Excuse 17

Excuse 17
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1993
Defunct	1995
Headquarters	Olympia, Washington, United States
Products	Punk rock music, albums, singles

Excuse 17 was a punk rock group originating from Olympia, Washington, active between 1993 and 1995. The band featured Becca Albee on vocals and guitar, Carrie Brownstein also on guitar and vocals, and Curtis James on drums. During their brief existence, they released two full-length albums and a single, while also contributing tracks to several compilation albums.

History

The trio of Brownstein, Albee, and CJ Phillips established Excuse 17, a band that, despite its short tenure, left a significant mark. Both Brownstein and Albee shared responsibilities for guitar playing and singing, with CJ providing percussion. They swiftly recorded a demo and participated in various compilations released by independent labels. Their first album, Excuse Seventeen, was issued as an LP through Atlas Records and as a CD via the queercore label Chainsaw Records. Their sophomore release, Such Friends Are Dangerous (1995), came out on the indie label Kill Rock Stars and showcased enhanced production values.

Excuse 17 often toured alongside Heavens to Betsy, with both bands being prominent contributors to the riot grrrl movement. They jointly appeared on the compilation album Free to Fight. Corin Tucker from Heavens to Betsy developed a partnership with Brownstein; this collaboration eventually led to the formation of Sleater-Kinney, which became their main project following the dissolution of their initial bands. The legacy of Excuse 17 continues to be appreciated by enthusiasts of Sleater-Kinney, riot grrrl, and queercore communities. Notably, Such Friends Are Dangerous was recognized by Pitchfork as one of the fifty finest indie rock records from the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, Albee teamed up with Tucker in the band Heartless Martin, releasing a cassette through Chainsaw Records in 1993.

Following Excuse 17's breakup, Albee embarked on a distinguished career in visual arts, earning recognition in publications such as Bomb, Tom Tom, Artforum, and Aperture. Her personal archives are maintained by the Fales Library at New York University. As of 2017, she serves as a photography instructor at the City College of New York.

Albums

Excuse Seventeen released on CD by Chainsaw Records and on LP by Atlas Records (1994)
Such Friends Are Dangerous issued by Kill Rock Stars (1995)

Singles

"Youth On Fire" split release with Lync, distributed by Candy Ass Records

Compilations

"Sevenwhateverteen" featured on Periscope, Yoyo Recordings (1994)
"Despise" included in Soda Jerk's Fountain of Youth (1994)
"Forever Fired" appearing on Free to Fight, co-released by Candy Ass and Chainsaw (1995)
"Carson" part of Yoyo A GoGo, Yoyo Recordings (1996)
"I'd Rather Eat Glass" included in A Slice Of Lemon, Kill Rock Stars (1996)

External links