Melissa York
Melissa York is a rock drummer noted for her work with iconic lesbian bands such as Team Dresch, The Butchies, and Amy Ray. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.
Melissa York | |
|---|---|
Melissa York with fist in air during performance at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ, April 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | February 22, 1969 |
| Genres | Punk rock, hardcore punk, indie rock |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Vermiform, Kill Rock Stars |
Biography edit
York first began drumming with the New York-based hardcore punk bands Born Against, the Manacled, and Vitapup. Following this, she moved to the West Coast to drum for Team Dresch in 1993.[1] When Team Dresch broke up in 1998, York and band-mate Kaia Wilson, together with Alison Martlew, formed the power punk lesbian-feminist band, The Butchies (1998-2005), which put out four albums.
She has remained active in the lesbian and punk music scene, touring with the Indigo Girls' Amy Ray and playing in a band called The Ex-Members and the band Humble Tripe.[2]
In popular culture edit
Her name appears in the lyrics of the Le Tigre song "Hot Topic."[3]
References edit
- ^ Vivinetto, Gina (February 27, 2002). "The Butchies powerfully fill headliners' shoes". St Petersburg Times.
- ^ Bendix, Trish (May 6, 2010). "An interview with Melissa York". After Ellen.
- ^ Oler, Tammy (October 31, 2019). "57 Champions of Queer Feminism, All Name-Dropped in One Impossibly Catchy Song". Slate Magazine.