The New Generation of Riot Grrrls
The punk feminist movement “riot grrrl” is back after a few years of dormancy, and through conversations with bands like Sorry Mom and Bride Riot, we’re able to see why the revival has begun. In the ‘90s, the lack of diversity in the riot grrrl movement was detrimental, but this new generation of riot grrrls are here to change that.
Sorry Mom
I arrived at The Cutting Room in Midtown, Manhattan with a friend, and my heart was beating out of my chest. This was the first show I’ve been to since the start of the pandemic and I was ecstatic to meet another riot grrrl band. Since starting the band Bad Static, I haven’t been able to meet any fellow riot grrrls just yet, and it was exciting to venture out into this world and finally become a part of it.
My friend and I sat down and grabbed drinks to ease the tension as I scanned the room for Sorry Mom’s band members. Finally, I spotted Juno, the lead guitarist, and singer, at the merch table with their easily-identifiable short blue hair. I approached the merch table and said, “Hello,” and began to inquire about the shirts they were selling. The blue one with a skater girl smoking a cigarette would be perfect in my collection, I thought. To my surprise, Juno recognized me and asked to play a show with us sometime in the future. I exclaimed “Yes!” shortly before returning to my table and sucking down the rest of my drink. Later in the evening, I saw Juno once again and called them over.
As we were chatting about where Sorry Mom got their start, they started jumping up and down saying, “My pants might fall off on stage!” Suddenly, their pants fell down, revealing their boxers. We laughed and I offered my belt, but they refused.
Sorry Mom’s set was titillating. While the openers were on stage, people sat at their tables with a drink in hand, moving their heads to the music, but as soon as Sorry Mom went, the crowd electrified. Juno asked everyone to move the tables over so that the audience could mosh in the middle, and they listened without hesitation. After the show was over, I went over to the band to congratulate them on an amazing set. Grace, the rhythm guitarist, singer, and occasional bassist thanked me and told me to play a show with them at The Nest in Brooklyn. I wanted to dive deeper and know why others—myself included—are currently invested in the revival of the riot grrrl scene.
“It’s obviously hard to pinpoint a catalyst for the revival, but speaking from my own experience, I was feeling really sick of ‘nice girl feminism.’ You know, the kind that’s sold on mugs or whatever. When I was a freshman in college and trying to identify with feminist movements on campus, I stumbled upon a show put on by three seniors. The show was inspired by the ‘90s riot grrrl movement but incorporated music from the 2010s too. It was basically just an expression of the three girls, and I was enamored by it. I think that’s what happens in this scene—you’re seeking to be understood better, then you see some people doing something that blows your mind, and you’re like that’s so f****** cool, I want to do that too,” says Grace Amaro, rhythm guitarist and singer.
“The word empowerment feels a little empty to me now, but that’s what it is: empowering, and addictive. It makes others want to contribute too, with zines, music, art… That’s what keeps the movement going,” she added.
“I think there are so many expectations for people nowadays, and I think we’re part of a generation that is finally saying enough—we’re fed up! We’re part of a generation that craves to simply be themselves, despite what older generations expect of them, and we’re fighting for that freedom of expression. Just like Grace said, riot grrrl is all about personal expression and disregard for what people think of that expression, and those sentiments fit so well with the attitude of our generation. I think that’s a part of why riot grrrl is being revived,” says Taryn Gangi, the drummer.
In November, we ended up playing two shows with Sorry Mom at TV Eye and The Nest, but those first two shows were so hectic that I never had the opportunity to sit down and talk to them until, at the last minute, they invited us to play a set with them at The Bowery Electric. In the tiny greenroom, which was painted red, we got to talking. Juno pulled out a video camera and asked if we wanted to be in Sorry Mom’s music video.
“I refuse to buy a camera or a memory card to make this video, but we found this old camera at Grace’s job,” says Juno, lead singer and guitarist.
As I was sitting in the greenroom with Grace, we talked about our Spotify Wrapped. Some people on her list included Hole, Nirvana, and Mitski. Once again, we started talking about the revival while I drew on her eyeliner in a shape that would work with her hooded eyes.
