April 29-May 5, 2004

musicpicks

Sleater-Kinney

Rock/pop

A decade into their career, indie-rock goddesses Sleater-Kinney have finally launched their official Web site (www.sleater-kinney.com), complete with bios that read like personal ads and drawings of their fans' pets. But there's real substance beneath the fluff: Every week, the band responds to fan questions, with answers revealing the passion behind their bouncy rock. Recently, guitarist Corin Tucker divulged the origin of "Was It a Lie?" from 2000's All Hands on the Bad One (Kill Rock), describing her disgust when she learned that video footage of a woman's tragic train-yard death was used as entertainment in a bar. While that political spirit has always burned strong, the years have made Sleater-Kinney's music more and more accessible, smoothing out the grating edge of Tucker's wail with instrumentation that's more polished and melodic. For those perplexed that the ladies are touring behind an album almost two years old, never fear: Last time they played shows so long after a release, they graced the audience with a collection of new songs.

Thu., April 29, 7 p.m., $14, with the Thermals, The Trocadero, 1003 Arch St., 215-922-LIVE.

—Catherine Lewis

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