About

Tribe 8 is an all-women outspoken dyke punk band from San Francisco. Considered one of the first queercore groups, they take their name from the practice of tribadism, a “tribe eight” being a play on the word tribade. Their songs often deal with subjects such as S/M, nudity, fellatio, and transgender issues, and the band was the subject of controversy because of this.

The makeup of the group changed over time, but Lynn Breedlove and Leslie Mah (formerly of Anti-Scrunti Faction) were consistent members. Other members included Flipper (Silas Howard), Slade Bellum, Jen Schwartz, Mama T, Kat Buell, and Tantrum.

Tribe 8 toured throughout the United States, playing at venues such as DUMBA and 924 Gilman Street; they also played in Europe and Canada, and released a number of recordings on independent record labels.

In 2003 the film Rise Above: A Tribe 8 Documentary, by director Tracy Flannigan, was released, documenting not only performances by the band but the motivations and reasons behind the band and the part it plays in their lives. The movie has won many awards at film festivals throughout the U.S.

Outside of the band, Lynn Breedlove is also the author of a novel, Godspeed, published in 2002, now translated into German as Goetterspeed, and a memoir “Lynnee Breedlove’s One Freakshow” published in 2009, winner of the 2010 Lambda Award for Transgender Writing. Leslie Mah has appeared in various films including The Yo-Yo Gang by G.B. Jones; Shut Up White Boy, co-directed by Vu T. and Thu Ha; and produced her own film, Estrofemme, in 1998.

Lynn Breedlove wrote, co-directed, co-produced, and starred in a short film Godspeed, based on the novel by the same name, which debuted in festivals in 2007. It features Jillian Lauren, Adam Horowitz, Leslie Mah, and Bucky Sinister, with cameos by Meliza Banales and Jewelle Gomez. The comedy solo show on trans bodies, community, and feminism “Lynnee Breedlove’s One Freak Show”, continues to tour worldwide.

Outside of Tribe 8, Jen Schwartz is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer.  In 2010, she formed the band Me Of A Kind, releasing its debut album You Are Here in October 2011.

Albums and EPs

  • By the Time We Get to Colorado EP, 1995, Outpunk Records
  • Roadkill Cafe EP, 1995, Alternative Tentacles Records
  • Fist City 1995 Alternative Tentacles
  • Snarkism 1996, Alternative Tentacles
  • Role Models for Amerika 1998 Alternative Tentacles
  • Thanx For the Mammaries 2005 Self

Singles

  • Pig Bitch EP 7″, 1991, Harp Records
  • Bitches and Brews split 7″ single with Blatz 1992 Lookout! Records
  • Allen’s Mom EP 1994, Outpunk Records

Compilations

  • There’s a Dyke in the Pit 7″ EP, 1991 Outpunk
  • Stars Kill Rock, 1993 Kill Rock Stars
  • Outpunk Dance Party, 1996 Outpunk
  • New Women’s Music Sampler, 1999, Mr Lady
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