“I think that there was a mini-revival in the 2010s, but it was all cis white women, just like it was in the ‘90s. There was nothing new about the movement, so it died out. At least now we’re seeing more queers and people of color creating music,” she adds.
I wanted to know what Sorry Mom aimed to contribute to the revival. “I hope that our music can inspire more queer artists to enter the scene. I take pride in being a queer band and would love to see more of them gain success in the music industry. Personally, I’d also love to see some more non-male drummers out there,” says Taryn.
“I hope that young people, specifically non-men, can listen to my music and realize they’re also allowed to have fun with their music and make stupid shit. Sometimes it feels like we aren’t given that allowance, but I hope our music can help show people that there’s a place for their music, serious or just for fun, even in such a male-dominated scene,” says Juno.
Bride Riot
One day, I was scrolling through my phone when Bride Riot appeared on my feed, and without even speaking to them, I felt a connection. They are a riot grrrl band based out of my home state, New Jersey. I started following them on social media and we exchanged a few words here and there, and then I saw they were playing an underground show in Rahway, a few towns over from my hometown. I had to go see them.
As we were circling around the town to find the venue, we heard blaring guitars from down the street and knew we were in the right place. My friends and I walked in with our beers in hand and paid $5 each at the door. After taking our money, they gave us wristbands and pointed at the door to show us where to go. When we opened the door, a wall of sound hit us. We entered the garage where the band was playing and walked out into the backyard. When Amanda, Bride Riot’s guitarist, walked in, she spotted me and greeted us before their set. Once Bride Riot’s set started, the chaos unfolded.
Mary, the singer and bassist, yelled her heart out as the drummer smashed down on his drums so hard we thought he was going to rip one of the drum heads. Amanda, the guitarist, shredded so hard I thought her fingers would bleed (it had happened once at another show). The set ended with Amanda throwing her guitar onto the drum kit in true punk rock fashion. Afterwards, Amanda pulled me aside and asked, “Do you know any other riot grrrls? I want to play on a whole riot grrrl bill.”
I replied, “Only Sorry Mom and Froggy. We need more riot grrrls."
When asked why they think the riot grrrl revival is happening, the members of Bride Riot answered:
“I believe that while some major women’s rights issues have been resolved, we as a society still have a long way to go when it comes to women being truly heard and taken seriously. There is no better time than now, just 100 years after being given the right to vote, to release our frustrations and fight for what we deserve. The ongoing pandemic has given many the opportunity to be at home and really figure out what they are passionate about, and what to do with it. Women leading businesses are booming in our local community, and we’re starting to see females all over the world playing in bands like us. Right now, we are entering territories known as “unsafe” to women. This can’t be a coincidence,” says Mary O’Neill, bassist and singer.
“With the ongoing support, activism, and growth amongst female artists in the scene, riot grrrl has gained its well-deserved revival. As women, we are reminded by the riot grrrl movement that we have the power to express ourselves in the most unique ways possible. With the increase of popularity toward iconic riot grrrl bands, women are discovering this subgenre through social media platforms and word of mouth. Many new and upcoming female artists are actively spreading awareness around the riot grrrl revival, and not only is the music trending, but the art and fashion of the movement is as well,” says Amanda Fortemps, guitarist.
As a band, Bride Riot wants to create a safe space for women in the scene and inspire those to take a chance and express themselves without hesitation. By actively expressing themselves in the most chaotic, up-front, and intimate ways, they hope to encourage other women to take a step out of their comfort zone, and truly ignite the flame of their inner beauty, creativity, and power. Whether it’s the fashion, music, activism, art, etc., Bride Riot wants their female fans to listen to their music to feel a part of the scene and that they too belong. They strive to promote women’s empowerment and be a reminder to women that they can express themselves in any way they desire.
Through their performances, they encourage women to be upfront in the crowd and enjoy the moment without a single care or worry, as it is a priority that their music provides confidence, reassurance, and safety to their audience. Starting small from the New Jersey scene, the band intends on expanding their dedication to modern feminism beyond their region to further promote the riot grrrl movement. Bride Riot aims to connect, empower, and unite other talented artists and they truly deserve the spotlight in the riot grrrl scene.