# The Need > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Need > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/The_Need.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Need > Source revision: 1354221832 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American queercore band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{other uses|Need (disambiguation)}}{{Citations missing|date=March 2024}}{{Infobox musical artist | name = The Need | image = | caption = | image_size = | alias = | origin = [Olympia, Washington](/source/Olympia%2C_Washington), U.S. | genre = [Queercore](/source/Queercore), [post-punk](/source/post-punk), [art rock](/source/art_rock), [garage rock](/source/garage_rock), [experimental rock](/source/experimental_rock) | years_active = 1996–2001
(Reunions: 2010, 2013) | label = [Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars), [Outpunk](/source/Outpunk), [Chainsaw](/source/Chainsaw_Records), [Up](/source/Up_Records), Yoyo | associated_acts = [Kicking Giant](/source/Rachel_Carns), [The Fakes](/source/Kathleen_Hanna), The CeBe Barnes Band, [Miranda July](/source/Miranda_July), The Teenage Ho-Dads, [Mocket](/source/Mocket_(band)), Circuit Side, [The King Cobra](/source/Rachel_Carns), [TWIN](/source/Rachel_Carns), [The Chelsea](/source/Samantha_Maloney), [Peaches](/source/Peaches_(musician)), [Le Tigre](/source/Le_Tigre) | website = | current_members = [Rachel Carns](/source/Rachel_Carns)
[Radio Sloan](/source/Radio_Sloan) | past_members = }} '''The Need''' is an American [queercore](/source/queercore) band formed by the singer and drummer [Rachel Carns](/source/Rachel_Carns) and the guitarist [Radio Sloan](/source/Radio_Sloan) in [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon), in the mid-1990s. After issuing a series of seven-inches on labels including [Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars) and [Outpunk](/source/Outpunk), the Need relocated to [Olympia, Washington](/source/Olympia%2C_Washington) and released two albums for [Chainsaw Records](/source/Chainsaw_Records). The duo's unsettling brand of [post-punk](/source/post-punk) [art rock](/source/art_rock){{Cite news |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-04-04/music/atomic-punks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624073937/http://www.villagevoice.com/2000-04-04/music/atomic-punks/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 24, 2009 |publisher=Village Voice |date=April 4, 2004 |title=Atomic punks |access-date=November 30, 2010 |first=Joe |last=Gross }} (combined with Carns' distinctive artwork) would set them apart and ensure their versatility. During the band's initial run, they played shows with such diverse acts as [Tribe 8](/source/Tribe_8), [Fugazi](/source/Fugazi), [The Ex](/source/The_Ex_(band)) and [Bright Eyes](/source/Bright_Eyes_(band)), and toured with [Le Tigre](/source/Le_Tigre), [BS 2000](/source/BS_2000) and [Blonde Redhead](/source/Blonde_Redhead). Their third album, ''The Transfused'', acted as a soundtrack to the [rock opera](/source/rock_opera) of the same name. The Need dissolved in 2001, with Carns and Sloan shifting their focus to other projects. After briefly reuniting for benefit shows in 2010, the Need reformed for a second time in 2013 and released the album ''Resurrection''. == Background == Rachel Carns formed [Kicking Giant](/source/Rachel_Carns) with fellow [Cooper Union](/source/Cooper_Union) student Tae Won Yu in 1990. Based in [New York](/source/New_York_City), the pair recorded songs on Yu's [4-track](/source/TASCAM) and released a number of homemade [cassettes](/source/compact_cassette). Through the network of underground [fanzine](/source/fanzine)s and [tape trading](/source/tape_trading) circles, Kicking Giant were introduced to the [riot grrrl](/source/riot_grrrl) movement, which merged [DIY](/source/DIY) culture and [feminism](/source/feminism). After performing at the [International Pop Underground Convention](/source/International_Pop_Underground_Convention) in [Olympia, Washington](/source/Olympia%2C_Washington), the energy of the burgeoning Pacific Northwest punk scene proved infectious and both members were ready to leave New York. The duo parted ways temporarily in 1992 when Yu moved to Olympia and Carns