Riot Grrrl (or Riot Grrl) is a feminist musical movement that reached its height in the 1990s but continues to exert significant influence over alternative music and culture. The term Riot Grrrl is also a genre designation, referring both to the punk rock music made by the movement's initial members, and can also encompass the diverse array of music created in its wake. The term can also refer to individual self-proclaimed Riot Grrrls, who continue to foster a woman-friendly Do-It-Yourself punk subculture by organizing all-female bands, female-centric music festivals, group meetings, and independent publications (or zines).
History
Although the Riot Grrl movement began in the early nineties, musicians such as
Yoko Ono, Patti Smith, Penelope Houston (Avengers), X-Ray Spex,
Crass (especially their Penis Envy album),
Joan Jett,
The Slits, Beat Happening,
Sonic Youth's
Kim Gordon and
Mecca Normal's
Jean Smith are often cited as important influences to the movement. English post-punk, 80's Olympia, 60's girl groups and DC punk were other direct influences. Uses and meanings of the term Riot Grrrl developed slowly over time, but its origins can be traced to racially charged riots in Washington D.C.'s
Mount Pleasant neighborhood during the spring of 1991. Writing in
Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk in the Nation's Capital, Mark Andersen reports early Bratmobile member
Jen Smith (later of
The Quails) reacting to the riots by writing, "This summer's going to be a girl riot." Soon afterwards,
Allison Wolfe,
Molly Neumann and Erin Smith collaborated with
Kathleen Hanna and
Tobi Vail to create a new zine and called it
Riot Grrrl using the spelling of 'grrrl' that first appeared in Vail's fanzine
Jigsaw. The musical birth of the Riot Grrl movement centered in
Olympia, Washington where the members of Bikini Kill]] and
Bratmobile met, but soon also encompassed
Washington DC. Inspired to form by late 80's/early 90's all-female rock-bands such as
L7,
Babes in Toyland and Calamity Jane, Bikini Kill and Bratmobile quickly became seen as the central touchstones for the burgeoning Riot Grrrl movement via their overtly feminist politics. Taking their impetus from punk, each band's presentation emphasized confrontation and content over traditional instrumental skill and they quickly amassed a devoted cult audience. They worked to ensure their shows were safe spaces in which women could find solidarity, and create their own
DIY subculture, thus setting the tone for much of the movement. Even as the Seattle-area rock scene became nationally recognized, Riot Grrrl music remained a willfully underground phenomena. Other riot grrrl bands included
Excuse 17,
Heavens to Betsy,
Cheesecake, CWA (Cunts with Attitude),
Tattle Tale, and, in the U.K,
Huggy Bear, Mambo Taxi, Skinned Teen, Pussycat Trash and
Voodoo Queens. Most Riot Grrrl musicians shunned the
major record labels, working instead with
indie labels such as
Kill Rock Stars,
K Records,
Slampt, Catcall,
WIIIJA and
Chainsaw Records.
Zines and Self Publishing
Non-musical Riot Grrrl activities included national conventions in Washington D.C., the
Pussystock festival in New York City, and the creation of a slew of zines, notably the aforementioned
Jigsaw and
Riot Grrrl, as well as
Girl Germs, created by Allison Wolfe and Molly Neuman,
Fantastic Fanzine,
Ms. America,
Satan Wears A Bra and
Quit Whining. Many of the women involved with
Queercore were also interested in Riot Grrrl, and zines such as
Chainsaw by
Donna Dresch,
Sister Nobody and
I (heart) Amy Carter by
Tammy Rae Carland embody both movements. Riot Grrrl's momentum was supported by an explosion of self-published
zines that covered a variety of feminist topics, frequently attempting to draw out the political implications of intensely personal experiences with
sexism,
mental illness,
body image,
sexual abuse, and
homosexuality. These zines were archived by Riot Grrrl Press, started in Washington DC in 1992 by Erika Reinstein & May Summer.
More on
[ Riot Grrrl ]
Women in Music :: Music
Feminism :: Women
GirlPunk.Net - Dedicated to featuring female fronted punk bands. Includes CD reviews, interviews, a photo gallery, links and MP3s.
Green Girl Records - SF based indie label started by Amy Cray. Our plan is to promote respect, tolerance, and celebration of diversity through creative expression.
Grrl - Reviews, art, a streaming Riot Grrl channel, Bettie Page and fun.
Meta Description: [ Grrl.com is a pop culture site with a feminist slant that includes music reviews, book reviews, art, decos, gardening ideas, home decor, crafts, decorating tips, dating humor and more. ]
Grrl's World - History, MP3s, photos, and wallpaper for Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Ani Difranco, Le Tigre, and other bands. Also personal profile and links. [English and Russian]
Origin of Grrrl - An online resource for information on the Riot Grrrl Movement and related events. Interviews, and Fanzines.
Meta Description: [ An online resource for info on the RG Movement and related events, interviews, fanzines etc.. ]
PunkGirl - Large photo collection of grrrl musicians from all over the world.
Meta Description: [ Punk Girl ]
Riot Grrrl International Message Board - Discussion on chapters, feminism, DIY, politics and other topics.
Meta Description: [ Riot Grrrl International Message Board is set as a place for all riot grrrls and bois from all parts of the world to discuss and join in forces together. Welcome in!, RIOT GRRRL INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE BOARD - Index ]
Sweet Cherrie - Comic strip, tribute to female musicians, quizzes, articles, reviews, and a message board.