Grrrls in Punk Rock

Anytime women break into a male-dominated sphere they should be praised for their immense courage and bad ass don't-take-no-for-an-answer behavior. That especially goes for the women who broke into the punk rock scene, cause punk rock is some hardcore shit.

Kudos to Miley Cyrus for sparking a mini revival of these women with her Instagram post of Bikini Kill's Kathleen Hanna.

So check it out, here's a basic timeline of some anything-but-basic bands:

1975 The Runaways formed 

Despite being insanely sexualized at a very young age by their producer Kim Fowley (I mean how else are men going to take female rockers seriously???) these women kicked ass. Guess who one of their idols was? David Bowie, the fucking man at breaking gender stereotypes. Although not explicitly branded as "feminists", these ladies endured hell to pave the way for future female punk rockers. 

The Runaways - Wild Thing

1990s Riot grrrl starts in DC and Portland primarily 
A bunch of crazy talented ladies gettin' together to make rad zines and let their frustrations be heard.
Excerpt from the manifesto published in a 1991 zine: 

BECAUSE we are unwilling to let our real and valid anger be diffused and/or turned against us via the internalization of sexism as witnessed in girl/girl jealousism and self defeating girltype behaviors.

BECAUSE I believe with my wholeheartmindbody that girls constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world for real.




1990 Bikini Kill formed 
Kathleen Hanna did not give a fuck about anything men thought. She created a safe environment at her shows for female rockers and would throw motherfuckers out if they threatened any female.

Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl: "That girl thinks she's the queen of the neighborhood / I got news for you, she is!"

1998 The Butchies formed 
Smashing the way for lesbian/queer rockers. Basically invented the genre of "queercore".

The Butchies - She's So Lovely: "She's a rocker dressed like a killer / She's got lips like wine not sugar" 

1998 Le Tigre formed
Queen Kathleen Hanna comes back in a new band to continue to straight up kill the punk rock game. And yes, it's an all-female band. JD Samson is a kick ass lesbian who started the band/performance art group MEN that addresses trans awareness.

Le Tigre - Hot Topic: "So many rules and so many opinions / So much bullshit but we won't give in"

I got amped aftering watching The Punk Rocker & The Runaways (with Kristen Stewart, swooooooon) on Netflix. Go watch em and get AMPED.