Merrill Beth Nisker better known by her stage name
Peaches, is a Canadian
electronicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
musician and performance artist who lives in
BerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
,
GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics. She plays her own instruments for her songs, programs her own electronic beats, and
producesA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
her own albums.
Her songs have been featured in movies such as
Mean GirlsMean Girls is a 2004 American teen comedy-drama film directed by Mark Waters. The screenplay was written by Tina Fey and is based in part on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, which describes how female high school social cliques operate and the effect they can have...
, Waiting..., Jackass Number Two,
My Little EyeMy Little Eye is a 2002 British horror film directed by Marc Evans about five adults who agree to spend six months together in an isolated mansion while being filmed at all times. The idea for the film came from reality television shows such as Big Brother...
, and
Lost in TranslationLost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
. Her music has also been featured on television shows such as
Lost GirlLost Girl is a Canadian supernatural crime drama television series that premiered on the Showcase Television network in September 2010. The series is developed and produced by Prodigy Pictures. The series follows the life of a succubus named Bo, played by Anna Silk, as she learns to control her...
,
The L WordThe L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
,
Ugly BettyUgly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
,
South ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
,
30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
and has been used for the promotion of
DirtDirt is an American television serial broadcast on the FX network. It premiered on January 2, 2007 and starred Courteney Cox as Lucy Spiller, the editor-in-chief of the first-of-its-kind "glossy tabloid" magazine DirtNow, which was previously two separate publications: drrt and Now Dirt (styled...
. Peaches performed guest vocals on Pink's album
Try This-Limited edition bonus DVD:# Pink's Pix – A photo gallery featuring pictures from the Try This photo shoot.# Album Lyrics – Lyrics that are printed in the album's booklet....
, on the song "Oh My God," on the
Chicks on SpeedChicks on Speed is a multi-national musical ensemble, formed in Munich in 1997, when members Melissa Logan, Kiki Moorse and Alex Murray-Leslie met at the Academy of Fine Arts....
album
99 CentsA video clip for "We Don't Play Guitars", directed by Deborah Schamoni, is included....
, on the song "
We Don't Play Guitars"We Don't Play Guitars" is the first single from Chicks on Speed's album 99 Cents and features Peaches. It was placed at #84 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2003.- Critical reception :...
" and recently on
Christina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's 2010 album Bionic, on the song "My Girls" (which was produced and co-written with
Le TigreLe Tigre is an American electroclash band, formed by Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman in 1998. It also featured Sadie Benning from 1998 until 2001, and JD Samson for the rest of the group's run...
) and in the movie
Drive AngryDrive Angry is a 2011 American action film starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Patrick Lussier. It was released on February 25, 2011.- Plot :...
with Nicolas Cage.
Early life
Born Merrill Beth Nisker in Toronto, Ontario, she attended a private
Jewish schoolA Jewish day school is a modern Jewish educational institution that is designed to provide Jewish children with both a Jewish and a secular education in one school on a full time basis, hence its name of "day school" meaning a school that the students attend for an entire day and not on a part time...
where her classes were taught half in
EnglishEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and half in
HebrewHebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
. Nisker was a class clown, who "wasn't particularly smart. I was interested in creative performance stuff but that turned out to be difficult for me because it was all so structured," she told
Kitty EmpireKitty Empire is the pen name of a British writer and music critic.Empire was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1970 and brought up in Canada, Italy and Egypt before arriving in Britain in 1988....
of the
The ObserverThe Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
.
Before she became Peaches, Nisker was a music and drama teacher at
Associated Hebrew Schools of TorontoAssociated Hebrew Schools of Toronto is a private traditional elementary and middle school Jewish day school with two campuses in Toronto, Ontario and one campus in Thornhill, Ontario. The three branches are; the Kamin Education Centre located in Thornhill, the Posluns Education Centre...
.
1990–99: Mermaid Cafe, Fancypants Hoodlum, the Shit
During the early 1990s, Nisker was part of folk trio Mermaid Cafe. The name was taken from the
Joni MitchellJoni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
song "
Carey"Carey" is a song from the 1971 Joni Mitchell album Blue. It was inspired by her time with a cave-dwelling hippie community in the village of Matala, on the Greek island of Crete.-Autobiographical elements:...
". She later released her first album,
Fancypants HoodlumFancypants Hoodlum is the debut album by Merrill Nisker, a Canadian musician who subsequently gained fame under the stage name Peaches.-Track listing:#"Tic Toc" – 1:54#"Flexy Boy" – 3:40#"Throw My Name" – 4:23#"Skybag" – 4:37#"Radio" – 3:47...
, under the name Merrill Nisker in 1995, and subsequently developed the style and persona that would take her to international fame as Peaches. In 1995, she started the Shit, a noisy four-piece combo with
Chilly GonzalesGonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
(a.k.a. Jason Beck), bassist Sticky (later of
Weeping TileWeeping Tile was a Canadian rock band in the 1990s.-History:The band was started by singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer in 1993, when she was invited to fill in for the opening band at a Thomas Trio and the Red Albino concert in Ottawa...
and Music Maul), and Dominique Salole (a.k.a.
MockyMocky is a Somali-Canadian singer, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer.-Biography:Mocky was born Dominic Salole in Saskatchewan, Canada. He later moved to Ottawa and Toronto, and then to London, Amsterdam and Berlin. His father is of Somali descent, but was born in...
). Their absurd, highly sexual rock music was a harbinger for what Nisker would become, as it was during this time that she adopted the Peaches name. The Peaches moniker is taken from the
Nina SimoneEunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
song "
Four Women"Four Women" is a song written by singer, composer, pianist and arranger Nina Simone, released on the 1966 album Wild is the Wind. It tells the story of four different African American women...
" where Simone screams at the end, "My name is Peaches!" In Toronto, before rising to fame, she was a roommate of fellow recording artist Feist. Feist worked the back of the stage at Peaches' shows, using a
sock puppetA sock puppet is a puppet made from a sock or similar garment. When the manipulator fits a hand into the closed end of the sock, the puppet can be seemingly made to "talk". The puppet's mouth is formed by the region between the sock's heel and toe, with the puppeteer's thumb forming a jaw...
and calling herself "Bitch Lap Lap". The two also toured together in England from 2000–2001, staying with
Justine FrischmannJustine Elinor Frischmann is an English singer and guitarist, best known for being the lead singer of the now defunct band Elastica...
of
ElasticaElastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...
and
M.I.A.Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
Peaches inspired M.I.A. to use the
Roland MC-505The Roland MC-505 is a combination of MIDI sequencer/arranger, synthesizer, and drum machine with built-in real-time Arpeggiator, LFO, VCF and Envelope Knobs for tweaking...
in her own compositions.
