News

Sleater-Kinney Signs Off

The distinguished indie-rock career of Sleater-Kinney will come to a close at this year's Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago, marking the end of an 11-year, seven-album lifespan that earned the all-female rock band a rabidly loyal following and loads of critical praise, including the honor of being named America's greatest rock band in 2001 by Time magazine.

Although the group is calling the breakup an "indefinite hiatus," an announcement on their website certainly read like a final farewell. "The upcoming summer shows will be our last," the statement says. "We feel lucky to have had the support of many wonderful people over the years. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us, written kind words about us, performed with us, and inspired us. But mostly we want to extend our gratitude to our amazing fans. You have been a part of our story from the beginning. We could not have made our music without your enthusiasm, passion, and loyalty. It is you who have made the entire journey worthwhile."

The band also has a handful of shows prior to their finale at Lollapalooza: gigs in Louisville, Philadelphia, Washington DC and New York City.

Sleater-Kinney's last album, 2005's The Woods, was its first for the seminal Seattle label Sub Pop, and widely regarded as their best yet. The band, led by dual singer/songwriter/guitarists Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, was associated in its early days with the "riot-grrl" movement that blossomed in the '90s, but their influence proved far more enduring. They were among the first noteworthy bands to write protest songs following 9/11, and were a steady champion of human rights and raising awareness of continuing gender disparities.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
06.28.06