to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington%2C_D.C.) (where she briefly joined [Slant 6](/source/Slant_6) as drummer) before moving to Olympia to rejoin Yu and Kicking Giant. During the next three years Carns also performed and recorded with [The Fakes](/source/Kathleen_Hanna), Sue P. Fox, The Pet Stains and Witchypoo. Kicking Giant issued their final album on [K Records](/source/K_Records) in 1994 before breaking up the following year. == History == === Formation and early years (1995–1997) === In 1995, Carns moved to [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon) to play keyboards with the CeBe Barnes Band, which included singer and future filmmaker [Miranda July](/source/Miranda_July), guitarist Shannon Tragedy (later known as [Radio Sloan](/source/Radio_Sloan)) and [Sleater-Kinney](/source/Sleater-Kinney) drummer Toni Gogin.{{Citation | last = Becraft | first = Robert | title = In April of 2001 Miranda July, writer of the new movie, "Me and You and Everyone We Know," talked to F about performance, music, and her career... | newspaper = F News | date =Summer 2005 | url = http://www.fnewsmagazine.com/2005-JULY/interview_miranda_july.html | accessdate = January 14, 2011 }}{{Citation | last = Inoue | first = Todd | title = Grrrls II Womyn | newspaper = Metroactive | date = March 21, 1996 | url = http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/03.21.96/beat-9612.html | accessdate = January 14, 2011}} Pioneers in the next wave of [queercore](/source/queercore), they toured the West Coast with Sleater-Kinney, playing the Santa Barbara Girls Convention. After the band's demise in 1996, Carns and Sloan continued to collaborate with July and named the new line-up the Need, releasing their debut EP, ''Margie Ruskie Stops Time'', on [Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars). They toured down the coast to play the Dirtybird Queercore Festival in [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco), but July soon left to pursue solo endeavors. The Need continued as a duo and issued a second EP for Kill Rock Stars in 1997, which was followed up with an additional release on [Outpunk](/source/Outpunk). That year, Carns and Sloan relocated to Olympia where they signed with [Donna Dresch](/source/Donna_Dresch)'s queercore label [Chainsaw Records](/source/Chainsaw_Records), who released the Need's self-titled debut [studio album](/source/studio_album). === Collaborations and ''The Need is Dead'' (1998–1999) === thumb|150px|right|Rachel Carns circa 1999 Before their next album, the Need began branching out into other projects. With singer [Nomy Lamm](/source/Nomy_Lamm), the duo formed a highly theatrical [surf punk](/source/Surf_punk_(music_genre)) [drag king](/source/drag_king) band called The Teenage Ho-Dads. They also created a collaborative project where Carns and Sloan, with a rotating cast of players, acted as a [karaoke](/source/karaoke) band for guest singers; including Lamm, Tamala Poljak ([Longstocking](/source/Longstocking)), [Audrey Marrs](/source/Audrey_Marrs), Tracy Sawyer ([Heavens to Betsy](/source/Heavens_to_Betsy)) and [Slim Moon](/source/Slim_Moon). The Need released these recordings as ''Karaneedoke'', which would be part of Kill Rock Stars' Mailorder Freak Singles Club. In 1998, [Joe Preston](/source/Joe_Preston_(bassist)) briefly joined the Need, playing bass and [sampler](/source/sampler_(musical_instrument)). The songs "Vaselina" and "Talk Potty" were released as ''The Need with Joe Preston & DJ Zena'' on [Up Records](/source/Up_Records). During this period Carns played drums with the Sub Debs and later with [The Spells](/source/Carrie_Brownstein). Carns and Sloan both joined [Mocket](/source/Mocket_(band)) for a short time and appeared on their album ''Pro Forma''. This was followed by the pair collaborating with [Two Ton Boa](/source/Sherry_Fraser). The Need returned to the studio with producer Mike Lastra in summer 1999 and completed their second album, ''The Need is Dead'', for Chainsaw Records. === ''The Transfused'' and breakup (2000–2001) === Following multiple collaborations, the sense of community involvement, DIY spirit, and willingness to experiment led to the Need's creation of ''The Transfused'', a full-length [rock opera](/source/rock_opera), co-written with