Mary-Jo Kopechne is a Canadian bass player and founding member of the band The Modernettes.
The Modernettes were formed in 1979, based on the central partnership of
John Armstrong, aka Buck Cherry, and Mary Armstrong, aka Mary-Jo
Kopechne. John formed the Modernettes soon after Active Dog split up in early 1979, drafting drummer John McAdams and Mary to form the “classic” three-piece.
They released the landmark Teen City 12-inch EP in 1980 on Quintessence
Records, and made a video for lead-off track Barbra. They would split
up, then reform, and release two more 12-inch EPs before dissolving in
late 1983. In 1991 Zulu Records released a CD collection of Modernettes
studio recordings and unreleased live tracks, Get It Straight; later
reissued and currently available from Sudden Death Records.
The band created some of the most memorable music of the era. Unlike much of what
came out of that period, Modernettes sound absolutely contemporary
today.
