Portland's hard-rocking trio of fashionable ladies.

It's true, alas. Sleater-Kinney is calling it a day, or eleven years, rather. The following letter from Portland's hard-rocking trio of fashionable ladies was released Tuesday morning by Sub Pop, the Seattle label that released last year's excellent Sleater-Kinney album The Woods. The Sub Pop folks say that the band is not doing interviews, and that it wants this statement to speak for itself. Sleater-Kinney will finish its summer tour (which includes no Pacific Northwest dates!) and then hang it up.

Weep, Portland. You have lost a great band.

After eleven years as a band, Sleater-Kinney have decided to go on indefinite hiatus. The upcoming summer shows will be our last. As of now, there are no plans for future tours or recordings.

We feel lucky to have had the support of many wonderful people over the years. We want to thank everyone who has worked with us, written kind words about us, performed with us, and inspired us.

But mostly we want to extend our gratitude to our amazing fans. You have been a part of our story from the beginning. We could not have made our music without your enthusiasm, passion, and loyalty. It is you who have made the entire journey worthwhile.

With love and thanks,

Sleater-Kinney

This is the end. My only friend. The end:

NOTE: This story pubslished on 6/27/2006

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Summer Tour Dates:

July 29 at Mellwood Arts Center, Louisville, Ky.

July 31 at Starlight Ballroom, Philadelphia, Pa.

Aug. 1 at 930 Club, Washington, D.C.

Aug. 2 at Webster Hall, New York City, N Y.

Aug. 4 at Lollapalooza (Grant Park), Chicago, Ill.

Sleater-Kinney: www.sleater-kinney.com

Sub Pop: www.subpop.com