Riot Grrrl: Better Late Than Never

The 90’s were a time of new music with an undercurrent (and sometimes blatant current) of radical feminism. L7, Sleater-Kinney, Bratmobile, and, the leaders of feminist punk, Bikini Kill. Back then, I listened to the music, but I wasn’t fully in the scene. Living in Niagara Falls and attending school in Buffalo removed me from the angst-ridden, raw intensity of the scene in Portland, DC, and NYC. My life was pretty good and, as such, I didn’t have much to riot about.

 

I did create a ‘zine, but it was focused more on movie reviews with occasional pieces on homophobia. I was in touch with the sexism, racism, and homophobia of my hometown, but I didn’t quite yet know how to express my rage. Riot Grrrl culture would have saved me, had the internet existed. This, I suppose, is where the disconnect began. In the early 90’s, before the prolific nature of the internet could infect our homes, we had to get our music and cultural news from MTV and the radio. Living in Buffalo afforded me a wealth of great music, coming out of Toronto, Ontario, on CFNY, but not so much a wealth of female voices. I saw stories on MTV news about the Riot Grrrls movement, but that movement never really made it to Buffalo. Sure, we did “Take Back The Night” walks every year at school and we had speakers come in and talk about women’s issues, but we didn’t have anything on the level of Riot Grrrl. There was no Kathleen Hanna to scream for us in Buffalo and Ani Difranco was pale in comparison to that level of rage.

 

So, my path leads me back to Riot Grrrl. It always, inevitably, does. I may not have had a name for it in the 90’s, but radical feminism has always been a huge part of my existence. I’ve always been outspoken in my defense of women, myself and others, and have tried to convey my utter disgust for the lack of feminist sources in my hometown. The difference though, between Kathleen Hanna and myself, is that I am not as motivated as her. Although we share a birthday, (12 November, along with Neil Young, Grace Kelly, Charles Manson, and Ryan Gosling) she is way more fierce!

 

She got up on the stage and screamed out the reality of her own life and the lives of others. I could barely write a word about my life until the last few years. She yelled at the audience to bring the ‘girls to the front’. I kept my mouth shut, while growing up, through a lot of patriarchal bullshit. She stuck to her principles in the face of complete and total sexism. I let shit go. She always stayed true to herself and the cause of radical feminism. I let my desire to be liked get in the way of my activism for too long. Not any more! I am revitalized! After watching “The Punk Singer” documentary, I am reenergized and ready to move forward.

 

Since we moved into the 21st century, the riot grrrl movement seems to have fizzled. There are still pockets of the radical feminist scene, but the overall music and zine culture that was directly connected to riot grrrl has dwindled. My question then is, what happened? Was the scene not sustainable without big figures like Hanna? Was a change in music the death knell for grrrl punk? Or did the boys just retake their places at the top? Why do women need to continuously fight for their places in music?

 

Feminism is not dead, but the patriarchy wants it to be. The second wave feminists are still pushing ahead, but the ERA is still not ratified. The third wavers have taken the struggle online, but the social media spaces are crawling with misogynists waiting to pounce. Women are baited with articles about career women vs. stay at home moms, shifting our focus from feminist goals. We should be gathering together and fighting for our lives. There are too many attacks, in the United States (not to mention around the world), on our collective rights as women.

 

The powers that be, which often include other women, wish to take away our right to control our own bodies. They want to take away our agencies and our voices. They want to make us helpless and powerless as a group so they can continue to control us. The patriarchy will never quit fighting so neither should we. We have to push onward. Continue marching! Continue running for office and retaining feminist values while leading! Organizing as if our lives depend on it, because they do! And never believe the media when they say that feminism is dead. It is alive and kicking and we will continue in the riot grrrl path. Never compromise! Never concede! Never go back!

 

Peace and Happy Patriarchy Smashing!
Chantale

The Scene That Was

“Through the fear of being real, through the fear of being really you…”  Tones on Tail – Go!