2000–02: The Teaches of Peaches
After creating a six-track EP, Lovertits, Peaches moved to
BerlinBerlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
,
GermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. While visiting her old friend Jason Beck, who was enjoying modest European success as Chilly Gonzales in his new home base of Berlin, Peaches landed a one-night gig. On the merits of that show alone, Berlin's
Kitty-YoKitty-Yo is a German record label specializing in quirky pop and electronica. It was founded in 1994 in Berlin following the creation of an independent zine of the same name...
label signed her on the spot. The label offered her the chance to record a new album,
The Teaches of PeachesThe Teaches of Peaches is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, and her first under the stage name Peaches. It was released on September 5, 2000 by Kitty-Yo...
, back home in Toronto, and the already-completed Lovertits EP was released in the summer of 2000. The full-length album
The Teaches of PeachesThe Teaches of Peaches is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, and her first under the stage name Peaches. It was released on September 5, 2000 by Kitty-Yo...
, was released that fall.
Peaches appeared on the British TV show
Top of the PopsTop of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
, but her performance was deemed too racy to be aired.
Nisker signed to a European contract by
SonySony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
following the release of
The Teaches of PeachesThe Teaches of Peaches is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, and her first under the stage name Peaches. It was released on September 5, 2000 by Kitty-Yo...
. She later made a big-budget video for the song "
Set It Off"Set It Off" is a song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as the lead promo single from her debut album The Teaches of Peaches...
", in which she sat in a locker room as her pubic and armpit hair grew to
Rapunzel"Rapunzel" is a German fairy tale in the collection assembled by the Brothers Grimm, and first published in 1812 as part of Children's and Household Tales. The Grimm Brothers' story is an adaptation of the fairy tale Persinette by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont de La Force originally published in 1698...
length.
SonySony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
subsequently dropped her. "Now they want their money back," Peaches said.
In 2001, Nisker's 34AA bust was one of the first female busts cast by famous 1960s groupie
Cynthia Plaster CasterCynthia Plaster Caster , whose real name is Cynthia Albritton, is an artist and self-described "recovering groupie" who creates plaster casts of famous persons' penises and breasts. She began her career in 1968 by casting penises of rock musicians. She later expanded her subjects to include...
, who was better known for making molds of male rockers' genitalia.
In 2002, Peaches appeared in "Hideous Man", a short film directed by
John MalkovichJohn Gavin Malkovich is an American actor, producer, director and fashion designer with his label Technobohemian. Over the last 25 years of his career, Malkovich has appeared in more than 70 motion pictures. For his roles in Places in the Heart and In the Line of Fire, he received Academy Award...
. The short was created as a showcase for clothing designed by
Bella FreudBella Freud is a London-based fashion designer with a number of celebrity clients.-Life and career:Freud was born in London, England. She is the daughter of Bernardine Coverley and artist Lucian Freud and great granddaughter of the inventor of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. Her father Lucian Freud...
, and featured the poetry of
Gary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
.
2003–05: Fatherfucker
In 2003, Peaches released her
secondSophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
album
FatherfuckerFatherfucker is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on September 23, 2003 by XL Recordings. Cover versions of Electric Six's "Gay Bar" and Berlin's "Sex " are included as bonus tracks.-Writing and development:...
on
XLXL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire...
/
Kitty-YoKitty-Yo is a German record label specializing in quirky pop and electronica. It was founded in 1994 in Berlin following the creation of an independent zine of the same name...
after years of touring and opening for artists like
Marilyn MansonMarilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
and
Queens of the Stone AgeQueens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
. She once again penned and programmed all of her album's music herself. The single "
Kick It"Kick It" is a collaboration between Peaches and Iggy Pop and is the third single from the album Fatherfucker.-Critical reception:Tim Jonze of NME commented that the song is "splattered with sleaze and sharp as a blade," and that "this is rock'n'roll how it should be played." Conversely, Heather...
" features
Iggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
and which Peaches described to Rolling Stone as "more about rock 'n' roll than sex."
For her album Fatherfucker, Peaches was nominated in the "Outstanding Music Artist" category for the 15th GLAAD Media Awards along with
Rufus WainwrightRufus McGarrigle Wainwright is an American-Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded six albums of original music, EPs, and tracks on compilations and film soundtracks.-Early years:...
, Meshell Ndegeocello,
Junior SeniorJunior Senior was a pop musical duo from Denmark. The duo consisted of Jesper "Junior" Mortensen and Jeppe "Senior" Laursen ....
, and
Bitch and AnimalBitch and Animal, a duo consisting of musicians Bitch and Animal Prufrock, were a queercore band that performed from 1995 to 2004. Bitch and Animal have kept their birth names out of publication for both political and artistic reasons...
, but lost to Rufus Wainwright.
2006–08: Impeach My Bush
For her third album, 2006's
Impeach My BushImpeach My Bush is the fourth studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on July 11, 2006 by XL Recordings. Guest appearances on this album include Joan Jett, Josh Homme, Samantha Maloney, and her one-time roommate Feist....
, Peaches enlisted guest musicians
Joan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
,
Greg KurstinGregory Allen "Greg" Kurstin is an award-winning American songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In 2009 Kurstin received a Grammy Award nomination for Producer of the Year. That same year he won three Ivor Novello awards for his work with Lily Allen, including Songwriters of the Year for "The Fear"...
, Josh Homme,
Samantha MaloneySamantha Maloney is an American musician best known for playing in the bands Hole, Mötley Crüe, Eagles of Death Metal and in Peaches' live band "The Herms".-Early career:...
,
Beth DittoMary Beth Patterson, known by her stage name Beth Ditto , is an American singer-songwriter, most famous for her work with the indie rock band Gossip.-Personal life:...
, Feist, Dave Catching,
Brian O'ConnorBrian Robert O'Connor is best known for his role as bass guitarist for rock band Eagles of Death Metal...
and
Radio SloanRadio Sloan is a musician from Olympia, Washington.She is best known as a guitarist for The Need, the band she formed with Rachel Carns; her other bands include Ce Be Barns Band, The Circuit Side, Fact or Fiction, Grandpa's Ghost Stories; and Courtney Love's short-lived all-female backing band The...
to perform on several of the tracks.
