Viv Albertine, the former guitarist of the British punk band the
Slits, went on a long hiatus from music after the group's split in the early '80s. Working in film and raising a daughter, she never thought she would play music again. "After the Slits, I was so traumatized by it," Albertine tells Spinner. "I couldn't even listen to music for about three years. I auctioned off all my punk gear. It was like being in denial almost."
But after 25 years, Albertine took up her guitar again, which happened when she was invited to play some shows with the reunited Slits in 2008. In October, Albertine embarked on an American solo tour and is presently working on material for a new album next year.
"The strangest thing happened when I picked up the guitar. All these songs came rushing out," says Albertine. "I just can't stop playing now. It's a huge release for me. It almost means more than it did the first time around."