Anti-Pleasure Dissertation

 

I know what you're thinking – and the answer is no, I won't be discussing the concept of anti-pleasure and its place, or lack thereof, on the vast spectrum that is human emotion. That's what they, 'they' being men, want you to think; that you have to explain yourself. I'm here to tell you to spit in their faces; the cheese does not stand alone. Introducing riot grrrl – the movement, the music, and the mayhem. Bratmobile, Huggy Bear, and Cadallaca were some of the most prominent bands on the scene back in the mid-1990s when the feminist punk rock movement was in full swing. They carried the torch for angry women everywhere – women who wanted to be treated with respect as both musicians and members of the human race. They started zines, embraced the DIY subculture, were politically active, and spoke out against rape and domestic violence.

Kathleen Hanna, one of the most outspoken proprietors of this movement, was the lead singer of the most iconic riot grrrl band of all time, Bikini Kill. Hanna touches on an array of topics within the feminst movement in her lyrics, and even goes a step further to comment on where women stand  culturally, particularly with regard to women in literature. In the song, “Bloody Ice Cream,” off the album Reject All American, she comments on the lack of credibility women seem to have as writers – 'They want us to think that to be a girl poet it means you have to die.'

There was a huge cult following associated with this movement – for the music and for the message – but that's not to say everyone was a fan. And who would oppose such a revolution? You guessed it! Men. Lots of angry, smelly, dirty, men. A lot of the riot grrrl bands were often accused of misandry – the  general hatred of the male sex – but this was certainly not the case. Some of the bands even had male members. They welcome both men and women to their shows, but they weren't always received so nicely. Some male show-attendees even threw garbage at the bands on stage and threatened them with physical violence – way to go guys, continue to perpetuate a bad reputation with further acts of unadulterated kindness.

Though the movement has for the most part fizzled out, there has been a bit of a resurgance in little old Burlington, VT. Local band Doll Fight! – a three woman riot grrrl ansemble – have brought the movement back to life with their undeniable punk rock appeal and woman-power prowess. They've toured everywhere from New York City to Washington DC, picking up right where the riot grrrl bands of yesteryear left off. Be sure to check them out at a show in town, or get a feel for their sound at http://dollfight.com/listen/. Let the movement live!