Following the highly successful example of the White Stripes, a number of bass-less garage rock outfits emerged at the dawn of the twenty-first century, including the trio Gossip. Beth Ditto (b. 19 February 1981, Arkansas, USA; vocals), Nathan Howdeshell (b. Brace Paine, USA; guitar), and Kathy Mendonca (drums) originated from Searcy, Arkansas, before relocating to Olympia, Washington. The trio was soon up and running, issuing a self-titled four-song EP in 1999 and undaunted to publicize their pro-gay stance (as evidenced in their lyrics). Soon after, the trio signed a recording contract with the Kill Rock Stars label, and issued their debut, That's Not What I Heard, in 2000. A six-track EP, Arkansas Heat, followed two years later before the band got to work on their second album. Recorded in Seattle under the watchful eye of John Goodmanson, the sessions marked the first time that the Gossip had recorded in a true studio. The resulting release, 2003's Movement, showed that working in this environment did not hinder the trio's trademark raging rock.
Hannah Blilie replaced Mendonca in late 2004, making her debut the following year on the Tracy And The Plastics split EP Real Damage. The band's third studio album, Standing In The Way Of Control, received strong press coverage, with the title track's declamatory call to arms earning the trio an enviable cult status.
