grrrl 2

SEVEN YEAR BITCH - was next in my journey into riot grrrl. Selene Vigil was backed by some first class axewomen in Elizabeth Davis on bass and firstly Stephanie Sergeant then Roisin Dunne on lead.

Big friends and devotees of Mia Zapata, her horrible death, and the OD of Stephanie Sergeant, nearly finished the band. Elizabeth Davis put her grief to good use in founding 'Home Alive' to fight domestic violence.

SYB were frustrating and I think never reached their potential. They never quite found a groove, IMO. Punk, rap, metal, what? 'Knot' is astonishingly good - off 'Sick em' with a great live version on the movie 'Hype.' It's punk, it's rage, it's from the heart.

Selene Vigil has a great voice, but she persists with a kind or rap/talking which annoys me. Davis and Vigil harmonize really well, but there's not enough of it. Selene can howl like a banshee - but, she doesn't do enough of that, either. When they do hit their straps it's wonderful. I just wish they'd done it more often.

For all that, I love the 'Bitch.' (RIP - Stephanie Sergeant)

BABES IN TOYLAND - Ahhh!!! scary, wonderful!!! Setting aside the major label CD 'Nemesisters' few can deliver the vitriol quite like our Kat Bjelland. Whereas Courtney was clever, Kat cuts loose with abuse that would shame a stevedore. Awesome live, Kat is four foot nothing of fury.

Almost imploded following the murder of Joe Cole, roadie and partner of their first bass player, Maureen Herman admirably stepped into her shoes. Lori Barbero is a weird drummer - after the fashion of Mo Tucker of the Velvet Underground.

Courtney Love, Kat Bjelland and Jennifer Finch - Sugar Babydoll? Where are those lost tapes? I wanna hear them!! (RIP Joe Cole)

BIKINI KILL - Punk purists and ground zero for riot grrrl. Kicking guys out of the mosh pit for hassling the grrrls, Kathleen Hanna was unofficial spokeswomen of a movement that eschewed 'alternative hierarchies.' Trendsetter with a shrill voice, Hanna was whom the press descended on. Four foot nothing, she bounced around like a superball with ferocious energy.

Better live than on record, nevertheless, their collaboration with Joan Jett produced 'Rebel Girl,' a classic. 'Reject all American' is my favourite BK album, and IMO, the most varied and listenable.
THE GITS - from Ohio's Antioch College via Seattle. Mia Zapata was Godmother to the riot grrrls with her punk sensibilities and throaty. bluesy voice. Three of the Gits were guys - with guitarist Andy Kessler Mia's partner. Arrived in Grunge Zero Seattle late 80s and established themselves as a class act on the scene.

Mia was an alcoholic who expressed her battle with addiction through her confessional, tragic lyrics. 'Seaweed' 'Precious Blood' 'Second Skin' 'Social Love' iconic, anthemic, intense, moving songs and drum-tight musicianship.

The band splintered following Mia's rape and murder in April 1993. Became 'Dancing French Liberals of '48', then 'Evil Stig' with Joan Jett on vocals.

I listen to at least one Gits song a day - does it show? (RIP - Mia Zapata)

BRATMOBILE - Allison, Erin and Molly. Allison's voice takes a bit of getting used to. Solid feminist cred - Allison Wolfe's mother founded the first women's health clinic in Olympia.

Along with Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox, and Toby Vail of BK, became the political heart of riot grrrl.

Went to DC for the summer in the early 90s and eventually relocated there following the fall out over the deaths of Mia Zapata and Kurt Cobain.

Very DIY - good, but not great, IMO. Allison Wolfe has a current project called Partyline, better, IMO than the Brats.