The Herms (short for
hermaphroditeIn biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has reproductive organs normally associated with both male and female sexes.Many taxonomic groups of animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both...
s) were formed in spring 2006 as Peaches' live backing band. They played at small and large venues alike with sex and sex related themes as the "shock factor" for the audience. "Herms" is a reference to 1970s duo
Peaches & HerbPeaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker...
and blending of words her and him. Peaches and Herms was the opening act for
Nine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
and
BauhausBauhaus was an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy , Daniel Ash , Kevin Haskins and David J . The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation...
during the second half of their 2006 summer U.S. tour.
In August 2006, Peaches posed for an anti-
seal cullingSeal hunting, or sealing, is the personal or commercial hunting of seals. The hunt is currently practiced in five countries: Canada, where most of the world's seal hunting takes place, Namibia, the Danish region of Greenland, Norway and Russia...
advertisement campaign created by
People for the Ethical Treatment of AnimalsPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and two million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights...
(PETA) called "Fur is Dead". The advertisement featured an image of Peaches juxtaposed with an image of a baby seal being clubbed, with the words "Canada's Club Scene Sucks" printed over the image of Peaches.
In 2007 Peaches posed as a model for an advertisement by the
Vestal WatchesVestal was founded in 1997 by David Bonaventura in Newport Beach, California. Vestal is a privately held company that designs, develops and manufactures unique watches predicated on image and style...
company. The advertisement was shown in
The FaderThe FADER, or FADER, is an United States-based music/culture/fashion magazine that covers hip-hop, reggae, independent rock, pop and dance music from around the world.-Overview:...
magazine.
Peaches was nominated for her album "Impeach My Bush" in the category "Outstanding Music Artist" at the 18th GLAAD Media Awards along with the Ditty Bops,
Owen PallettMichael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
,
Pet Shop BoysPet Shop Boys are an English electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasional guitar, and Chris Lowe on keyboards....
, and the
Scissor SistersScissor Sisters are an American band "spawned by the scuzzy, gay nightlife scene of New York" who took their name from a sexual position between two women also known as tribadism...
, but lost to the Scissor Sisters.
Peaches played live at the Parklife Festival in
AustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, in the fall of 2008, with her now current
GermanGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
live band
Sweet MachineSweet Machine is a rock band from Berlin, Germany formed in 2005. Its members are Saskia Hahn , Cornelius Rapp - a.k.a Conner and Mathias Brendel - History :...
.
2009–present: I Feel Cream
Her fourth album
I Feel CreamI Feel Cream is the fifth album by Canadian recording artist Peaches. It was released May 4, 2009 in Europe and May 5, 2009 in North America by XL Recordings. The album was produced by Simian Mobile Disco, as well as Soulwax, Digitalism, Shapemod and Drums of Death.-Critical reception:I Feel Cream...
, was released on May 4, 2009 in Europe and May 5 in North America. The first single from the project is a double A-side of "
Talk to Me"Talk to Me" is an Electro-Soul song written by Peaches and her longtime collaborator and friend Gonzales, and produced by Soulwax. It is the first single from the album I Feel Cream...
" and "More". Peaches enlisted some of her contemporaries to co-produce a number of tracks including Simian Mobile Disco, Soulwax, Digitalism and Shapemod. Long time friend and collaborator Gonzales co-wrote some of the songs on I Feel Cream and
Shunda KLashunda Nicole Flowers, better known as Shunda K, is an American MC whose songs are noted both for their use of spiritual and sexually explicit lyrics.-Yo Majesty 1998 - 2009:...
(the voice of
Yo MajestyYo! Majesty is an American hip hop group consisting of rapper Shunda K and singer Jwl B, produced by UK-based electro group HardfeelingsUK.Yo! Majesty was mentioned as one of the 'Top 11 new bands of 2008' by NME magazine as well as one of the '25 Most Exciting Bands In America'.-Biography:Yo!...
) featured on the track "Billionaire".
Peaches has been noted for her stage costumes and flamboyant sense of style. Her looks are often both nostalgic and futuristic; aggressive and glamorous; and push the limits of gender identity. Peaches and her band
Sweet MachineSweet Machine is a rock band from Berlin, Germany formed in 2005. Its members are Saskia Hahn , Cornelius Rapp - a.k.a Conner and Mathias Brendel - History :...
wear costumes from a variety of designers but most notably she works closely with stylist/designer Vaughan Alexander, celebrity hairstylist Charlie Le Mindu, and a young American fashion designer by the name of John Renaud.
In 2010, Peaches and backing band Sweet Machine once again toured Australia performing at the sold out
Big Day OutThe Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
festivals and at a series of sideshows. Peaches was supported on this tour by
Shunda KLashunda Nicole Flowers, better known as Shunda K, is an American MC whose songs are noted both for their use of spiritual and sexually explicit lyrics.-Yo Majesty 1998 - 2009:...
who performed their collaboration "Billionaire" at BDO festivals and at the sideshows, and was also the opening act at the sideshows.
On March 14, 2010, Peaches was awarded as the 'Electronic Artist of the Year' at the 10th Annual Independent Music Awards held in Toronto, Canada.
In March 2010, the copyright owners of the musical
Jesus Christ SuperstarJesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
denied Peaches from performing the one-woman version of it that she was planning to stage in Berlin. After receiving the attention of several media outlets, Peaches successfully negotiated with those rights-holders, and the musical was performed March 25–27 at Berlin's
HAU1The Hebbel am Ufer is a theater and international performance center based in Berlin, Germany. It was founded fusioning 3 theaters in Kreuzberg, Berlin:* Hebbel Theater, now called HAU1...
.
GonzalesGonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
accompanied Peaches on piano.
Travis JeppesenTravis Jeppesen , Florida is an American novelist, poet, and art critic.He grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and moved to New York City at the age of 17. He received his B.A. from The New School, where he studied literature and philosophy...
stated in his review for
ArtforumArtforum is an international monthly magazine specializing in contemporary art.-Publication:The magazine is published ten times a year, September through May, along with an annual summer issue...
, "Not only did Peaches set it off, she managed to surprise us all by showing off an expansive vocal range, a musician's natural sensitivity to the dynamics of Andrew Lloyd Webber's score, and an emotive prowess that is rarely if ever displayed in her own, less holy, music."
