aeolianblues reblogged
not-so-well-known riot grrrl bands
ok what it says on the tin here’s a rec-list of not-so-well-known riot (or bands part of the scene) grrrl bands <3 that i know of :) abouts are copied from wiki pages & interviews, and the song links lead to youtube!
Big Joanie (2013-present): i don’t know enough people who listen to Big Joanie so they have to be on here. they have one of the best original sounds. literally so good.
- “ Big Joanie is a British punk trio formed in London in 2013. Its members are Stephanie Phillips (guitar and vocals), Estella Adeyeri (bass guitar and vocals), and Chardine Taylor-Stone (drums and vocals). Big Joanie was formed by Stephanie Phillips in 2013, who posted online asking for bandmates with whom to start a black feminist punk band after becoming frustrated with the lack of intersectionality in the scene. Chardine Taylor-Stone, and the band’s original bassist Kiera Coward-Deyell responded. Big Joanie who describe themselves as ‘The Ronettes filtered through 80s DIY and 90s riot grrrl, with a sprinkling of dashikis.’” rec: Tell A Lie, Used To Be Friends, Way Out, their cover of Cranes In The Sky. Spotify ; Youtube.
Emily’s Sassy Lime (1993-1997):
- “ Emily’s Sassy Lime was an all-Asian American teenage riot grrrl trio from Southern California, formed in 1993 by Wendy and Amy Yao, and Emily Ryan. They formed after sneaking out of their homes one night to see a Bikini Kill and Bratmobile show. They did not live very close to each other and did not own cars, so they often had to write their songs over the phone, sometimes leaving seminal ideas for tunes, jingles, and melodies on each other’s answering machines. (…) Their sound was a random, spontaneous indie garage punk-noise collage of “Whatever, just play.”” rec: 24 Hour Ride, Mr. Moneybag$, Bait & Switch. Spotify ; Youtube (topic).
Skinned Teen (1992–1994):
- “ Skinned Teen was a riot grrrl band from London, England, active in the early 1990s. They have been cited as an inspiration by Beth Ditto, Kathleen Hanna, and Josephine Olaussan of Love Is All. Skinned Teen was formed by teenagers Layla Gibbon, Flossy White and Esme Young in London in 1992. Inspired by US Riot Grrrl bands, Huggy Bear and The Shaggs, the band were offered their first gig after approaching Kathleen Hanna following a Huggy Bear/Bikini Kill show on their 1993 UK tour. “ rec: Double D, Pillow Case Kisser, Ex-Boyfriend Beat. Spotify ; Youtube (topic).
Huggy Bear (1991-1994): maybe a little more heard-of but hard to come by! they did a split lp with bikini kill.
- “ Huggy Bear were an English riot grrrl band, formed in 1991 and based in Brighton. Evolving in tandem with the Olympia, Washington-based riot grrrl movement led by bands such as Bikini Kill, Huggy Bear called themselves “girl-boy revolutionaries”, both in reference to their political philosophy and the gender makeup of their band. For the majority of their existence, they refused to be photographed or interviewed by mainstream press, nor gave their full names once they began releasing records formally. “ rec: Herjazz, Sizzlemeet, Pansy Twist.
Spotify;Youtube. like i said, hard to come by :\
Tattle Tale (1992-1995): ^same as above; maybe known but hard to come by. they have a softer sound! more indie & violin based.
- “ Tattle Tale was an American musical group that existed between 1992 and 1995. Composed of Jen Wood and Madigan Shive, they were active in the grrrl pop scene, playing what was later to be termed “folk punk.” The group was formed by Jen Wood and Madigan Shive in 1992 at the ages of 15 and 17. The group’s song, “Glass Vase Cello Case” was featured in the 1999 film But I’m A Cheerleader by Jamie Babbit. “ rec: Glass Vase Cello Case, Fly Away, Take Ten, Erica.
Spotify ; Youtube. (a lot of their songs are on compilations!)
Excuse 17 (1993-1995): because i think they belong here <3
- “ Excuse 17 was a punk rock band from Olympia, Washington, USA, that performed and recorded from 1993 to 1995. The band consisted of Becca Albee (vocals and guitar), Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), and Curtis James (drums). Brownstein, Albee and CJ Phillips (James) came together to form Excuse 17, a band that lasted only a few years but would prove to be influential. The band often played shows with Heavens to Betsy, including touring, as both bands were an active part of the riot grrrl scene. “ rec: I’d Rather Eat Glass, Nervousness Never Fades, This Is Not Your Wedding Song. Spotify ;
Youtube.
OP may I add on?
