Bratmobile: История американской панк-группы Riot Grrrl

American punk band

Bratmobile is an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, formed in 1991. They are known for being one of the first generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, surf, and garage rock.

Allison Wolfe (from Olympia, Washington) and Molly Neuman (from Washington, D. C.) met during fall 1989 while living next door to each other in dorms at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. The two had been raised in activist families: Wolfe had been raised by a lesbian activist mother, and Neuman's father worked for the Democratic National Committee and had introduced his daughter to leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Neuman was influenced by the writings of Eldridge Cleaver.

Neuman's and Wolfe's friend Calvin Johnson, an indie musician in the Olympia scene in The Go Team and Beat Happening who also co owned K Records, asked them to play a show in Olympia on Valentine's Day in 1991 with Bikini Kill and Some Velvet Sidewalk. At first, Wolfe admitted that they were "a fake band" because they did not play instruments, but they had written some songs which they performed a cappella. Johnson had previously introduced Neuman to nascent guitarist Erin Smith from Bethesda, Maryland, during the Christmas holiday in December, 1990 at a Nation of Ulysses show in D. C. Thereafter, Bratmobile became a trio with Wolfe, Neuman, and Erin Smith.

Bikini Kill toured with Nation of Ulysses in May/June 1991, converging in D. C. with Bratmobile that summer. In July 1991, Bratmobile played their first show as a 3 piece with Neuman on drums, Wolfe on vocals, and Erin Smith on guitar. They also played a show at Capitol Lake Park on a bill with Melvins, Mecca Normal, Girl Trouble, Beat Happening, and Fugazi. During the summer of 1992, Bratmobile toured with Heavens to Betsy. On May 7, 1994, under the backdrop of intense media scrutiny and inner pressures within the riot grrrl movement, Bratmobile infamously broke up onstage at the Thread Waxing Space in New York City. With the members of Bratmobile already stressed from a lack of practice and having to perform in front on several high profile individuals, several women in the audience stole the band's microphone to accuse a male audience member of assault whilst also criticizing Bratmobile's failure to provide a safe space, thereby "[stopping] the show for a span of time at least as long as [the band] eventually played", according to Spin journalist Ann Powers. Allison Wolfe moved to Washington, D. C., and she and Maryland based Erin Smith started a new band together called Cold Cold Hearts. Wolfe has also been active in feminism and activism.