Peaches appeared in a film called
Ivory TowerIvory Tower is a 2010 Canadian feature film and the directorial debut of Adam Traynor, a musician from the German-based hip-hop group Puppetmastaz. The film was co-written by Canadian pianist and rapper Gonzales and French director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma...
, which also includes spots from Feist, Chilly Gonzales,
TigaTiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
and Gonzales' mother. Peaches stars as Marsha, a performance artist engaged to a man named Thaddeus (
TigaTiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
). Things get complicated when her ex, Hershall (
GonzalesGonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
) comes back into her life. The movie is set in
TorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and was shot over 13 days in late Winter/early Spring 2010. It was co-written by
GonzalesGonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
and Céline Sciamma (who directed/wrote
Water LiliesWater Lilies is a 2007 French film and the debut as a screenwriter and director of Céline Sciamma.-Plot:The film tracks the sexual awakenings of three 15-years-old female friends over the course of a single summer...
), was directed by Adam Traynor and produced by Nicolas Kazarnia.
Ivory TowerIvory Tower is a 2010 Canadian feature film and the directorial debut of Adam Traynor, a musician from the German-based hip-hop group Puppetmastaz. The film was co-written by Canadian pianist and rapper Gonzales and French director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma...
was given a limited theatrical release in August 2010.
In May 2010,
Christina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
announced that Peaches was among the collaborators on her fourth studio album Bionic. Peaches is featured on a track called "My Girls". The song was cowritten and produced by
Le TigreLe Tigre is an American electroclash band, formed by Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman in 1998. It also featured Sadie Benning from 1998 until 2001, and JD Samson for the rest of the group's run...
.
On August 30, 2010, Peaches released a new single titled "Jonny". The single is part of a tribute series to
Alan VegaAlan Vega For several years other sources stated that he was born in 1948 – see 'Myth' section is an American vocalist, primarily known for his work with electronic protopunk duo, Suicide...
from the band
SuicideSuicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
. Other musicians who have released tribute singles as part of the series include
The HorrorsThe Horrors are an English band from Southend on Sea, formed in 2005. Their debut Strange House, was released in 2007 and reached number thirty-seven on the UK Albums Chart, their second album Primary Colours was released in 2009 and peaked at number 25 in the UK...
,
Primal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
,
KlaxonsKlaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
and
Bruce SpringsteenBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
.
Peaches also appears as a guest musician on
R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
's 2011 release
Collapse into NowCollapse into Now is the fifteenth and final studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 7, 2011 on Warner Bros...
, contributing vocals to the song "Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter".
Themes
Gender identityA gender identity is the way in which an individual self-identifies with a gender category, for example, as being either a man or a woman, or in some cases being neither, which can be distinct from biological sex. Basic gender identity is usually formed by age three and is extremely difficult to...
is one theme of Peaches' music, often playing with traditional notions of
gender roleGender roles refer to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered to be socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex in the context of a specific culture, which differ widely between cultures and over time...
s representation. Her lyrics and live shows consciously
blurGenderfuck refers to the conscious effort to mock or "fuck with" traditional notions of gender identity, gender roles, and gender presentation. It falls under the umbrella of the transgender spectrum.-Genderfucking:...
the
distinctionThe gender binary is the classification of sex and gender into two distinct and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine. It is one general type of a gender system. It can describe a social boundary that discourages people from crossing or mixing gender roles, or from creating other third ...
between male and female; for example, she appears on the cover of her album
FatherfuckerFatherfucker is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on September 23, 2003 by XL Recordings. Cover versions of Electric Six's "Gay Bar" and Berlin's "Sex " are included as bonus tracks.-Writing and development:...
with a full beard. When asked if she had chosen the title for shock value, she commented:
She disputes accusations of "
penis envyPenis envy in Freudian psychoanalysis refers to the theorized reaction of a girl during her psychosexual development to the realization that she does not have a penis....
", preferring the term "hermaphrodite envy, since "there is so much male and female in us all."
AgeAgeing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
has been another theme of Peaches' music in recent years. The lyrics from several songs from her 2009 album
I Feel CreamI Feel Cream is the fifth album by Canadian recording artist Peaches. It was released May 4, 2009 in Europe and May 5, 2009 in North America by XL Recordings. The album was produced by Simian Mobile Disco, as well as Soulwax, Digitalism, Shapemod and Drums of Death.-Critical reception:I Feel Cream...
tackle the issue of age, including Trick or Treat ("you lick my crow's feet"), Show Stopper ("Never mind my age, it's like we're breaking out of a cage") and Mommy Complex. Peaches has criticized
ageismAgeism, also called age discrimination is stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups because of their age. It is a set of beliefs, attitudes, norms, and values used to justify age based prejudice, discrimination, and subordination...
directed against her, telling the New York Daily News that "I'm going to make aging cool".
Inspiration
Peaches lists
John WatersJohn Samuel Waters, Jr. is an American filmmaker, actor, stand-up comedian, writer, journalist, visual artist, and art collector, who rose to fame in the early 1970s for his transgressive cult films...
,
Cindy ShermanCindy Sherman is an American photographer and film director, best known for her conceptual portraits. Sherman currently lives and works in New York City. In 1995, she was the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship. She is represented by Sprüth Magers Berlin London in and Metro Pictures gallery in...
,
Paul McCarthyPaul McCarthy , is a contemporary artist who lives and works in Los Angeles, California.-Life:McCarthy was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and studied art at the University of Utah in 1969. He went on to study at the San Francisco Art Institute receiving a BFA in painting...
and the films
Tron-Film:*Tron , a franchise that began in 1982 with the Walt Disney Pictures film Tron** Tron , a 1982 science fiction film by Disney, starring Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan, Dan Shor and David Warner...
,
GreaseGrease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway...
,
Liquid SkyLiquid Sky is an independent American film. It debuted at the Montreal Film festival in August 1982 and was well received at several film festivals thereafter. It was produced with a budget of $500,000. It became the most successful independent film of 1983 grossing $1.7 million dollars in the...
and
Phantom of the ParadisePhantom of the Paradise is a 1974 musical film written and directed by Brian De Palma. The story is a loosely adapted mixture of The Phantom of the Opera, The Picture of Dorian Gray and Faust and also briefly references Frankenstein and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari...
as inspiration for the visuals in her live shows.
