Blog: PopMatters

When the Gossip's musical mastermind Nathan Paine began constructing his own unique strain of dance-punk in Portland, few people knew what to make of it. Now, in 2009, no one dare snicker, as his band has produced the most unlikliest of fashion icons, droves of fans, and even the professional support of some guy named Rick Rubin ... On paper, the story of the Gossip is a familiar one: hardworking garage-rockers transfer to a big label and find sudden stardom. However, the Gossip aren't your typical band. Lead singer Beth Ditto -- a plus-size, outspoken gay feminist -- defies [...]