Lamm. Twelve months in the making, with an original score by Carns and Sloan, a cast of twenty-five, a full backing band, $40,000 in [grassroots fundraising](/source/grassroots_fundraising), months of rehearsals, and hundreds of volunteers, ''The Transfused'' sold out its two-week run at Olympia's [Capitol Theater](/source/Capitol_Theater_(Olympia)) in summer 2000. An album featuring music from the production was released on Yoyo Recordings. The first-ever [Ladyfest](/source/Ladyfest) took place in Olympia later that year; Carns organized and [emceed](/source/Master_of_Ceremonies) the punk [cabaret](/source/cabaret)-style Dude-Looks-Like-A-Lady [drag show](/source/drag_show). Soon after, Sloan relocated to [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles); the Need added a new bass player, Dvin Kirakosian, and for a while Carns spent alternate months in Olympia and LA. However, this only lasted for a short period as the band broke up in 2001, with Carns and Sloan moving on to other projects. Actors in the production included Nomy Lamm, [Andras Jones](/source/Andras_Jones), Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn, Anna "Oxygen" Huff, Zack Carlson and many other Olympians of note. === Reformation (2010–present) === In 2010, the Need briefly reunited for a handful of benefit shows for their friend (and former Kill Rock Stars employee) Natalie Cox, in order to help with her medical expenses.{{Citation | last = Grandy | first = Eric | title = The Need, the Bangs, C Average, and Thrones at the Crocodile | newspaper = The Stranger | date = July 22, 2010 | url = http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2010/07/22/the-need-the-bangs-c-average-and-thrones-at-the-crocodile | accessdate = January 14, 2011}} These shows were held in Seattle and Portland with bills that also featured [The Bangles](/source/The_Bangles), C Average and Joe Preston's solo project, [Thrones](/source/Thrones_(band)). Several years later, the Need reformed for a second time and embarked on a West Coast tour in 2013. Additionally, the band released ''Resurrection'', a [compilation album](/source/compilation_album) that included previously released songs from all three studio albums, early demo material and compilation tracks. Both the album title and artwork suggest the possibly of continued output, with its cover stating "in which 13 years later the dead doth rise again" and the more blatant "we're baaaaaaack [''sic'']" exclaimed in the albums' liner notes. == Additional projects == thumb|225px|right|Radio Sloan (far right) performing with Peaches and the Herms in 2006 After the initial break up of the Need in 2001, both members remained active in music; recording, touring and performing with a number of different artists. Radio Sloan formed Circuit Side (named after the opening track from ''The Need is Dead'') who released a self-titled EP, collaborated with [Nicole Georges](/source/Nicole_Georges) for the band Fact or Fiction and temporarily joined [Scarling](/source/Scarling), filling in on bass for the band's live performances. Rachel Carns formed [The King Cobra](/source/Rachel_Carns) who played one of their earliest shows at the first ever Homo A Go Go Festival in Olympia in 2002. Following several releases and tours supporting [Tracy + the Plastics](/source/Tracy_%2B_the_Plastics), [Erase Errata](/source/Erase_Errata) and [Shoplifting](/source/Shoplifting_(band)), The King Cobra changed their name to TWIN in 2006. Sloan and Carns also made [sample](/source/sampling_(music)) contributions to ''[This Island](/source/This_Island_(Le_Tigre_album))'' by [Le Tigre](/source/Le_Tigre) and Tracy + the Plastics' ''[Culture for Pigeon](/source/Culture_for_Pigeon)'', respectively. Sloan and drummer [Samantha Maloney](/source/Samantha_Maloney) collaborated in two touring groups; [The Chelsea](/source/Samantha_Maloney),{{Citation |last = IGN Music |title = Courtney Love & The Chelsea Tour |date = October 7, 2004 |url = http://music.ign.com/articles/555/555116p1.html |accessdate = January 14, 2011 |url-status = dead |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090525014646/http://music.ign.com/articles/555/555116p1.html |archivedate = May 25, 2009 }} who acted as the backing band for [Courtney Love](/source/Courtney_Love) after the