Tuscadero was an American indie rock band from Washington, D.C., one of the most prominent on the TeenBeat Records roster.

Tuscadero
Tuscadero playing a reunion show in 2010
Tuscadero playing a reunion show in 2010
Background information
OriginWashington, D.C.
GenresIndie rock
Years active1993-1999
LabelsTeenbeat, Elektra
Past membersMelissa Farris
Margaret McCartney
Jack Hornady
Phil Satlof

Biography

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Melissa Farris and Margaret McCartney met while working at the Zig Zag Cafe in Washington, D.C.[1] They founded Tuscadero on Halloween of 1993 with bassist Phil Satlof and drummer Jack Hornady.[2] The band took its name from Suzi Quatro's Happy Days character Leather Tuscadero.

The band was signed with Mark Robinson of Teenbeat Records shortly after and released two EPs in the spring and summer of 1994: Mt. Pleasant and Angel in a Half Shirt. Their debut LP, The Pink Album, was released that fall, influenced by girl groups and the pop culture of its members' 1970s childhoods, such as board games and Nancy Drew. After touring with Sebadoh,[2] the band signed with Elektra Records and re-recorded their debut album in 1995 with Mark Waterman, who had previously produced Elastica's debut.

Tuscadero's second album, My Way or the Highway, was released in 1998, and they toured with Cheap Trick to promote it,[3] but after the album's release, Elektra dropped the band.[4] Farris later founded the band Dame Fate with bassist Yalan Papillon, releasing one album, Time and Tide Wait for No Man, in 2002.[5]

Tuscadero reunited in February 2005 for a one-off performance at TeenBeat's 20th anniversary celebration.[6] They reunited once again in 2013 for the 20th anniversary of Washington, DC's Black Cat club.[7] Two additional reunion shows were played in December 2014 as a benefit for a Teen-Beat Records intern who was facing mounting costs from leukemia.[8]

Tuscadero reformed again in 2023 and will play their first concerts since 2014 supporting Velocity Girl, who have also reunited. [9]

Lineup

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Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Hughes, John C. (25 September 2008). "Lost in the '90s: Tuscadero". Popdose. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  2. ^ a b Eric Brace (July 5, 1996). "Under the Pink". Washington City Paper. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  3. ^ Eric Brace (June 21, 1998). "Cheap Trick's Latest Material Fits With Spirit Of Old". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  4. ^ Eric Brace (November 20, 1998). "Nightwatch - Live". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  5. ^ Spano, Charles. "Review: Time and Tide Wait for No Man". All Music Guide. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  6. ^ Richard Harrington (February 18, 2005). "Teenbeat Records Comes Of Age". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  7. ^ Lavanya Ramanathan (June 5, 2013). "Black Cat Turns 20 With Shudder to Think, Ted Leo, Mary Timony and more". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  8. ^ "Tuscadero to Reunite for Two Teen-Beat Benefit Shows: DCist". Archived from the original on 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2016-05-24.
  9. ^ "Tuscadero Announce First Show in Nine Years Opening for Reunited Velocity Girl". 15 September 2023.
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