Le Butcherettes were founded in Mexico in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Teri Gender Bender (Denver-born and Mexican-bred Teri Suarez) and former drummer Auryn Jolene.
The band quickly garnered underground acclaim for their outrageous live shows: they dressed in '50s-era women's clothing and employed props (for political purposes) -- feather dusters, brooms, aprons, fake blood, flour, eggs, meat, and a real pig's head -- depicting women as slaves of the household. Jolene left the band in 2009. Gender Bender relocated to Los Angeles and recruited drummer Gabe Serbian of the Locust and itinerant bassist Jonathan Hischke (whose credits include Marnie Stern, Aaron Ross, and Joan of Arc), making Le Butcherettes a trio. The new band quickly gained recognition among musicians, which led to Le Butcherettes opening for Dead Weather in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs for their three Mexican shows on their 2010 tour. Mars Volta guitarist, composer, and producer Omar Rodriguez-Lopez signed Le Butcherettes to his own Rodriguez-Lopez Productions imprint in 2010, and shortly thereafter produced their first single, "Henry Don't Got Love," which appeared as a free download. Rodriguez-Lopez also produced and played bass on their debut long-player, Sin, Sin, Sin, with drummer Normandi Heuxdaflo. The album was issued on his label in the spring of 2011. Even though the recording employed a different lineup, the initial trio configuration remained together as a live unit. The band toured internationally and drew press raves for its visceral, theatrical stage presence.
Subsequently, Gender Bender permanently relocated to Los Angeles and entered into a creative partnership with Rodriguez-Lopez, forming and recording with the bands Bosnian Rainbows and Kimono Kult.
In early 2014, Le Butcherettes re-entered the studio and cut Cry Is for the Flies, for Rodriguez-Lopez's Nadie Sound label. Once more he produced and played bass on the set, along with drummer Lia Braswell. The group pre-released three digital singles. Fans who bought them were granted early-purchase access to the full-length three weeks before its release date on May 20. Teri Gender Bender was featured as vocalist on a limited-edition, lathe cut Melvins' single entitled "Rebel Girl" in early 2015, while the whole of Le Butcherettes shared a split-EP with the Melvins on Amphetamine Reptile a few months later. In September, Le Butcherettes released their next full-length entitled A Raw Youth. It was produced by Rodriguez-Lopez, and featured guest appearances from Iggy Pop ("La Uva") and guitarist John Frusciante ("My Half"). ~ Thom Jurek