Autoclave (band)


Autoclave was an American indie rock band, based in Washington, D.C. They were on local label Dischord Records. Formed in the summer of 1990, the group consisted of vocalist and bassist Christina Billotte, lead guitarist Mary Timony, guitarist Nikki Chapman, and drummer Melissa Berkoff.
The group broke up in May 1991, with Timony forming Helium and Billotte forming Slant 6. Timony would later release solo albums on Lookout! and Matador, and release music as a member of Wild Flag and Ex Hex.
Autoclave became known for their intelligent, off-kilter brand of rock, which featured the use of compound and changing meters, thus affiliating them to some extent with the math rock movement.

History

Members Christina Billote and Melissa Berkoff began playing together in Washington D.C. in 1989, at that time in the band Hazmat. They later united with Nikki Chapman and Mary Timony, forming Autoclave. On the Diskord label, they then released a 7" record. Diskord was a joint label consisting of Olympia and Dischord. Prior to the band splitting up, the band released a second 10" record was released on Mira Records, the label belonging to Christina Billote.
Mary Timony went on to form the band Helium in Boston, whereas Christina remained in D.C. to form Slant 6, Quix-ot-ic and The Casual Dots.

Discography

;Anthologies
;EPs
;Compilation appearances