The punk duo Heavens to Betsy played a surprise show in Portland last week to launch their first tour in more than three decades. Corin Tucker and Tracy Sawyer formed the band in the early 1990s before splitting in 1994.
Heavens to Betsy announced a fall tour that includes dates in San Francisco, New York, Chicago and other cities. The shows mark the first performances since the group’s 1994 breakup, which preceded the formation of Sleater-Kinney.
The band released one album, Calculated, on Kill Rock Stars in 1994 along with three singles. Tucker and Sawyer grew up as school friends in Eugene, Oregon, and formed the group in Olympia, Washington.
In a 2018 interview Tucker reflected on the duo’s influence, saying she hoped her work had helped make things better for women. Several dates list Team Dresch as support.