When I was in college (the first time around, in the 90’s) I spent most of my time doing only a few things.  Singing, drinking coffee, working a crap job or two in the customer service industry, and going to bars.  Since then, not much has changed, but the frequency at which I do these things has.  I am a once every couple weeks bar attendee now.  My 38 year old body cannot handle the drinking that my 20 year old body could.  It takes me several days to recover from a really crazy night, and now that I have more important goals, it depresses me to no end when I am distracted from work because of this kind of stupid sickness.  That is why last night was such a big deal.

“When the world is too much with me.  Please leave, just go away. Now nothing’s sacred anymore. When the demons breaking down your door. You’re still staring down at the floor.” The Chameleons UK – Swamp Thing

The club was packed.  Wall to wall people after only a short time open and they mostly stuck it out until the end.  I knew it would be well attended, but I had no idea it would be THIS full.  This, was the Continental Reunion at the Town Ballroom.  Ides of March be damned, we came to party!  It struck me instantly upon walking in, as “Head Like A Hole” blared from the room that was deemed “upstairs” that this would be a great night.  If all the people that were in attendance at this reunion were all at the continental together, at the same time, Jessie would have had to start making people wait in a rope line.  Not even half of the people there would have fit inside the continental.  Although it was good to have such a large venue to hold the event, one always wishes they could be in the original building.  Alas, the building is gone, but the memories live on.

“Hear the crushing steel, feel the steering wheel…” The Normal – Warm Leatherette

The screens were playing videos with neon swooshes over them, just like they used to.  After spending a bit of time dancing in the “upstairs” room (Nitzer Ebb, Ministry, Sisters of Mercy) we made our way back through the crowd to the concert venue.  As we walked through the doors and up the small staircase the first sight was the sign from the stage.  Bud must have kept it and there it was in all it’s glory – THE CONTINENTAL – we are back.

“The world. The world turns around.  And the world and the world, yeah. The world drags me down.” The Cult – She Sells Sanctuary

The Continental was not just a bar and we honestly do not need the space to bring the scene back to life.  Yes, the place itself is missed, but the memories and the people that still persist are all we need to have a proper Continental in 2013.  Last night was proof.  The smell of clove cigarettes, incense, sweat, and pizza that hit you when you walk through the doors was EXACTLY the same as 1995 or 1985.  The people dancing with themselves on the dance floor (even without mirrors and lighted ceiling) paint a picture of the original place.  The music blaring from the speakers in all the areas of the club, bring back a flood of late nights spent traipsing up and down the staircase, from the concert downstairs and the favourite bartender to the dance floor upstairs with the excellent dj to the elevated patio that could disassemble and send us plunging to our deaths at any moment.  The music persists.  The senses take in all that was and still is, through the people that lived it and continue on.

“This is the only time I really feel alive.”  nine inch nails – the only time

If we could do this every year, it would do us all good.  The generations that attended the Continental are now ranging in age from late 30’s to early 60’s (with a sprinkling of younger and older for good measure) and we cannot keep up the outings to a club the way we used to.  Sure, maybe happy hour on Fridays, but 4 or 5 nights a week until 4am?  Not gonna happen.  But one weekend in March every year, that is totally doable.  One weekend to bring back the music, the dancing, the drinking, the community.  In the end that is what it is really all about.  Community.  We still have it, we just do not have a space like the Continental to gather.  Technology has changed the ways in which we interact and that is why Generation x was the last to really enjoy venues like the Continental.  We still liked to gather and interact with each other in the real world.  That meant everything to us.  To feel a connection with another person, or with a song, or with a place.  Not just a computer.

“No party she’d not attend. No invitation she wouldn’t send. Transfixed by the inner sound of your promise to be found.” Siouxsie and the Banshees – Kiss Them For Me

Don’t get me wrong – I love the internet as much as anyone, maybe even more, but I also love to gather in public with other humans.  Sounds trivial, but true.  To be in public, having a discourse, sharing a meal, sharing a glass of wine, sharing our lives – this is what gathering is about.  Chatting online and on mobile phones is convenient, but nothing replaces in person communication.  Nothing replaces dancing on a floor that is jam packed.  Nothing replaces that feeling of oneness when everyone moves in unison to that one specific part of the song – “so what!”.  Nothing replaces screaming the lyrics out at the top of your lungs with every other person around you.  Nothing replaces interaction, reaction.  Nothing.  And it never will.  So – where is the next Continental?  Where is that place that those of us who are not that young anymore can gather to really feel alive and as one?  I don’t have an answer for you now, but I hope to find it soon.  Otherwise, the writer and I might be hightailing it out of Buffalo once we get our ultimate degrees.  Move to a place that feels like we can be a part of the community.  We want for that place to be Buffalo and after last night there is a glimmer of hope.  Keep the dream alive.

