Rebel Grrrls

The Riot Grrrl movement was the raw development of female empowerment and provocative aggression that really hit nerves in the early 90's. Rooted by some certain proto-punksters, Patti Smith and The Runaways, girls really would never be the same. Perhaps the most poetic summation of what being a "Riot Grrrl" is all about, is heard early on in The Slits "Typical Girls" from 1979:

"Typical Girls"
Typical girls are sensitive
Typical girls are emotional
Typical girls are cruel and bewitching
She's a femme fatale
Typical girls stand by their man
Typical girls are really swell
Typical girls learn how to act shocked
Typical girls don't rebel

Who invented the typical girl?
Who's bringing out the new improved model?
And there's another marketing ploy
Typical girl gets the typical boy



The sound was perfected in the 90's by Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill and Bratmobile, all signed to the label that pioneered the movement, Kill Rock Stars. Sleater-Kinney's career spanned more than a decade; and rightfully so, they are the best and most successful act of the sub-genre. However, the signature Riot Grrrl track comes from Bikini Kill with their boisterous "Rebel Girl".



Although not the same breed, several other female-fronted groups were founded in the same vain as the Riot Grrrl's; most notably, Veruca Salt, Hole, PJ Harvey and later Be Your Own Pet, Marnie Stern, and The Gossip. The movement never ceased and instead holds true to its purest form even today. Ironically enough, it's one of the strongest standing forces that ever hit airwaves, not to mention one of the most revolutionary.