release of her solo debut ''[America's Sweetheart](/source/America's_Sweetheart_(Courtney_Love_album))'', as well as The Herms, a band created to support [Peaches](/source/Peaches_(musician)), following release of her album ''[Impeach My Bush](/source/Impeach_My_Bush)''. In 2009, ''Transfused'' alumni [Anna Oxygen](/source/Anna_Oxygen) commissioned Carns and Sloan to compose music for Under Polaris, a multimedia performance art piece by experimental theater group Cloud Eye Control. == Discography == === Studio albums === *''The Need'' (1997) [Chainsaw Records](/source/Chainsaw_Records) *''The Need is Dead'' (1999) Chainsaw Records *''The Transfused''{{ref label|lamm|I|}} (2000) Yoyo Recordings === Compilation albums === * ''Resurrection'' (2013) self released === Extended plays and singles === *''Margie Ruskie Stops Time''{{ref label|july|II|}} (1996) [Kill Rock Stars](/source/Kill_Rock_Stars) *''The Need'' (1997) Kill Rock Stars *''Jacky O'Lantern'' (1997) [Outpunk](/source/Outpunk) *''Karaneedoke'' (1998) Kill Rock Stars{{ref label|mailorder|III|}} *''The Need with [Joe Preston](/source/Joe_Preston_(bassist)) & DJ Zena'' (1998) [Up Records](/source/Up_Records) === Compilation and soundtrack appearances === {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Song(s) ! Label |- | 1997 | ''Destination'' | "Sam" | Ross Records |- |rowspan="2"| 1998 | ''Yoyo A Go Go: Another Live Compilation'' | "Crown" (Live) | Yoyo Recordings |- | ''Up Next'' | "Vaselina" | Up Records |- |rowspan="5"| 1999 | ''La Foresta Della Morte Soundtrack'' | "Talk Potty" | ToYo Records |- | ''[New Women's Music Sampler](/source/New_Women's_Music_Sampler)'' | "Girl Flavor Gum" | [Mr. Lady Records](/source/Mr._Lady_Records) |- | ''Homocore Minneapolis: Live and Loud'' | "Vaselina" (Live), "Crown" (Live), "Majesty" (Live) | Lefty Records |- | ''Projector: Another Studio Compilation'' | "[American Woman](/source/American_Woman_(song))" | Yoyo Recordings |- | ''Asteroids'' | "Sam" (Live) | Dead Turtle Recordings |- |rowspan="2"| 2000 | ''Group Motion Picture Soundtrack'' | "Mona Tinsley", "2-Story Girl" | Yoyo Recordings |- | ''Yoyo A Go Go 1999'' | "Dark Sally" (Live) | Yoyo Recordings |- |rowspan="4"| 2001 | ''Charm Motion Picture Soundtrack'' | "Jolly Roger" | [5 Rue Christine](/source/5_Rue_Christine) |- | ''The Structure of Scientific Misconceptions'' | "Resurrection", "The Green Manalishi" | ToYo Records |- | ''[Home Alive](/source/Home_Alive) Compilation II: Flying Side Kick'' | "[The Frayed Ends of Sanity](/source/The_Frayed_Ends_of_Sanity)" | Broken Rekids |- | ''US Pop Life Vol. 12: Tribute to [Fort Thunder](/source/Fort_Thunder)'' | "2-Story Girl" (Live) | Contact Records |} *'''I'''{{Note|lamm}}Released by The Need with [Nomy Lamm](/source/Nomy_Lamm). *'''II'''{{Note|july}}Released by [Miranda July](/source/Miranda_July) with The Need. *'''III'''{{Note|mailorder}}Part of Kill Rock Stars' Mailorder Freak Singles Club. == References == {{reflist}} == External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20010803094047/http://www.olywa.net/need/ The Need Webpage] circa August 3, 2001, by way of the [https://archive.org/web/web.php Internet Archive Wayback Machine] *[http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/n/need-need.shtml Review of ''The Need Is Dead''] *[http://www.killrockstars.com/ Kill Rock Stars] *[http://www.plazm.com/magazine/features/archive/the-need Plazm magazine interview] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Need, The}} Category:All-female punk bands Category:American musical duos Category:American post-punk music groups Category:American art rock groups Category:American experimental rock groups Category:Garage rock groups from Washington (state) Category:Kill Rock Stars Category:American LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2001 Category:Musical groups established in 1996 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2013 Category:Musical groups from Olympia, Washington Category:Queercore groups Category:Riot grrrl bands Category:Up Records artists --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Need](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Need) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Need?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.