[1] Prior to her work with Beat Happening, Lewis was a member of the Supreme Cool Beings, who are notable for having the first ever release on K Records, 1982's Survival of the Coolest.
[3] Lewis grew up in Westchester County, New York, and left to attend Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington, in 1980.
After adding Doug Monaghan, the trio, including drums, sax, and guitar, was named the Supreme Cool Beings.
[4][5] The Supreme Cool Beings played a live performance of eight songs for Calvin Johnson's radio show on KAOS (FM).
[4] Lewis' role in Beat Happening, which rotated between drums, guitar, and vocals,[4] is cited by important musicians from Olympia's riot grrl scene as an inspiration, such as Bratmobile's Molly Neuman,[8] and Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill.