Mannequin Pussy is an American punk and indie rock band from Philadelphia, formed in 2010. The band currently consists of Marisa "Missy" Dabice (vocals, guitar), Kaleen Reading (drums), Colins "Bear" Regisford (bass, vocals) and Maxine Steen (guitar). During live performances, the band are joined by multi-instrumentalist Carolyn Haynes.

Mannequin Pussy
Mannequin Pussy performing in 2020
Background information
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres
Years active2010 (2010)–present
Labels
Members
  • Marisa Dabice
  • Kaleen Reading
  • Colins Regisford
  • Maxine Steen
Past members
  • Drew Adler
  • Athanasios Paul
Websitemannequinpussy.com

They have released four studio albums: Mannequin Pussy (2014), Romantic (2016), Patience (2019) and I Got Heaven (2024), and one EP, Perfect (2021).

History

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2010–2015: Early career and Gypsy Pervert/Mannequin Pussy

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Mannequin Pussy was formed in October 2010 by friends Marisa "Missy" Dabice and Athanasios Paul, who met when they went to school together. The band was initially a two-piece, with Dabice as the guitarist/singer and Paul as the drummer. In 2011, they released two EPs, titled Bonerjamz! and Meatslave. One of their songs, "Clue Juice", appears on "Leisure Rules", a cassette-only compilation released in July 2012 on the Reeks Of Effort label on Bandcamp. In the same month, thirteen of their songs were released on one side of a split tour cassette called "Banditos", with Idaho band Art Fad on the Trash Palace Tapes label.

At the beginning of 2013, Drew Adler joined the band as a drummer and Paul moved to guitar. Their first full-length album, Gypsy Pervert was released in October 2013, as a limited edition, cassette-only release on the Rarebit Records label. In November 2013, one of their songs appeared on The Le Sigh Vol. 1 Compilation.[1]

In 2014, Mannequin Pussy signed with Tiny Engines.[2] That same year, Mannequin Pussy re-released their debut album on the label titled Gypsy Pervert.[3] It was later renamed to the self-titled Mannequin Pussy after the band regretted the use of the word "gypsy", which is often used as pejorative against Romani people.

2015–2020: Romantic and Patience

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In 2015, Kaleen Reading joined the band as drummer, replacing Drew Adler. In 2016, bassist, Colins "Bear" Regisford joined the line-up as a bassist. Mannequin Pussy released their second full-length album on Tiny Engines titled Romantic on October 28, 2016.[4][5][6] The album's title track was ranked number 14 on Rolling Stone magazine's 50 Best Songs of 2016 list.[7] On May 30, 2017, Mannequin Pussy released a music video for the song "Pledge" on their YouTube channel.[8] Dabice told DIY:

"So many times in our life we find ourselves being influenced from the outside. People try to control us – our beliefs, our movements, our identities, our dress…; The video for Pledge sought to narrate a woman’s experience where her movements are controlled by a man, by the others who surround her and the powerful declaration that she is able to make to herself when she can free herself of the people who seek to conform her."

In June 2017, Mannequin Pussy embarked on a European tour, followed by shows in the United States from July to September.[9]

In 2019, Mannequin Pussy announced they had signed with Epitaph Records.[10] On April 24, they released the single "Drunk II" and announced their third album, Patience. The video for "Drunk II", directed by Dabice, depicts her falling in love with three different people at a bar.[11] Leading up to the release of the album, Mannequin Pussy released the singles "Who You Are" on May 20 and "Cream" on June 17.[12] The music video for "Cream", directed by Hanna Hamilton, takes inspiration from '70s horror movies.[13] Patience was released on June 21, 2019.[14] Dabice has described the album as being about un-learning self-hatred, practicing self-love, and being patient with yourself and others.[15]

In November 2019, the band's former label Tiny Engines went on hiatus due to an accounting dispute over not paying artists, including Mannequin Pussy.[16]

In March 2020, Mannequin Pussy was forced to cancel or postpone tour dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] On March 2, 2021, Dabice appeared as an FBI agent in the music video for "Be Sweet" by Japanese Breakfast.[18]

2021–present: Perfect EP and I Got Heaven

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Marisa "Missy" Dabice performing in September 2021

On March 18, it was announced that Paul had left to "begin a new chapter in his life" and the band would continue as a three-piece group.[19] On March 23, Mannequin Pussy announced an EP, titled Perfect, and released its first single, "Control".[20] A second single, the title track "Perfect", was released on April 26, 2021.[21]

Two Mannequin Pussy songs, "Who You Are" and "In Love Again", were performed in the 2021 HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown by the fictional band Androgynous.[22]

The Perfect EP was released on May 21, 2021.[23] The majority of the EP was written in the studio since the band members were continuing to self-isolate due to the pandemic. One of its songs, "Pigs Is Pigs", is the first Mannequin Pussy song to feature Regisford singing lead vocals.[24] Pitchfork's Arielle Gordon gave the EP a 7.2 out of 10, and noted "Perfect continues the sophistication of its immediate predecessor while introducing subtle shifts in sound and structure".[25]

In October 2021, the band embarked on tour with two new touring members: guitarist and keyboardist Carolyn Haynes and guitarist Maxine Steen.[26] On Saturday, October 30 the band members awoke to find that someone had stolen their 2012 Econoline touring van with attached U-Haul trailer, containing over $50,000 worth of equipment. Their tour continued with borrowed equipment from other bands.[27]