Albums
| Year |
Album details |
Peak chart positions |
| UK The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
|
UK
DanceThe UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital...
|
UK
Ind.The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
|
US The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
|
US
Dance
|
US
Heat.Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
|
US
Ind.The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...
|
BEL
(FL)Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
|
FRAThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
|
DEU The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie...
|
SWISwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
|
| 1995 |
Fancypants Hoodlum Fancypants Hoodlum is the debut album by Merrill Nisker, a Canadian musician who subsequently gained fame under the stage name Peaches.-Track listing:#"Tic Toc" – 1:54#"Flexy Boy" – 3:40#"Throw My Name" – 4:23#"Skybag" – 4:37#"Radio" – 3:47...
- Released: 1995
- Label: Accudub Inc.
- Formats: CD
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, 12" LPThe LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
|
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2000 |
The Teaches of Peaches The Teaches of Peaches is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, and her first under the stage name Peaches. It was released on September 5, 2000 by Kitty-Yo...
Released: September 5, 2000
Label: Kitty-YoKitty-Yo is a German record label specializing in quirky pop and electronica. It was founded in 1994 in Berlin following the creation of an independent zine of the same name...
Formats: CD, 12" LP |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2003 |
Fatherfucker Fatherfucker is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on September 23, 2003 by XL Recordings. Cover versions of Electric Six's "Gay Bar" and Berlin's "Sex " are included as bonus tracks.-Writing and development:...
Released: September 23, 2003
Label: XL RecordingsXL Recordings is a British independent record label owned by Richard Russell. It originated as a 1989 offshoot of Beggars Banquet Records.Though only releasing an average of six albums a year, XL Recordings has worked with The Prodigy, Radiohead, The White Stripes, Dizzee Rascal, M.I.A., Vampire...
Formats: CD, 12" LP |
93 |
3 |
14 |
— |
5 |
35 |
33 |
— |
132 |
— |
— |
| 2006 |
Impeach My Bush Impeach My Bush is the fourth studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on July 11, 2006 by XL Recordings. Guest appearances on this album include Joan Jett, Josh Homme, Samantha Maloney, and her one-time roommate Feist....
Released: July 11, 2006
Label: XL Recordings
Formats: CD, 12" LP |
132 |
3 |
13 |
168 |
5 |
4 |
13 |
— |
156 |
— |
— |
| 2009 |
I Feel Cream I Feel Cream is the fifth album by Canadian recording artist Peaches. It was released May 4, 2009 in Europe and May 5, 2009 in North America by XL Recordings. The album was produced by Simian Mobile Disco, as well as Soulwax, Digitalism, Shapemod and Drums of Death.-Critical reception:I Feel Cream...
Released: May 5, 2009
Label: XL Recordings
Formats: CD, 12" LP |
152 |
— |
— |
160 |
5 |
5 |
23 |
73 |
184 |
75 |
75 |
Singles
| Year |
Title |
Peak chart positions |
Album |
| UK The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
|
UK Dance Chart The UK Dance Chart is a chart compiled by The Official Charts Company from sales in record stores and digital downloads. Although the chart does not currently receive any airplay on the radio or television, the chart can be viewed on the BBC Radio 1 and The Official Charts Company website.Digital...
|
Belgian Dance Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts...
|
FRA The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry...
|
AUT
|
US Dance Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes...
|
| 2000 |
"Lovertits "Lovertits" is a song by electroclash singer Peaches. It was released with the Lovertits EP in 2000 after Merrill Nisker adopted the performing name Peaches.-Critical reception:...
” |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
The Teaches of Peaches The Teaches of Peaches is the second studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, and her first under the stage name Peaches. It was released on September 5, 2000 by Kitty-Yo...
|
| 2001/2002 |
"Set It Off "Set It Off" is a song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as the lead promo single from her debut album The Teaches of Peaches...
" |
36 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2003 |
"Rock Show" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| "Operate "Operate" is a Dance-punk song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as a double limited vinyl A-side with "Shake Yer Dix" to promote the release of her second studio album Fatherfucker.-Song usage:...
" |
112 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Fatherfucker Fatherfucker is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on September 23, 2003 by XL Recordings. Cover versions of Electric Six's "Gay Bar" and Berlin's "Sex " are included as bonus tracks.-Writing and development:...
|
| "Shake Yer Dix "Shake Yer Dix" is an electroclash song written and produced by Peaches, and featuring Mignon. The song was originally released as part of a double limited vinyl A-side along with the song "Operate"...
" |
97 |
1 |
27 |
— |
— |
— |
| 2004 |
"Kick It "Kick It" is a collaboration between Peaches and Iggy Pop and is the third single from the album Fatherfucker.-Critical reception:Tim Jonze of NME commented that the song is "splattered with sleaze and sharp as a blade," and that "this is rock'n'roll how it should be played." Conversely, Heather...
"
(Peaches featuring Iggy PopIggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
) |
39 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2006 |
"Downtown "Downtown" is the first single from Peaches' third album Impeach My Bush. "Downtown" was the "Single of the Week" on XFM and chosen by NME as their choice single...
" |
50 |
5 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Impeach My Bush Impeach My Bush is the fourth studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on July 11, 2006 by XL Recordings. Guest appearances on this album include Joan Jett, Josh Homme, Samantha Maloney, and her one-time roommate Feist....
|
| "Boys Wanna Be Her "Boys Wanna Be Her" is a song written and recorded by Peaches, released as the second single from her third full-length album, Impeach My Bush.-Track listing:# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:57# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:14...
" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| 2007 |
"Wild Thing "Wild Thing" is the name of rapper Tone Lōc's 1988 single from the album Lōc-ed After Dark. The title is a reference to the phrase "doin' the wild thing," a euphemism for sex, unlike The Troggs' hit song, "Wild Thing", in which the "wild thing" was a girl.Tone Lōc's song peaked at number two on...
"
(Tone LocAnthony Terrell Smith , better known by his stage name Tone Lōc, is an American rapper and actor.-Early life and career:...
featuring Peaches) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
4 |
Non-album single |
| 2009 |
"Talk to Me "Talk to Me" is an Electro-Soul song written by Peaches and her longtime collaborator and friend Gonzales, and produced by Soulwax. It is the first single from the album I Feel Cream...
" / "More"Talk to Me" is an Electro-Soul song written by Peaches and her longtime collaborator and friend Gonzales, and produced by Soulwax. It is the first single from the album I Feel Cream...
