Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane is a Portland grunge band active from 1989 to 1992. The group is associated with riot grrrl, grunge, punk, garage rock and punk rock. It forms around vocalist and guitarist Gilly Ann Hanner and drummer Lisa Koenig, with Ronna Era on bass in the early line-up.

Formation and early activity

The band starts in Olympia, Washington, around 1988, and performs under other names including Catbox and Sometimes Why. After Ronna Era leaves to form Treehouse, Hanner’s sister Megan joins. The band builds a following through shows in Portland, which leads to the move there in 1989.

Line-up changes and recordings

After the move to Portland, the group records its first album while singles have already appeared earlier on cassette with Pat Maley. Lisa Koenig then returns to Olympia. Megan later leaves for New Mexico, and Hanner begins rebuilding the band. She recruits Joanna Bolme on bass and Marci Martinez to replace Koenig. Megan later returns to Portland and takes back up the bass, while Bolme stays as second guitar.

Split and later notes

Calamity Jane breaks up in 1992 after opening for Nirvana in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The group is reported to have been booed and spat at before leaving the stage. Gilly Ann Hanner is also noted as being friends with Elliott Smith and Kurt Cobain, and Nirvana plays at her birthday party.

Membership

The Portland line-up includes Gilly Ann Hanner, Joanna Bolme, Megan and Marci Martinez, with Lisa Koenig and Ronna Era part of the earlier configuration.