Throwing Muses have managed to create a strange family of associated artists since their inception. Here is a key to the major non-Hersh players, and how they relate to one another:PIXIES | There is no formal link between the Muses and the Pixies, though certainly you'd never have heard of the latter without the former. An early show opening for the Muses exposed the nascent Pixies to Fort Apache producer Gary Smith, who went on to produce the "Purple Tape," a demo-ish recording that found its way into the mitts of Ivo Watts-Russell, the head of the Muses' UK label, 4AD. Prior to signing these bands, 4AD was better known as the home of austere acts like the Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil. Now, it'll probably always be known as the Pixies' label — well, either that or the the label of . . .
THE BREEDERS | Throwing Muses were no strangers to European shores when in 1988 they dragged the Pixies along as their support act. While on tour, Pixies bassist Kim Deal began discussing a possible side project with Muse Tanya Donelly. The Breeders formed and, after a single show at the Rat and a demo tape passed on to Watts-Russell, were signed to 4AD and began work on their debut, 1989's Pod. That record was a modest success, but both Deal and Donelly returned to their regular gigs — for a while. Then in 1991 the Breeders reconvened to record their Safari EP, and Deal stayed on with the Breeders as the Pixies began to dissolve in early '92. The Breeders would go on to become ubiquitous with 1993's Last Splash and its hugely successful radio hit "Cannonball." By that time, Donelly was long gone, having bailed out of both Throwing Muses and the Breeders in 1991 to form her own group . . .
BELLY | Donelly was with Throwing Muses through the recording of 1991's The Real Ramona, but 1992 saw her poised for a breakout when 4AD released the first EP of Belly. Although Slow Dust was well received, especially in the UK, nothing could have prepared Donelly for the acclaim for Belly's debut full-length, 1993's Star: the album went gold and snagged three Grammy nominations. Belly's success was short-lived, however: the 1995 follow-up, King, failed to match Star's success. Donelly went solo in 1996; in 1997, she released Lovesongs for Underdogs on 4AD.
Related:
Tanya tunes, Counting backwards, Reunited and it feels so . . . heavy, More 
- Tanya tunes
Donnelly on her previous bands
- Counting backwards
When we listen to a song, whether it's an old favorite or a new sound, we rarely consider the circuitous path that the tune has taken to reach our ears.
- Reunited and it feels so . . . heavy
Lead Throwing Muse Kristin Hersh has often said that she doesn't write her songs so much as channel them, so it wasn't surprising that at times it felt like tonight's sold-out crowd was witnessing an onstage exorcism.
- Playlist: Octorber 19, 2007
Viva Viva, Drug Rug, DJ Kon, and more
- Anything and everything
People never like to label themselves. Or, at least they shouldn't.
- Youth or consequences
The Click Five are sequestered somewhere inside Q Division studio, and Girl Authority are seated in a circle in the lounge area, scheming a way to meet the lead singer. Girl Authority, "This Is My Day" (mp3)
- A muse amused
There are a few good reasons to admire Kristin Hersh’s latest solo album, Learn To Sing like a Star . Hersh's bar: The essentials. By Brett Milano
- Hersh's bar
The essentials
- Roots on the go
We wish Kip and the gang all the best as they embark on this magical food service/gig room gestalt.
- Heard ’round here
There were lots of great records to choose from, so I decided not to limit the list to 10 selections.
- Review: Mark Olson and Gary Louris, Ready for the Flood (New West)
Some of us sat idly by while the Stooges, the Pixies, the Police, and the New Kids were busy plotting their improbable reunions, our arms crossed, feigning indifference.
- Less
Topics:
Music Features
, Entertainment, Music, Music Reviews, More
, Entertainment, Music, Music Reviews, Kim Deal, Cocteau Twins, Tanya Donelly, Throwing Muses, Gary Smith, Pixies, Less
