Annie and Susy, both natives of Fargo, North Dakota, moved to Minneapolis around 2000 where they met Bill Morrisette of Dillinger Four. He suggested that they start a band with his girlfriend, Sturgeon, and were practicing with Dillinger Four's Lane Pederson filling in on drums by 2001. The name originates from when Annie was serving coffee at a previous job, a customer offered "your band should be called The Soviettes" instead of a tip. The band recorded their first EP, T.C.C.P., the same year. Soon Annie found Danny Henry to play with them permanently. In 2003, The Soviettes released the first LP entitled LP on Adeline Records of Oakland, California. In 2004, the band released their second LP entitled LP II, again on Adeline Records. The band was then noticed by Fat Wreck Chords in San Francisco, California and was shortly after signed with the label. The band released the song "Paranoia! Cha-Cha-Cha" for the compilation albumRock Against Bush, Vol. 1. On June 28, 2005, the band's third LP entitled LP III was released on Fat Wreck Chords. The members of The Soviettes have maintained a friendship with rapper P.O.S, and are referenced in "Crispin Glover" from his 2005 single "P.O.S. Is Ruining My Life". They also gained an association with the Minnesota RollerGirls with the single "Roller Girls" about the organization with backing vocals from some of the girls. They toured the United States extensively at the end of 2005 with Fat Wreck label-mates Against Me!, the Epoxies, and Smoke or Fire.
Breakup
After April 2006 the band went on hiatus indefinitely and, at the time, the members doubted the band would reform at all. Susy has since moved to Los Angeles, California. "I don't know why we broke up," said Danny Henry in 2007, "It was pretty natural. Bands are relationships, they're just more complicated because it's a four-way deal."
Post Soviettes
Since The Soviettes' hiatus, Annie and Danny have continued playing music together as the punk rock duo The Awesome Snakes. Sturgeon now plays in The Gateway District with Carrie, as well as Nate from Banner Pilot and Brad from Dear Landlord. Annie also performs with the God Damn Doo Wop Band.
Reunions
The band reunited in 2010 for some shows. The first was on March 18, 2010 at Eclipse Records in St. Paul, MN. Next was March 19, 2010 at the Turf Club in St. Paul, MN. Both shows were record release shows for their Rarities album, released for free on Red Sound Records. They also played at the Soda Bar in San Diego, CA on Sept 4th, 2010 as part of "Awesome Fest 4". On October 29, 2010 the band played at The Atlantic in Gainesville, FL as part of "Fest 9". The band played 2 more shows in 2010, one at the Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis, MN on 11/12/2010 and another at Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL on 11/13/2010, the latter opening for The Methadones on their final show. The band was scheduled to participate in "Weasel Fest", supporting Screeching Weasel at Reggie's Rock Club, Chicago, IL on 05/29/2011 but dropped off the bill following Ben Weasel's behavior at SXSW 2011. They did play at the Triple Rock Social Club in Minneapolis on 05/27/2011. The band also played a live show at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill Club on August 31, 2011.
"The Minneapolis quartet make songs that are loud, raw and clock in at under 2 minutes. They punch you in the gut and make you feel happy for the pain."
"Every song on LP III is under three minutes long and recalls the upbeat antics of the Ramones and, more recently, the Donnas."
"The Soviettes are an instant party, and the second they hit the stage you've received your invitation. You can't help but get caught up in their immediate infectious energy."
