Two Nice Girls were a self-styled "

dyke Dyke (UK) or dike (US) may refer to: General uses * Dyke (slang), a slang word meaning "lesbian" * Dike (geology), a subvertical sheet-like intrusion of magma or sediment * Dike (mythology), ''Dikē'', the Greek goddess of moral justice * Dikes, ...

rock" band from Austin, Texas, featuring singer-songwriter

Gretchen Phillips Gretchen Phillips (born 1963) is an American singer-songwriter known for her humorous and topical songs. Phillips has been openly gay throughout her life and her lesbianism has inspired much of her material. Background Phillips grew up in Hous ...

. They were together from 1985 to 1992, releasing three albums on

Rough Trade Records Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London, England. It was formed in 1976 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove. Having successfully promoted and sold records by punk rock and early post-pun ...

History

The group formed in 1985, originally the duo of Gretchen Phillips and Kathy Korniloff, who won the Austin " Sweet Jane" festival, their version of the

Lou Reed Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942October 27, 2013) was an American musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. ...

song later combined with Joan Armatrading's "Love and Affection" for their single release "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" in 1989.Strenger, Wif & Robbins, Ira
Two Nice Girls
, '' Trouser Press''. Retrieved July 22, 2018 Within a year, the lineup had expanded to comprise Phillips (guitar, bass,

mandolin A mandolin ( it, mandolino ; literally "small mandola") is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally plucked with a pick. It most commonly has four courses of doubled strings tuned in unison, thus giving a total of 8 ...

, and vocals), Korniloff (guitar, bass, violin, percussion, vocals), and Laurie Freelove (guitar, bass, percussion, and vocals). Members each wrote songs and took turns on different instruments.Brace, Eric (1991)
Two Nice Girls
, '' The Washington Post'', March 11, 1991 The band's debut album, ''

2 Nice Girls ''2 Nice Girls'' was the self-titled debut album of Two Nice Girls, released on Rough Trade Records in 1989. This album contains the track "I Spent My Last $10 (On Birth Control & Beer)" which gained the group some commercial success. The album ...

'', released in 1989 included "Sweet Jane" and a cover version of Jane Siberry's "Follow Me", as well as eight originals.Christgau, Robert
Two Nice Girls
, robertchristgau.com. Retrieved July 22, 2018 Freelove left following completion of the band's first album in 1989 to pursue a solo career. She was replaced by Meg Hentges. Drummer Pam Barger was added to the band for a tour to promote the album. In 1990 they released the mostly covers

mini-album A mini-LP or mini-album is a short vinyl record album or LP, usually retailing at a lower price than an album that would be considered full-length. It is distinct from an EP due to containing more tracks and a slightly longer running length. A ...

''Like a Version'', and followed this with ''

Chloe Liked Olivia ''Chloe Liked Olivia'' is the third and final album by Two Nice Girls, released on Rough Trade records in 1991. The label closed down and the band broke up shortly after this album was released. ''Chicago Tribune'' critic Dan Kening rated the alb ...

'' in 1991. Common themes in their songs included lesbianism, often using satire and humour, with their music often described as folk rock. Two Nice Girls won a GLAAD Media Award in 1991. The group broke up in 1992. Hentges went on to release an EP and two full-length albums.''The Advocate'', 1999, Liberation Publications, p. 256 Phillips recorded several self-released albums and formed other bands. Korniloff moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in sound design and music for motion pictures. Barger moved to Seattle and joined

The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet The Tiptons Sax Quartet, previously known as The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet, is a jazz saxophone quartet from Seattle, Washington. The ensemble consists of five members (the fifth member being the quartet's drummer and percussion ...

. According to the band's website, Laurie Freelove died January 22, 2017.

Discography

Albums

* ''

'' (1989),

Rough Trade Rough Trade may refer to: *Rough Trade Records, a record label * Rough Trade (shops), London record stores *Rough Trade (band), a Canadian new wave rock band * "Rough Trade" (''American Dad!''), an episode of ''American Dad!'' *Rough trade (slang), ...

* ''

Like a Version ''Like a Version'' is a weekly segment on Australian youth radio station Triple J. It involves Australian and international artists playing two songs live in the Triple J studio, one of their own songs (an "original") and then a cover version, h ...

'' (1990), Rough Trade * ''

'' (1991), Rough Trade

Singles

* "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" (1989), Rough Trade

References

External links

*
Laurie Freelove Artist Profile

The Gretchen Phillips Experience
{{Authority control All-female bands American country rock groups Rock music groups from Texas LGBT-themed musical groups American lesbian musicians Musical groups from Austin, Texas Rough Trade Records artists Musical groups established in 1985 1985 establishments in Texas Musical groups disestablished in 1992