An Overview

History and Discography:

(Note: This is not a complete discography)

Tanya Donelly and the Throwing Muses:

In 1983, the Throwing Muses were born. Deemed to be one of the most influential female bands of the 1980's, the Throwing Muses had humble beginnings in Rhode Island. Fronted by Kristen Hersh and step-sister Tanya Donelly, the Muses played small shows at local areas. Their big break would not come until 1985, when the Muses releasd the In a Doghouse cassette. This led to their signing with England's prestigous 4AD label, and becoming the first American band to sign with 4AD. In 1986, the Throwing Muses released their self-tiled debut album, Throwing Muses. In subsequent years, the Muses released House Tornado (1988), Hunkpapa (1989), and The Real Ramona (1991). Tanya was known as writng the Muses more poppier songs, as can be soon from Not Too Soon (arguably Tanya Donelly's best song). Little did she know that later this would prove fruitful. After the release of The Real Ramona, Tanya Donelly called it quits.

Album Scans plus songs written by Tanya Donelly:

• 
  1983 - Throwing Muses
  Green
  
• 
  1988 - House Tornado
  The River
  Giant
  
• 
  1989 - Hunkpapa
  Angel
  Dragonhead
  
• 
  1991 - The Real Ramona
  Not Too Soon
  Honeychain
  Two Step
  

Tanya Donelly and the Breeders:

In 1990, the Throwing Muses were out and about. Tanya decided to go on a Muses hiatus. She and Kim Deal, at the time Pixies bassist, went off and formed the Breeders. The Breeders had a sound different than the Throwing Muses; they were edgy, with a lot of strong guitars, heavy drums, and booming bass. The Breeders, however, did not give Tanya the ability to be as open with her writings. She only contributed to one song, Only in 3's. In it, you can hear the "dreamy" lyrics that would one day make Tanya big. Tanya only stayed with the Breeders for the release of Pod, the critically acclaimed debut album of the Breeders, and the Safari EP. In 1992, Tanya called it quits.

Album Scan plus song written by Tanya Donelly:

• 
  1990 - Pod
  Only in 3's
  

Tanya Donelly and Belly:

Tanya Donelly, bandless in 1992, connected with brothers Tom and Chris Gorman and ex-Throwing Muses bassist Fred Abong to form Belly. Tanya now has her own band. After an array of EP's, Belly releases it's debut album, Star in 1993. Tanya wrote every song, which finally gave her the opportunity to prove just how creative she is. Star went gold, selling more albums than all of the Throwing Muses albums. The hit single, Feed the Tree, got heavy rotation on radio stations across the world and the video received a lot of play on MTV. This new found success led to a Grammy nomination and two MTV Video Music Awards nomination, not bad for a girl who can play guitar. After the release of Star, Fred Abong called it quits. Gail Greenwood joined the group as the bassist, and she provided the rough, alternative edge the band (and Tanya) needed. The band went on tour selling out most of the concerts. Belly was getting "big". In 1995, Belly released King. The new album was a collaborative effort among all the band members; Tanya still wrote all the lyrics, but the band members helped with the music. Most Belly fans consider King to be the best to come out of Tanya and company, but the general population did not agree. By this point the band landed on the cover of Rolling Stone and still continued to play sellout shows, but the audience was not buying. Belly fell into what the critcs call the "sophmore slump." By Novemeber of 1995, the band broke-up and the members each went their own separate ways.

Album Scans plus Set Lists:

• 
  1993 - Star
  1.Someone to Die For
  2.Angel
  3.Dusted
  4.Every Word
  5.Gepetto
  6.Witch
  7.Slow Dog
  8.Low Red Moon
  9.Feed the Tree
  10.Full Moon, Empty Heart
  11.White Belly
  12.Untogether
  13.Star
  14.Sad Dress
  15.Stay
  
• 
  1995 - King
  1.Puberty
  2.Seal My Fate
  3.Red
  4.SilverFish
  5.Super-Connected
  6.The Bees
  7.King
  8.Now They'll Sleep
  9.Untitled and Unsung
  10.L'il Ennio
  11.Judas My Heart
  

Tanya Donelly the solo-artist:

After the break-up of Belly, Tanya Donelly was all alone. The exact causes for the break-up and the feelings that go behind are only truly known by Tanya and the former band members. The emotions behind the break-up of Belly, whatever they were, did not stop Tanya. She kept writing and recording. Late in 1996 she released her first EP, Sliding and Diving, as a solo artist. She was in control. Control of the music, the musicians, and more importantly herself. She can call any musician in on a whim, without having to worry about disgruntled band members. She did just that. She pooled some of the best talent from Boston for her first solo tour and her first album released in September 1997, Lovesongs for Underdogs. Tanya released the new album to an audience expecting to hear "Belly-type" tunes. The critics had their disagreements, but the true fans all had one conclusion - she could still rock. Since the release of Lovesongs for Underdogs, Tanya was heavily on tour. As of now, Tanya has been working on a new album that should be expected towards the latter part of 1999.

Album Scan plus Set Lists:

• 
  1997 - Lovesongs for Underdogs
  1.Pretty Deep
  2.The Bright Light
  3.Landspeed Song
  4.Mysteries of the Unexplained
  5.Lantern
  6.Acrobat
  7.Breathe Around You
  8.Bum
  9.Clipped
  10.Goat Girl
  11.Manna
  12.Swoon
  

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Click here for my Tanya Picture Page

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