Genres Queercore, riot grrrl | Years active 1993–2000, 2010 | |
Origin Portland, Oregon, United States Labels Chainsaw Records, Kill Rock Stars, Mr Lady Records | ||
The Third Sex was a popular American queercore band formed in 1993, in Portland, Oregon. The band featured Trish Walsh on guitar and vocals, Peyton Marshall on bass and vocals and, initially, a series of drummers. Although a smaller band, they helped propagate the queercore movement across the country. A part of the Riot Grrrl scene, The Third Sex were significant in feminism's third wave and both influenced, and were influenced by, DIY culture.
Third Sex lyrics were often political and featured songs of heartbreak and hidden relationships. Playing with bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile, The Third Sex travelled across the country, performing in hundreds of local venues and building a large grassroots following.
The band's first, eponymous 7-inch was released in 1995 on the Kill Rock Stars label, followed by their debut album Card Carryin on Donna Dresch's Chainsaw Records in 1996. This record represented several years of live performance and songwriting. In the wake of these releases, Third Sex started headlining their own shows, including performing many benefits for gay and lesbian youth clubs.
Sharylyn Menard joined on drums for the 1998 EP, "No Heart", for Kaia Wilson's Mr Lady Records, followed by second and final album Back To Go on Chainsaw records, which has been compared to Sleater-Kinney.
In 2010, The Third Sex reunited to play a benefit concert for Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. This was the first time Walsh and Marshall had played together since 2000. They were joined by Joell LeBlanc, on drums.