Team Dresch: Full Life Interview

In this oral history the members of Team Dresch, Donna Dresch, Marcéo Martinez, Jody Bleyle, and Kaia Wilson, discuss their respective childhoods, meeting one another, and introduction to music. The band talks about their creative process, collaborative writing style, and differences in present and past dynamics. The group discusses the importance and drawbacks of genre and concrete categories. The members talk about their own and collective experiences of queer culture in the 90’s and what it meant to be a queer band. Donna Dresch and Jody Bleyle speak on the experience of running an independent record label, while Marcéo Martinez talks about his life as a trans man and gender journey. The interview concludes with their thoughts on the visibility of women in rock, gender as a construct, and what they are most proud of.
Donna Dresch is a guitarist and songwriter best known for founding her band Team Dresch. Dresch has been a queer public figure in the punk scene since the 1980s’. She is a prolific writer, contributing to and creating many zines over the years.
Marcéo Martinez is a drummer best known for his work in Team Dresch. He is a social worker and lives with his long term partner.
Jody Bleyle is a singer-songwriter and guitarist best known for her work in Hazel and Team Dresch.
Kaia Wilson is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and author best known for her work in Team Dresch. Wilson contributed an essay to Rock N' Roll Camp for Girls in 2008.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

[@Hir0-Protagonist]

Personal Best is a perfect album from start to finish!

[@belladivision9320]

I still listen to Team Dresch. It was such a great time in music. I loved ordering zines and records off of distros. I was so alone in the world and full of gut wrenching anxiety and depression. I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted out of life.
God I identify with so much of this interview. I would not be the person I am today without queer core and riot grrrl. I have an amazing partner. We unashamedly live our lives how we want. During the 90s I loved feminist punk but wasn’t ready to go against the grain like I do now. I’m finally in a place I longed for when I was younger.
“My mom says she loves me but I don’t think it’s loves because she only loves me when I act just like she does. That’s emotional blackmail…. “ I felt those lines so much. Now my mom exchanges text messages with my partner. My mom tells her how much she loves her. And thanks her for coming into my life. I had no idea that my partner has been collecting photos of our life together with my dogs and sending them to my mom. I just … never thought that would happen.
Team Dresch is such a huge part of my life. They helped me through so much. Like a friend that I could trust.

[@bexw]

this band really helped me through some formative years. i found them as a lonely kid and even now in my 40's i think of the line in musical fanzine "sometimes i can't remember why i wanna live, but i think of all the freaks and i don't wanna miss this" and it moves me to tears

[@mistrock322]

Have always been a huge fan of Team Dresch. I discovered them in my early 20's living in Fort Collins, CO. As a baby lesbian, I had never been exposed to "queer core" music. Remember who you are will always be one of my fav songs of theirs. I hope to see them live one day!

[@lisongagne4520]

I loved loved loved Team Dresch and listened to them all the time when I was teenager. I am so grateful you interviewed them.

[@LetsGoLive77]

I was so stoked to play guitar with Donna in a band called “Boorman” “Bourman” We played the Tropicana and The Gorilla Gardens. Oh, we even had an interview with Green River College. Good to see you here with your new adventures.

[@zippymufo9765]

Great band. HAND GRENADE was one of the best singles of the 90's.

[@frankotormenta6726]

I love Team Dresch! Why is Donna hiding??? JaJa!

[@Untoldnonsense]

Definitely late to this great interview but just wanted to say regarding the discussion of descriptors around 40 minutes i actually only found this band because of “AOL Radio” nearly 20 years ago and their station “Riot Grrl”, which of course also featured Bikini Kill, Sleater-kinney, L7, Bratmobile, etc

[@bernardosantarelliimpopsib3074]

Marcéo is adorable, nice to hear his story

[@alzirabotelho1753]

Love Kaia Wilson.

[@adamfstewart81]

we all do

[@chickyface7537]

I like this lot x

[@dai2581]

luv them

[@indiatastic]

So confused. Who is on the left?? Why is someone off-screen?

[@senshiofthewind]

I assume that Donna Dresch wanted to participate in the interview, but preferred to be out of frame.