• Song Playlist

    Women in Rock Christmas Playlist

    I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of Christmas music. I mean how many different versions of the same song can you do? And how many times can I take hearing the same 10 songs over and over again throughout the season? However, these Women in Rock help rid me of my Grinchiness and into the holiday spirit.       “Blue Holiday” by The Shirelles– Okay, so maybe not the cheeriest holiday song but damn, it’s great! It’s a song I would want to hear at my favorite diner, Blue Jay, while drinking a cup of coffee and watching snow fall outside.   “Merry Christmas Baby” by…

  • Artist Spotlight

    An Interview with Kat Bjelland and Lori Barbero of Babes in Toyland

    On Tuesday night I was lucky enough to meet the absolute rock legends, Kat Bjelland and Lori Barbero of Babes in Toyland before their show in Covington, KY. We met at the Backstage Café to have a drink and chat. IK: I read that Lori named the band but I’ve read this quote that I love from Kat, “boys and girls are all babes in the universe.” Where did the name and quote come from? Kat Bjelland: (points to her head) It took me awhile to figure out (Babes in Toyland) was a Disney movie. Lori Barbero: I have no idea where it came from. KB: I thought it was appropriate because we…

  • Artist Spotlight,  Band Information,  Uncategorized

    Sarah Greenwell of Gymshorts

    Sarah Greenwell, frontwoman of Gymshorts, loves telling jokes. In fact when she was little, her mom would take her to the local bowling night, “I was a tiny blonde girl that would tell dirty jokes to all the old men.” Meeting Sarah this past March I was immediately amused by her goofy jokes and band of similarly light-hearted guys. Gymshorts was formed in 2012 with lead guitarist, Devin Demers. “We wrote songs and tried to find a band for a year.” Sarah was living in New York and commuting to Providence, RI for the band. “I like driving and some of the songs I wrote came from the commute.” In…

  • A Little Slice of History

    The Mother of Punk

    Last week I posted on facebook: “If Patti Smith is the godmother of punk, who is the mother?” This truly stumped me because I always see Patti Smith referred to as the “godmother of punk” but I can’t think of anyone who came before her that is more inspiring to the punk world. My post on facebook was serious but in return I got a mix of responses both serious and shitty. The strangest thing was that all but one response were from men. Where were the girls in this conversation? Don’t they want to know who their punk mother is?? Below are the responses I recieved and my personal…

  • Uncategorized

    Meeting Joan Jett

    Well something very special happened to me on my recent family vacation to France! We were in the NYC airport for like 9 hours waiting for our flight to Nice, France. I was deeply engaged in my book when my dad came over to me and said, “Hey look, its an old punk band!” I looked up and there were a bunch of darkly clad punks at our same gate at the airport. He pointed out the women and said, “I think she’s the front women.” I looked at her and said, “Joan Jett.” And then I thought NOOOO it can’t be! How crazy! I kept trying to study her…

  • Concert Reviews

    RIOT REVIEWS!

    I was lucky enough to attend Riot Fest in Chicago this weekend and saw some extremely legendary Women in Rock as well as some newer acts! It was a three day music overload and I loved every minute of it… except for the nonstop rain on Sunday. Nonetheless, it was an amazing time. Here are some brief show reviews of the Women in Rock at Riot Fest! DAY 1: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts– Joan Jett played to an amazingly packed crowd of people. She still looks great and sounds great and is as enthusiatic as ever. The Blackhearts played all their hits including, “Cherry Bomb,” “Bad Reputation,” “I Love…

  • Song Playlist

    10 Summer Bar Fight Songs

    Let’s face it, the crazies come out in the summer. Bars are less crowded in the winter, then nice weather hits and BOOM, you’re surrounded by a bunch of dummies…. drunk dummies. Now, I’m definitely not advising for you to start a fight with anyone. However, here are 10 songs that you can rock out to while feeling angry. And maybe these will serve to be good jukebox selections to channel your anger in a positive way! 10. Bikini Kill “Suck My Left One“- Pretty sure you’re going to confuse some bros with this one. Bikini Kill will always be a classic choice to play loudly and angrily because Kathleen…

  • A Little Slice of History

    A Little Slice of History: Joan Jett

    Joan Jett, a Queen of Rock n’ Roll got her start as one of the founding members of the Runaways. As just a young thing in the band she sang backing vocals, played rhythm guitar and co-wrote many of their songs. When the band broke up in 1979 she decided to pursue a solo career. The most astounding thing about Joan Jett as a musician is that once her solo album was recorded it was rejected by 23 labels in the US. But she didn’t give up. She created her own label, Blackheart Records and “I Love Rock n’ Roll” became a number one hit. What does this tell musicians?…

  • Band Information

    Best 10 Female Punk Songs 1970’s-1980’s

    10. Joan Jett- “Bad Reputation”- Joan doesn’t give a damn about her reputation and neither should you. Born and bred a rock n’ roller this song defines her punk rock attitude toward life. After her commercial success she grew from a mere punk into the “Queen of Rock.” 9. Blondie- “One Way Or Another”- Although better known as new wave than punk, Blondie’s regular appearances at Max’s Kansas City and CBGB’s threw them into the emerging scene during the 70‘s. “One Way or Another” was included on Blondie’s best selling album “Parallel Lines” and has been used as a creepy break up anthem ever since. 8. The Runaways- “Cherry Bomb”-…