Melissa York Explained

Melissa York
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Date:22 February 1969
Instrument:Drums, percussion
Genre:Punk rock, hardcore punk, indie rock
Years Active:1990–present
Label:Vermiform, Kill Rock Stars
Associated Acts:The Manacled, Born Against, Vitapup, Team Dresch, The Butchies, Amy Ray, Ex-Members, Humble Tripe

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.

Biography

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

Her name appears in the lyrics of the Le Tigre song "Hot Topic."[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: St Petersburg Times . The Butchies powerfully fill headliners' shoes . https://archive.today/20130131190018/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/109812115.html?dids=109812115:109812115&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+27,+2002&author=GINA+VIVINETTO&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=The+Butchies+powerfully+fill+headliner's+shoes+Series:+CONCERT+REVIEW;+2B&pqatl=google . dead . January 31, 2013 . Gina . Vivinetto . February 27, 2002 .
  2. News: Bendix. Trish. An interview with Melissa York. After Ellen. May 6, 2010.
  3. Web site: 57 Champions of Queer Feminism, All Name-Dropped in One Impossibly Catchy Song. Tammy. Oler. October 31, 2019. Slate Magazine.