Riot Grrl and the evolution of music

Week 7’s topic of discussion is focused on building communities, and punk rock. A lot of the material continued the topic of the Seattle grunge scene in the 90s, which spawned from the music community’s love for punk AND metal. In parallel to the grunge scene, a feminist social movement called Riot Grrl began from women who loved punk rock. “The riot grrl subculture took independent media in new directions with their innovative use of zines as a forum for community outreach and political communication.” (Moore, pg. 129 ) Not only did riot grrl women write about punk rock in magazines, they also performed in punk rock bands. Members of the band Bikini Kill were some of the leading pioneers of the riot grrl movement.

This social movement in the 90s died out rather swiftly, but it left an indelible mark on punk rock by opening a stage for women to find success as musicians. Although music genres are still gendered, there is progress in that more and more female performers are visible in the music industry. But with that in mind I think it’s important to talk about race in music, primarily in punk rock. I sympathize with Mimi Nguyen’s frustration about how punk rock is a straight, white dude’s game. A lot has changed since the 90s, but when has there ever been a punk rock band with Asian people? Also, when has there been an awesome punk rock band with black people in it since Bad Brains? “That’s the paradox: some kinds of “individuality” are valued according to punk’s “common culture” while others, well, aren’t. This is what I mean when I say “whitestraightboy” hegemony organizes punk, and this is why I make a point of my “Asianqueergirltomboy” specificity.” (Nguyen, pg. 3)

DJ selections:

Liz Phair – Never Said

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1tMfKl5b8M

Veruca Salt – Seether

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9AUR-iTo0

-The 90s brought on a surge of female led bands, such as Liz Phair and Veruca Salt. The Breeders is another example, or perhaps Veruca Salt, or Luscious Jackson. But as Phair points out in the name of her album, she too had to deal with the toxic masculinity that prevailed in music back then. The 90s was a great time for female musicians. I can’t help but wonder whether Riot Grrl helped with that cause. I also chose Liz Phair because I had a crush on her back in high school, by the way (90s kid).