Music
Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Essential Riot Grrrl Playlist” (2020)
Riot Grrrl is not dead: 50 bands that push the movement forward (2020)
A Riot Grrrl Mixtape of Underrated Gems by Fabi Reyna (2023)
Riot Grrrl United Feminism and Punk. Here’s an Essential Listening Guide. Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy, Tribe 8 and More: Hear 25 Songs That Fueled a Rock Revolution. by Evelyn McDonnell and Elisabeth Vincentelli (2019)
Starting A Riot Playlist – songs featured in the podcast “Starting a Riot,” by OPB and She Shreds Media (2023)
Author’s note: I decided to include a generic link to the Google search for each band below so that you can decide which sites you’d like to consult for more information and to listen to some songs.
I couldn’t resist and included a few of my favorite songs. : )
A few bands that are typically considered part of the riot grrrl genre:
Bikini Kill – The First Two Records
Excuse 17 (queercore)
Heavens to Betsy – Get out of my Head (I have to admit that I love torturing non-riot grrrl fans with this song. haha)
*Raooul & Skinned Teen put out a split record in 1993 – Jail-bait Core / Bazooka Smooth
Sister George (queercore)
Team Dresch (queercore) – Personal Best is one of my favorite albums of all time – check out this clip from a reunion show that they did at The Knitting Factory in 2006. It is a rough recording but you can hear the crowd singing and yelling along. This was my favorite show ever.
The Third Sex (queercore)
A few bands that existed around the same time:
First, I’d like to share an incredible split 7″ record that was released in 1994 called Beast or Burden by Dirt & Mankind? – Dirt’s “Deaf, Dumb and Male” and Mankind?’s “Let Her Be” are both incredible songs
7 Year Bitch – 7 Year Bitch performed “The Scratch” in 1995’s Mad Love with Drew Barrymore. I never had the opportunity to see them live, so I will always treasure this scene.
Blatz – Lullabye is probably the most palatable for non-punk fans, but if you like punk, check out, Shit Split – the split 12″ that Blatz and Filth released in 1991
The Gits (and Evil Stig, which was formed in 1995 with Joan Jett after their lead singer, Mia Zapata was tragically murdered)
Hole – say what you will, but Live Through This is an incredible album
HoneyBane – Girl on the Run is my favorite
L7 – Can I Run is my favorite, but choosing just one is almost impossible
The Muffs – their debut album is my favorite
X – Your phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not is a great song
A few “post-riot grrrl” bands to check out:
