums Chart)
- University (1995) (#10, UK Albums Chart; #10, US Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart)
- Limbo (1996) (#36, UK Albums Chart; #34, US Billboard Heatseekers Album Chart)
- Throwing Muses(2003) (#75, UK Albums Chart; #26, US Billboard Top Indie Albums Chart)
- Purgatory / Paradise(2013)
- Sun Racket (2020)
Live albums
- The Curse – Live Album (1992) – Official UK Albums Chart: #74
- Live In Providence (2001)
Chart singles
Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK
|
US Alt
|
US
| |||
1989 | "Dizzy" | 85 | 8 | – | Hunkpapa |
1991 | "Counting Backwards" | 70 | 11 | – | The Real Ramona |
"Not Too Soon" | – | – | – | ||
1992 | "Firepile" | 46 | – | – | Red Heaven |
1995 | "Bright Yellow Gun" | 51 | 20 | 118 | University |
1996 | "Shark" | 53 | – | – | Limbo |
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b c d e "Throwing Muses". 4AD. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ "Throwing Muses – Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Freeman, John (October 24, 2011). "Counting Backwards: Throwing Muses Interviewed". The Quietus.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (October 8, 2010). "Punk Days". The New York Times.
- ^ Phares, Heather. "The Real Ramona". Allmusic. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
- ^ Strauss, Neil (March 9, 1995). "My So-Called Double Life: Kristin Hersh of Throwing Muses Finds the Common Ground Between Motherhood and Rock & Roll". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Freydkin, Donna (August 19, 1999). "Kristin Hersh Checks Into her 'Sky Motel'". CNN Interactive.
- ^ Zolandz, Lindsay (October 24, 2013). "Video: Throwing Muses – 'Sunray Venus'". Pitchfork.
- ^ (February 28, 2014) Throwing Muses, Mark Eitzel Noise Pop 2014.
- ^ (January 20, 2014) "Throwing Muses announce handful of U.S. dates — including 2 with Tanya Donelly" Slicing Up Eyeballs.
- ^ Martoccio, Angie (February 25, 2020). "Throwing Muses Announce New Album, Drop 'Dark Blue'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Throwing Muses – Sun Racket". FIRE RECORDS. August 24, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.