Began performing shows at local art galleries

The group began performing shows at local art galleries and other venues in late 1987. Local journalist Jon Bream, who initially disparaged the band, recalled: “They were a sort of loud, abrasive, angry, obnoxious thing at first and very amateurish in a sense. And then they developed over time into something that was pretty amazing…The shows just seemed to make more sense. There was a focus there…They were able to connect with the audience.” In 1988 they released their first single, ” Dust Cake Boy “, on Treehouse Records. The band entered the studio in 1989 to record their debut album, Spanking Machine , which was recorded with grunge producer Jack Endino at Seattle’s Reciprocal Recording and released in April 1990 on Minneapolis’ Twin/Tone Records . The album caught the attention of underground rock band Sonic Youth , whose frontman Thurston Moore invited the band to perform on Sonic Youth’s 1990 European tour to promote their latest album, Goo . Babes in Toyland subsequently performed alongside Sonic Youth at 1991’s Reading Festival , which was documented in Dave Markey ‘s music documentary 1991: The Year Punk Broke .