In August 2023, Mannequin Pussy bought back the rights to their masters from their former label Tiny Engines, and announced their own imprint label, Romantic Records. The debut release on the label was a reissue of their second album, Romantic.[28] On August 28, the band released the single "I Got Heaven" alongside a music video directed by Mason Mercer and Anthony Miralles set on a farm.[29] Touring guitarist Maxine Steen also became a full member, making the band once again a four-piece.[30] Mannequin Pussy is touring in the United States, Spain, and Portugal in September and October 2023.[31] In October, the band announced their fourth studio album I Got Heaven, which released on March 1, 2024.[32]

Band members

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Timeline

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Discography

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Studio albums

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Full-length studio albums by Mannequin Pussy
Title Album details
Mannequin Pussy
  • Released: September 9, 2014
  • Label: Tiny Engines
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, vinyl, cassette
Romantic
  • Released: October 28, 2016
  • Label: Tiny Engines
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl, cassette
Patience
  • Released: June 21, 2019[34]
  • Label: Epitaph
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl, cassette
I Got Heaven
  • Released: March 1, 2024
  • Label: Epitaph
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, vinyl

Extended plays

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Extended plays by Mannequin Pussy
Title Album details
Bonerjamz!
  • Released: 2011
Meatslave
  • Released: 2011
Mannequin Pussy on Audiotree Live
  • Released: February 1, 2017
  • Label: Audiotree
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Perfect
  • Released: May 21, 2021
  • Label: Epitaph
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

References

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  1. ^ Cirullo, Diana (December 5, 2013). "MONDAY MIX: THE LE SIGH VOL. 1". The Le Sigh. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  2. ^ Shrum, Tony. "Mannequin Pussy Joins Tiny Engines, Premieres Video; Debut LP Coming Soon". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014.
  3. ^ "Mannequin Pussy: Gypsy Pervert (2014)". Punknews. September 4, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  4. ^ Cummings, Raymond. "Mannequin Pussy: Romantic". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  5. ^ Gotrich, Lars (October 20, 2016). "Review: Mannequin Pussy, 'Romantic'". NPR. NPR Music. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  6. ^ Breihan, Tom (October 25, 2016). "Album Of The Week: Mannequin Pussy Romantic". Stereogum. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Sheffield, Rob (November 30, 2016). "50 Best Songs of 2016". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  8. ^ Rettig, James (June 1, 2017). "Mannequin Pussy – "Pledge" Video". Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  9. ^ Richards, Will (June 1, 2017). "Mannequin Pussy dance their way through 'Pledge' video". DIY. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  10. ^ "MANNEQUIN PUSSY SIGNS TO EPITAPH". Epitaph Records. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  11. ^ Newcomb, Ming Lee (April 24, 2019). "Mannequin Pussy announce new album, Patience, share captivating video for "Drunk II": Watch". Consequence. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  12. ^ Schatz, Lake (May 20, 2019). "Mannequin Pussy reveal new song "Who You Are": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  13. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (June 17, 2019). "Mannequin Pussy Made A Colorful, '70s-Style Horror Mini Movie With Their 'Cream' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Patience – Mannequin Pussy | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  15. ^ LeSuer, Mike (June 25, 2019). "Mannequin Pussy Learn to Accept Who They Are". Flood Magazine. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  16. ^ Rettig, James (November 10, 2019). "Adult Mom Accuse Label Tiny Engines Of Breach Of Contract Over Royalty Payments". Stereogum. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  17. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (March 16, 2020). "'It Could Be an Incredibly Quiet Year': 18 Artists On Bracing for Post-Coronavirus Life". Vulture. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  18. ^ Zhang, Cat (March 2, 2021). "Japanese Breakfast "Be Sweet"". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Mannequin Pussy have revealed they're now a three-piece". Upset. March 18, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  20. ^ Minsker, Evan (March 23, 2021). "Mannequin Pussy Announce Perfect EP, Share Video for New Song "Control": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  21. ^ "Mannequin Pussy share new single 'Perfect'". DIY. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  22. ^ Tenreyro, Tatiana (May 3, 2021). "Here's how Mare of Easttown created its fictional band, Androgynous". Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  23. ^ Lai, Jane (May 20, 2021). "Mannequin Pussy, "Perfect"". Flood Magazine. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  24. ^ Tenreyro, Tatiana (May 20, 2021). "Marisa Dabice on the unconventional path to Mannequin Pussy's Perfect EP". AV Club. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  25. ^ Gordon, Arielle (May 28, 2021). "Mannequin Pussy: Perfect EP Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  26. ^ Slatore, Henry (October 20, 2021). "Finding catharsis with Mannequin Pussy, live at the Teragram Ballroom". The Occidental. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  27. ^ "Akron Police release photos of suspects involved in $50,000 band equipment theft". November 4, 2021.
  28. ^ "Mannequin Pussy Launch New Label Romantic Records". Pitchfork. August 23, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  29. ^ Breihan, Tom (August 28, 2023). "Mannequin Pussy Share New Single "I Got Heaven": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  30. ^ Redfern, Mark (September 1, 2023). "Mannequin Pussy Share Video for New Song "I Got Heaven"". Under the Radar. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  31. ^ Renshaw, David (August 28, 2023). "Mannequin Pussy align with nature on "I Got Heaven"". The FADER. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  32. ^ Corocran, Nina (October 17, 2023). "Mannequin Pussy Announce New Album I Got Heaven, Share Video for New Song". News. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  33. ^ a b Dabice, Marisa [@mannequinpussy] (June 24, 2021). "Little lineup change I play bass in MP now and bear screams" (Tweet). Retrieved July 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ Blais-Billie, Braudie (April 24, 2019). "Mannequin Pussy Announce New Album Patience, Share New Song "Drunk II": Listen The Philadelphia band's Epitaph deb". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
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