" |
— |
— |
— |
99 |
51 |
— |
I Feel Cream I Feel Cream is the fifth album by Canadian recording artist Peaches. It was released May 4, 2009 in Europe and May 5, 2009 in North America by XL Recordings. The album was produced by Simian Mobile Disco, as well as Soulwax, Digitalism, Shapemod and Drums of Death.-Critical reception:I Feel Cream...
|
| "Lose You "Lose You" is an Italo-Disco song written by Peaches and Simian Mobile Disco, and produced by Simian Mobile Disco. It is the second single from the album I Feel Cream. Alternatively, the "Lose You " was released in Germany by International DeeJay Gigolo Records. The version "Lose You" "Lose...
" |
— |
— |
11 |
— |
— |
— |
| "I Feel Cream "I Feel Cream" is a disco song written collaboratively by Peaches, Drums of Death and Simian Mobile Disco, and produced by Peaches, Drums of Death and Shapemod...
" |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
Soundtracks
- The song "Fuck the Pain Away
"Fuck the Pain Away" is an electroclash song by Peaches. It is considered her breakthrough song, and because of its widespread licensing in films as well as numerous official and unofficial cover versions is held by many of her fans to be responsible for her increasing popularity...
" was used in a scene in the film Lost in TranslationLost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
in which Bob and Charlotte, the two main characters, find themselves in a strip club. The song does not appear on the soundtrack CD. It was also featured in 30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
(Season 4 Episode 14), Jackass Number Two, in the Old Man Balls scene, a "South ParkSouth Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
" episode called "Butters' Bottom Bitch"Butters' Bottom Bitch" is the ninth episode of the thirteenth season of the American animated television series South Park, and the 190th overall episode of the series. It originally aired on Comedy Central in the United States on October 14, 2009...
" and in the horror film My Little EyeMy Little Eye is a 2002 British horror film directed by Marc Evans about five adults who agree to spend six months together in an isolated mansion while being filmed at all times. The idea for the film came from reality television shows such as Big Brother...
and appeared in "Drive Angry" (2011).
- "Operate" is played during the Halloween house party scene in the film Mean Girls
Mean Girls is a 2004 American teen comedy-drama film directed by Mark Waters. The screenplay was written by Tina Fey and is based in part on the non-fiction book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, which describes how female high school social cliques operate and the effect they can have...
. It also appears in Waiting...and during a wet t-shirt contest in the episode "Nevada State" of Las VegasLas Vegas was an American television series broadcast by NBC from September 22, 2003 to February 15, 2008. The show focuses on a team of people working at the ficticional Montecito Resort & Casino dealing with issues that arise within the working environment, ranging from valet parking and...
.
- She performed the song "I U She" on season two of The L Word
The L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
, in the episode titled "L'Chaim". The same song appeared on the show's season two soundtrack when she performed live in an episode.
- "Boys Wanna Be Her
"Boys Wanna Be Her" is a song written and recorded by Peaches, released as the second single from her third full-length album, Impeach My Bush.-Track listing:# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:57# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:14...
" was played at the end of the fourth episode of season 4 of The L WordThe L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
, when Katherine MoennigKatherine Sian Moennig is an American actress known for her role as Shane McCutcheon on The L Word, as well as Jake Pratt on Young Americans. In 2009, she starred as Dr. Miranda Foster on CBS Three Rivers.- Personal life :Moennig was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Broadway dancer Mary Zahn...
's character, Shane McCutcheonShane McCutcheon is a fictional character from the American Showtime television drama series The L Word, played by Katherine Moennig.-Backstory:...
, modelled underwear for Hugo BossHugo Boss AG is a German fashion and lifestyle house based in Metzingen, Germany that specializes in high-end mens- and womenswear. It is named after its founder Hugo Boss . It is owned by the Italy-based Valentino Fashion Group, itself owned by British private equity firm Permira.-Today:Hugo Boss...
. It also was played in the Ugly BettyUgly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
episode "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", advertisements for the FX series DirtDirt is an American television serial broadcast on the FX network. It premiered on January 2, 2007 and starred Courteney Cox as Lucy Spiller, the editor-in-chief of the first-of-its-kind "glossy tabloid" magazine DirtNow, which was previously two separate publications: drrt and Now Dirt (styled...
and the soundtrack for the 2009 film Whip It!. A remix version of the song is also in the EA game Need for Speed Pro Street.(The remix is called Tommie Sunshine's Brooklyn Fire Retouch)
- The Gap used the song "Do Ya" in their Fall 2006 TV ad campaign titled "Jeans Take Shape".
- On The Mighty Boosh Live
The Mighty Boosh was a stage-show written and performed by Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, also known as The Mighty Boosh. Michael Fielding, Rich Fulcher, and Dave Brown also appeared in the show. It toured from February 2006 to April 2006.-Overview:...
DVD, Bollo is singing "Fuck the Pain Away"Fuck the Pain Away" is an electroclash song by Peaches. It is considered her breakthrough song, and because of its widespread licensing in films as well as numerous official and unofficial cover versions is held by many of her fans to be responsible for her increasing popularity...
" in the tribute song to Naboo.
- "You Love It" was played at the ending of the CSI: NY
CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes...
season 3 episode "Oedipus Hex".
- Peaches' "Kick It
"Kick It" is a collaboration between Peaches and Iggy Pop and is the third single from the album Fatherfucker.-Critical reception:Tim Jonze of NME commented that the song is "splattered with sleaze and sharp as a blade," and that "this is rock'n'roll how it should be played." Conversely, Heather...
" with Iggy Pop is on the soundtrack for Midnight Club 3: DUB EditionMidnight Club 3: DUB Edition is a racing game, developed by Rockstar San Diego and published by Rockstar Games, and is the third game in the Midnight Club series. Like previous installments in the series, the game is an arcade-style racer and focuses on wild, high-speed racing, rather than...
.
- "Set it Off
"Set It Off" is a song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as the lead promo single from her debut album The Teaches of Peaches...
" is heard in the movie CashbackCashback is the name of two films directed by Sean Ellis: a 2004 short film and a 2006 feature film. Both were produced by Lene Bausager, starring Sean Biggerstaff and Emilia Fox. The feature was released by Magnolia Pictures in late 2006 and also starred Michelle Ryan...
. This is the second time a Peaches song appears in a strip club scene, the other being Lost in TranslationLost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
. "Set It Off" is also used in "The CutThe Cut is a BBC television soap opera for teenagers, first broadcast in September 2009. The series was developed by BBC Switch and Holby City writer, Al Smith in collaboration with KateModern producer Pete Gibbons and Hollyoaks director, Sarah Walker...
