UTG PHOTOS: Sleater-Kinney Make Their Triumphant Return (2/8/15)

February 10th, 2015

Xander Deccio

In 2006, Sleater-Kinney, a well-known indie/alt rock band based out of Olympia, WA called it quits. The band had a huge following, and were one of the pioneers of shaping the roots of indie rock. Maybe most importantly, they never signed to a major label, even though many begged them to do so.

However, the three members stayed busy throughout the years. Carrie Brownstein went on to form the band Wild Flag, and also co-created a little known comedy series on IFC. Corin Tucker went on to collaborate with Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder on the Into The Wild soundtrack, and also started her own band, The Corin Tucker Band. As for drummer Janet Weiss, she stayed busy with her side project, Quasi, and also contributed her talents to Brownstein’s Wild Flag along with Mary Timony of Ex Hex and Autoclave fame.

Following a reunion in 2013, many had wondered if S-K would ever get back together in a more long-term fashion, or release any new material. That is until last October when the band announced they had reformed and a new album, No Cities To Love, would be dropping in January 2015. They also announced a tour supporting their new album, with the inaugural show taking place at The Knitting Factory in Spokane, WA.

The show had sold out months in advance, and people from all over flocked to Spokane to witness something historic. And indeed it was! Opening for the band was Minneapolis-based rapper Lizzo, whose flamboyant energy pumped the crowd up into a riot grrl frenzy. Lizzo was personally selected by S-K to open for their tour.

Then, the moment everyone who waited years and drove hours upon hours to witness finally happened. Sleater-Kinney made their triumphant return to the stage – an event almost 10 years in the making. Many had wondered why the band chose Spokane to kick off their world tour – not Portland or even Seattle – but that didn’t stop them from doing what they do best: kicking ass and taking names with their own brand of killer rock. After the band performed a couple of songs, the crowd began to chant, “You still got it!”

Indeed, after several years, Sleater-Kinney most certainly do.