Chainsaw Records is an

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

run by Donna Dresch that is devoted to

Queercore Queercore (or homocore) is a cultural/social movement that began in the mid-1980s as an offshoot of the punk subculture and a music genre that comes from punk rock. It is distinguished by its discontent with society in general, and specificall ...

bands. The label is in Portland, Oregon.

History

''Chainsaw'' began life as a

zine A zine ( ; short for '' magazine'' or '' fanzine'') is a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via a copy machine. Zines are the product of either a single person or of a very s ...

published by Donna Dresch in the late 1980s. Musicians and writers featured in the zine included

Lois Maffeo Lois Maffeo (professionally known for much of her career as Lois) is an American musician and writer who lives in Olympia, Washington. She has been closely involved with and influenced many independent musicians, especially in the 1990s-era Oly ...

, Jena von Brücker,

Juliana Lueking Juliana Luecking is an American musician, spoken-word artist and video maker. ' is her YouTube channel where ''People Are a Trip'', a series filmed in public places in New York City, is featured. Luecking's videos were instrumental in Picture ...

, Candice Pederson, G.B. Jones and Larrybob. ''Chainsaw'' was one of the seminal queercore zines that, along with '' J.D.s'' and '' Homocore'', helped define the movement. "In 1991...Chainsaw developed from a zine into a record label. This began simply enough when she made a compilation cassette of her favourite bands and started to sell these while on tour with

Fifth Column A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. According to Harris Mylonas and Scott Radnitz, "fifth columns" are “domestic actors who work to un ...

", writes Amy Spencer in ''DIY: The Rise of Lo-Fi Culture''. In 1994 Chainsaw began to release LPs and singles, beginning with the release of The Fakes (featuring members of

Bikini Kill Bikini Kill is an American punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington, in October 1990. The group consisted of singer and songwriter Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail. The band pioneered ...

The Need The Need is an American queercore band formed by singer/drummer Rachel Carns and guitarist Radio Sloan in Portland, Oregon in the mid-1990s. After issuing a series of seven-inches on labels including Kill Rock Stars and Outpunk, The Need r ...

and

Nation of Ulysses The Nation of Ulysses was an American punk rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in spring 1988 with four members. Originally known as simply "Ulysses," the first mark of the group consisted of Ian Svenonius on vocals and trumpet, Steve Krone ...

), the

Frumpies The Frumpies were an American lo-fi punk rock band formed in 1992 in Olympia, Washington, United States. The original line-up consisted of singers/guitarists Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, and Billy Karren (all of whom were also a part of the legendar ...

and the first

Team Dresch Team Dresch is an American punk rock band originally formed in 1993 in Olympia, Washington. The band made a significant impression on the DIY punk movement queercore, which gave voice through zines and music to the passions and concerns of LGBT ...

LP, ''

Personal Best A personal record or personal best (abbreviated to PR or PB) is an individual's best performance in a given sporting discipline. It is most commonly found in athletic sports, such as track and field, other forms of running, swimming and weightlift ...

''. This was followed by a co-release with Candy Ass Records, the double LP/CD compilation, '' Free to Fight''. "The label established itself as a vital element of the queercore scene..." says Spencer, as Chainsaw then began to release records by a variety of queer mainly women artists. Of note is the fact that many bands, such as

Sleater-Kinney Sleater-Kinney ( ) is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's current lineup features Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar) and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), following the departure of longtime memb ...

, have been able to put out their initial recordings on the label. As well, the website for ''Chainsaw'', and in particular its message board, have fostered a sense of community and provided a vehicle for expression by queers and music fans.

Chainsaw artists

* Davies vs. Dresch *

Excuse 17 Excuse 17 was a punk rock band from Olympia, Washington, US, that performed and recorded from 1993 to 1995. The band consisted of Becca Albee (vocals and guitar), Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), and Curtis James (drums). The band recorde ...

* The Fakes *

The Frumpies The Frumpies were an American lo-fi punk rock band formed in 1992 in Olympia, Washington, United States. The original line-up consisted of singers/guitarists Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, and Billy Karren (all of whom were also a part of the legendar ...

* Heartless Martin * Heavens to Betsy * Infinite Xs * Kaia * Longstocking *

* No. 2 * Show Me the Pink *

Third Sex Third gender is a concept in which individuals are categorized, either by themselves or by society, as neither man nor woman. It is also a social category present in societies that recognize three or more genders. The term ''third'' is usual ...

Tracy and the Plastics Tracy + the Plastics is an American electropop and video project group from Olympia, Washington, United States. The members include Nikki Romanos on keyboard, Cola on drums, and Tracy as the lead vocals. Although the name implied the group was ma ...

References

* Spencer, Amy; ''DIY: The Rise Of Lo-Fi Culture'', Marion Boyars Publishers, London, UK,

External links

Official site chainsawrecords.com
{{Authority control American independent record labels LGBT-related record labels Zines Queercore record labels Record labels established in 1991 Oregon record labels Privately held companies based in Oregon Riot grrrl 1991 establishments in Oregon

History

Chainsaw artists

See also

References

External links