" (episode title: Rewind Me).
- "Kick It
"Kick It" is a collaboration between Peaches and Iggy Pop and is the third single from the album Fatherfucker.-Critical reception:Tim Jonze of NME commented that the song is "splattered with sleaze and sharp as a blade," and that "this is rock'n'roll how it should be played." Conversely, Heather...
" is featured on the commercial in Australia for the 2008 Subaru impreza.
- The song "The Inch" was used in the film Itty Bitty Titty Committee
Itty Bitty Titty Committee is a feminist, lesbian-related comedy film directed by Jamie Babbit. It was released on 28 September 2007.The film had its premiere at the international film festival Berlinale on 9 February 2007, where it was nominated for a Teddy Award for Best Feature...
in the scene where Shulie and Calvin are hooking up in the car while Anna and Sadie are doing the same in the motel room.
- The song "Mud" was used in the second episode of The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith. The series premiered on The CW Television Network on September 10, 2009, and is currently in its third season that...
(episode title: The Night of the Comet) when Elena confronts Jeremy about his behavior.
- "Show Stopper" was featured on an episode of Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
in 2009.
- The song “Fuck the Pain Away
"Fuck the Pain Away" is an electroclash song by Peaches. It is considered her breakthrough song, and because of its widespread licensing in films as well as numerous official and unofficial cover versions is held by many of her fans to be responsible for her increasing popularity...
” was used as Liz Lemon’s cell phone ringtone during the episode of 30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
entitled "Future Husband"Future Husband" is the fourteenth episode of the fourth season of the American television comedy series 30 Rock. It was directed by series producer Don Scardino, and written by Jon Haller and Tracey Wigfield. The episode originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company network in the United...
". The lyrics “Huh, What, Right, Uhh” can be heard. "Operate" is played during the Halloween house party scene in the film Mean Girls, a film scripted by Fey, creator, writer, producer and star of 30 Rock30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
.
- The song "Take You On" was used in promos for Kell on Earth
Kell on Earth is an American reality docudrama starring Kelly Cutrone, the founder of the public relations, branding and marketing firm People's Revolution. The series premiered on February 1, 2010 on the Bravo television network...
.
- In 2011 the song "Boys Wanna Be Her" was featured in a commercial for the 2011 Subaru Forester. The commercial features Japanese Sumo wrestlers riding and sitting on the vehicles in their traditional dress with the slogan "Sexy comes standard".
Covers and samples
- Peaches covered Berlin
Berlin is an American New Wave/Synthpop band. The group was formed in Los Angeles in 1978 by John Crawford . The band contained Crawford, Terri Nunn , David Diamond , Ric Olsen , Matt Reid and Rod Learned . Learned left during the first EU tour and was replaced by Rob Brill...
's "Sex (I'm A...)"Sex " is the second single from the album Pleasure Victim by Berlin.-Cover versions:Canadian electroclash musician Peaches covered the song as a bonus track for her albums, The Teaches of Peaches and Fatherfucker....
" as an extra track on the Teaches of Peaches bonus disc
- Peaches and the band Electric Six
Electric Six is a six-piece metro Detroit-based band that plays what has been described as a brand of rock music infused with elements of "garage, disco, punk, new wave, and metal." The band met recognition in 2003 with the singles "Danger! High Voltage" and "Gay Bar", and subsequently recorded...
are friends, and have each covered one of the other's songs; Peaches covered "Gay Bar"Gay Bar" is a song written and performed by the Detroit-based rock band Electric Six. It was the second single off their debut album, Fire released in 2003....
" and Electric Six covered "Rockshow"Rock Show" is a song written and recorded by Peaches. The song was released as a promotional and limited single from her full-length studio album, The Teaches of Peaches in 2003.-Music video:...
".
- Peaches sampled Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
's "Bad Reputation" for the song "I Don't Give a..."
- Peaches did a parody of Alanis Morissette
Alanis Nadine Morissette is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, and actress. She has won 16 Juno Awards and seven Grammy Awards, was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and also shortlisted for an Academy Award nomination...
's version of The Black Eyed PeasThe Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
' "My Humps"My Humps" is the third single by The Black Eyed Peas from their fourth album, Monkey Business. It samples a section of the song "I Need a Freak" by Sexual Harassment, as well as the 1989 song "Wild Thing" by Tone Lōc and "It's Automatic" by Freestyle. Released in 2005, it reached number three in...
'" called "My Humps, My Dumps". Yo MajestyYo! Majesty is an American hip hop group consisting of rapper Shunda K and singer Jwl B, produced by UK-based electro group HardfeelingsUK.Yo! Majesty was mentioned as one of the 'Top 11 new bands of 2008' by NME magazine as well as one of the '25 Most Exciting Bands In America'.-Biography:Yo!...
and Inara GeorgeInara Maryland George is a Los Angeles, California-based singer-songwriter, one half of The Bird and the Bee, a member of the band Merrick, with Bryony Atkinson, and a member of the trio The Living Sisters, with Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark...
also appear in the video.
- Peaches covered the Stooges' song "Search and Destroy" for the "War Child Presents Heroes" benefit album.
- Peaches covered Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
's "Irresistible Bitch"Let's Pretend We're Married" is a song by Prince from his 1982 album 1999. It was also the final US single from the album. The song consists mainly of keyboards and drum machines, along with Prince's vocals. Two verses followed by choruses form the main basis of the song...
".
- Peaches covered Suicide
Suicide is an American electronic protopunk musical duo, intermittently active since 1970 and composed of vocalist Alan Vega and Martin Rev on synthesizers and drum machines. They are an early synthesizer/vocal musical duo....
's song "Johnny", retitled as "Jonny".
