Blending the swing and stomp of Southern soul with the electric energy of punk, Gossip were one of indie rock’s most exciting acts in the early 21st century. Formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1999 by bellower Beth Ditto, guitarist Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell and drummer Kathy Medonça, the band—then known as The Gossip—were quickly embraced by the local punk scene, releasing an EP on storied label K and touring with the then-ascendant Sleater-Kinney. Known for their scorching live shows, which showed off Ditto’s overflowing charisma and powerful voice, The Gossip released their first album, That’s Not What I Heard, in 2001; the Arkansas Heat EP followed in 2002. Medonça left the band in 2003 and was replaced by Hannah Billie; that year, the band ditched the “The” from its name. Standing In the Way of Control, which incorporated more influences from dance-punk, followed in 2006, with its gay-rights-supporting title track becoming a hit among the indie cognoscenti. In the years that followed, Gossip transformed into a fiery dance-pop act; 2009's Music for Men featured the groove-forward "Heavy Cross", while 2012's even glossier A Joyful Noise brought in Cumbrian pop doctor Brian Higgins as co-producer.