Voodoo Queens (1992-1999):
- Voodoo Queens were one of the few Asian punk/indie bands in Britain in the 90s, and were a riot grrl band, Anjali Bhatia (guitar, vocals), Ella Guru (guitar, backing vocals), Stefania 'Steffi' Lucchesini (drums), Rajni Bhatia (keyboards) and Anjula Bhaskar (bass). Their guitarist Ella would also go on to be a founding member of Stuckism, a modernist art movement originating in the UK 25 years ago. Voodoo Queens recorded an album and also did two Peel sessions in their lifetime, topped the Indie charts once, and singer Anjali went on to make many solo records following their split up. Songs I recommend: Supermodel - Superficial (live here), Kenuwee Head
Otoboke Beaver (2009-present):
- Otoboke Beaver are an incredible 4-piece punk band from Kyoto in Japan, consisting of singer Accorinrin, guitarist Yoyoyoshie, bassist Hirochan, and drummer Kahokiss. They describe themselves as more garage-rock, though the live energy they are known for can only be described as punk, and they often share lyrical themes with many riot grrl bands. Some of their highlights include sold out dates at The 100 Club in London, UK, supporting Shonen Knife (another band you need to know if you don't already) across the UK, Coachella 2018!, a fiery live set at SXSW 2023 that Rolling Stone described as "a goddamn riot and tight as hell", how I wish I was there to watch it! But they were also a part of the virtual SXSW 2021, where their home performances were available to watch on the SXSW website. Here's Don't Light My Fire, but it doesn't quite do justice to the storm they whip up when they have a crowd! Anyway, here are some more song recommendations: Chu Chu Song, their first single to breakthrough to public attention, the whole entire album Itekoma Hits (also it's a Bandcamp link, so if you feel like supporting them independently feel free by all means)
Les Shirley (2018-present):
- Montreal based punk trio Les Shirley may have officially started in 2018, but their members had been making music together since almost 2011/12, and they described their first outing as a 'lesbian electro pop quartet', before deciding they wanted to do much more rock n roll stuff, babey! They've put out some great music, two energy-driven albums, a chance to play an evening slot at Quebec's Festival d'Été to about 70,000 people, and opened for Foo Fighters at their intimate show in Montreal last summer. Banger riot grrl songs I'd recommend: Fuck It I'm In Love, It's Time
Taxi Girls (2023-present)
- A newer punk rock riot grrl trio also from Montreal who recently released a fuzzy debut EP called Coming Up Roses that is so worth checking out.
Tha Punketts:
- Tha Phunketts are a rock-punk band from Nairobi, Kenya, making political punk rock with solos and cool messages. Some songs I recommend: Hubris, 100 Million Tears, Abrasion
Problem Patterns
- Problem Patterns are a riot grrl band from Belfast, NI who have been making feminist, inclusive and political punk music for the last few years now, made up of members Beverley, Bethany, Ciara and Alanah. Some of my favourites are Big Shouty, Letter of Resignation (a song they say was written standing up for trans coworkers), Who Do We Not Save?
Brat Coven
- Glasgow, Scotland based riot grrl trio, aiming to make safer and more inclusive spaces in music by calling out violent, intimidating and unwelcoming behaviour in the music scene. They're pretty cool! Song recs: Nintety Seven, White Noise
Piper Maru
- Toronto hardcore punk/riot grrl band Piper Maru combine anti-establishment, anti-racist lyrics with blindingly heavy hardcore punk rock. Here's their EP, Most Of My Friends Died In Space.
The Anti-Queens (2013-present)
- Toronto punk rock band Anti-Queens bring a touch of hardcore and furious punk rock to their music. They've honed their skills in the Toronto underground scene for a decade, and released their self-titled debut album in 2019. Rumour has it they're recording their second album right now, which is apparently produced by Dave Baksh, 'Brownsound', the guitarist of Sum 41. Song recs: Worse Than Death, Small Victory
The Linda Lindas
- How could I finish this list without the Linda Lindas! A band of two siblings, a cousin and their friend, self-described as a half-Asian, half-Latina band, this LA riot grrl/rock n roll group blew up two years ago when a performance of their song Racist, Sexist Boy at the LA Public Library went viral on the internet and so many people latched onto their energy and fire-hot passion. And they were so young! Their drummer was 8 at the time, it's crazy: I just watched them play a televised (Youtube streamed) set at Coachella last year! Highly recommend: Racist, Sexist Boy; Oh!, Resolution Revolution
#punk#riot grrl#OP thank you for this post; digging back through my archive of cool riot grrl punk bands has just reminded me what I loved about#punk music so much!#Voodoo Queens#Otoboke Beaver#the linda lindas#the anti queens#piper maru#brat coven#problem patterns#tha punketts#taxi girls#les shirley