Filmography
| Film |
| Year |
Film |
Role |
Notes |
| 2001 |
Chromezone XXX |
Herself |
Super-8 bike porn that Peaches directed and starred in |
| 2002 |
Hideous Man |
Beat Poet |
Part of ensemble for short film collaboration with John MalkovichJohn Gavin Malkovich is an American actor, producer, director and fashion designer with his label Technobohemian. Over the last 25 years of his career, Malkovich has appeared in more than 70 motion pictures. For his roles in Places in the Heart and In the Line of Fire, he received Academy Award...
and Bella FreudBella Freud is a London-based fashion designer with a number of celebrity clients.-Life and career:Freud was born in London, England. She is the daughter of Bernardine Coverley and artist Lucian Freud and great granddaughter of the inventor of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud. Her father Lucian Freud...
|
| 2009 |
Life on the Road with Mr. and Mrs. Brown |
Herself |
Documentary film about James BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and Tomi Rae BrownTomi Rae Hynie is an American singer who was a companion of James Brown. Hynie is the mother of James Joseph Brown II, born June 11, 2001.-Singing career:...
|
| 2010 |
Ivory Tower Ivory Tower is a 2010 Canadian feature film and the directorial debut of Adam Traynor, a musician from the German-based hip-hop group Puppetmastaz. The film was co-written by Canadian pianist and rapper Gonzales and French director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma...
|
Marsha Thirteen |
Plays performance artist in collaboration with Gonzales Gonzales, , is a Grammy-nominated Canadian musician currently residing in Paris, France. Though best known for his first MC and electro albums, he is also a pianist, producer, and songwriter....
, Feist and TigaTiga is the stage name of Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga James Sontag . His album Sexor won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year.-Career:He graduated from Selwyn House School, a prestigious school in Westmount...
|
| Television appearances |
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 2001 |
SexTV SexTV is a Canadian documentary television series which explores many issues about human sexuality. The show premiered in 1998 and spun off a television channel called SexTV: The Channel in 2001....
|
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2004 |
Clash of Cultures |
Herself |
TV documentary about the electroclash Electroclash is a style of music that fuses New Wave and electronic dance music. It emerged in New York and Detroit in the later 1990s, pioneered by acts including I-F and those associated with Gerald Donald, and is associated with acts including Peaches, Adult, and Fischerspooner...
music scene |
| 2004 |
Sex 'n' Pop |
Herself |
1 episode, TV mini-series |
| 2004 |
Durch die Nacht mit... |
Herself |
1 episode alongside Heike Makatsch- Early life :Makatsch was born in Düsseldorf, Germany, the daughter of former German national ice hockey team goaltender Rainer Makatsch. She spent several months in New Mexico in 1988 in an effort to improve her English, and later studied politics and sociology at the University of Düsseldorf for...
and Marilyn MansonMarilyn Manson may refer to:* Marilyn Manson , an American rock musician* Marilyn Manson , the American rock band led by the singer of the same name...
, TV documentary series |
| 2005 |
The L WordThe L Word is an American co-production television drama series originally shown on Showtime portraying the lives of a group of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their friends, family and lovers in the trendy Greater Los Angeles, California city of West Hollywood...
|
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2006 |
Current TV Current TV, or Current, is a media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt. Comcast owns a ten percent stake of Current's parent company, Current Media LLC....
|
Herself |
Episodes unknown |
| 2006 |
Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey |
Herself |
TV documentary aired in New Zealand |
| 2006–2007 |
The Henry Rollins Show The Henry Rollins Show was a weekly talk show hosted by Henry Rollins on the Independent Film Channel . The show featured Rollins' monologues, interviews with celebrities and uncensored musical performances. The show was canceled after the wrap of its second season.-Sections:Each episode features...
|
Herself |
2 episodes in 2006 and 2007 |
| 2008 |
What Perez Sez |
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2008 |
Nightline Nightline is a New Zealand late night news show currently on TV3 hosted by Sacha McNeil. Nightline, hosted usually in the 10.30pm to 11.00pm timeslot, has a high focus on the arts and current events. It competes directly with TVNZ's Tonight show...
|
Herself |
Interview |
| 2009 |
Last Call with Carson DalyLast Call with Carson Daly is an American late night talk show that is broadcast on NBC. The show is hosted by Carson Daly, the half-hour show featuring celebrity interviews, documentary-style coverage of a topic, and musical performances. Last Call airs weeknights at 1:35 a.m. Eastern / 12:35 a.m....
|
Herself |
2 episodes |
| 2009 |
House of Venus ShowCreated by Canadian filmmaker Mark Kenneth Woods and co-produced by Michael Venus, the first season of the world's first LGBT themed sketch comedy TV show started airing on OUTtv in July 2005. The second season began airing in September, 2006 and, after a hiatus, a third season debuted in July,...
|
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2009 |
Canal+ Canal+ is a French premium pay television channel launched in 1984. It is 80% owned by the Canal+ Group, which in turn is owned by Vivendi SA. The channel broadcasts several kinds of programming, mostly encrypted...
Album de la Semaine |
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2010 |
Q TV |
Herself |
1 episode |
| 2010 |
Subterranean Subterranean was a weekly music show on MTV2 dedicated to alternative, indie, and underground music and artists. The show was made as the modern-day continuation of MTV's 120 Minutes...
|
Herself |
Host for 1 episode |
Awards and nominations
| Year |
Category |
Genre |
Recording |
Result |
| GLAAD Media Awards |
| 2004 |
Outstanding Music Artist |
Music & Theater |
Fatherfucker Fatherfucker is the third studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on September 23, 2003 by XL Recordings. Cover versions of Electric Six's "Gay Bar" and Berlin's "Sex " are included as bonus tracks.-Writing and development:...
|
|
| 2007 |
Outstanding Music Artist |
Music & Theater |
Impeach My Bush Impeach My Bush is the fourth studio album by Canadian recording artist Peaches, released on July 11, 2006 by XL Recordings. Guest appearances on this album include Joan Jett, Josh Homme, Samantha Maloney, and her one-time roommate Feist....
|
|
| MVPA Awards The Music Video Production Association is a music industry trade organization, based in Los Angeles, that is made up of producers, directors, and other professionals involved in the creation of music videos....
|
| 2007 |
Best Make-up |
Music Video |
Boys Wanna Be Her "Boys Wanna Be Her" is a song written and recorded by Peaches, released as the second single from her third full-length album, Impeach My Bush.-Track listing:# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:57# "Boys Wanna Be Her" – 3:14...
|
|
| UK Music Video Awards The UK Music Video Awards is an annual celebration of creativity, technical excellence and innovation in music video and moving image for music....
|
| 2009 |
Best Styling |
Music Video |
Talk to Me "Talk to Me" is an Electro-Soul song written by Peaches and her longtime collaborator and friend Gonzales, and produced by Soulwax. It is the first single from the album I Feel Cream...
|
|
| Independent Music Awards |
| 2010 |
Electronic Artist of the Year |
Dance/Electronica |
— |
|
External links