“Why can’t I live a life for me? Why should I take the abuse that’s served? Why can’t they see they’re just like me? It’s the same, it’s the same in the whole wide world.” Every Day Is Halloween – Ministry

Peace,

Chantale

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2004.8.23 – subversives

Let me first say that I would like to commemorate my second anniversary here at Backwash (one day late, it was actually 22 August) by saying thank you to all of my readers. I realize that I have been hot and cold with the updates over the last six months, but I promise to get back into the swing of things for fall. So, happy anniversary to me and happy reading to you!

This weekend brought about many new thoughts and feelings. On Friday night, the filmmaker and I attended a concert at a local club. “Lowest of the Low” (a fantastic Canadian band) and “The Marble Index” (a new group, also from Canada) were the headliners and it turned out to be one of the best shows of the year. At least for us.

This is where things get complicated. Canadians, in general, are a much more laid back breed then Americans. So it goes to show that when you get a huge group of people (composed of both Americans and Canadians) together you are going to have a bit of conflict. This is unfortunate, but true. Here is what happened.

Ron Hawkins (the leader of the Low) was talking about the release of the latest album, which will be happening in September, and he wanted to let the crowd know that after the album comes out there will be another Buffalo appearance of the Low. The next thing he uttered was felt with mixed response from the audience. Hawkins stated, “we will see you after September, although we don’t really want to play here again until you have a new president”. Being the liberal, green party members that we are, the filmmaker and I screamed and clapped at this comment, but the gentleman behind us felt the need to yell, “Go back to Canada, ass****”.

This wasn’t the end of it either. After the comment was made and the next song was started the group behind us began to give a very loud critique of the remainder of the concert. Not loud enough for the band to hear, but certainly louder than I would have liked. At one point I was ready to turn around and confront the hecklers, but I didn’t think it wise to get into a fight with Republican hicks that don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. I just thought it strange to continue to be pissed off and complain, when you paid money to see the band.

Artists have a platform. They have a stage to pontificate from and a captive audience in a concert situation. If the people behind me at this concert have something to say they should really find their own platform from which to spew crap from. Ruining other concert attendees experience is not the route to take.
This goes to show that Canadians are truly more laid back than Americans. If we could just take ourselves a little less seriously and not dwell on what was, we would be a lot happier and perhaps even healthier. Anger and condescension only lead to ulcers. Letting things go is the best way to deal. At least in this sort of situation. Enjoy the music and relax. What will be will be and things that are said at a dive bar in Amherst, NY on a Friday night in August are not going to change the outcome of our futures here in America. Save the cattlecalling for the debates. We just want to enjoy the show.

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

2003.8.22 – saving the music

Before I begin…I just want to say that today is officially my one year anniversary here at the ‘wash! 22 August 2002 was the day I wrote my first column and since then it has been a wild and wonderful ride. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere…I just wanted to acknowledge the milestone. It doesn’t feel like it has been a year, yadda yadda yadda…Thanks to all the readers and columnists who have stuck with me thus far. It has been fun and there is definitely more where that came from!

So…without further ado…

What would the world be like without music? Waiting rooms, elevators, grocery stores, office hallways, window shopping sidewalks, coffeehouses, hotel lobbies, restaurants and parades would all be silent. Without music the world wouldn’t feel alive. Without music colours would seem more pale and sunshine would be blah. Without music voices would be monotone and television shows would be stagnant. Would you ever want to live in a world without music? I know that I certainly wouldn’t and yet, political leaders feel otherwise.

Music is a basic part of my being. Without it, the days would be totally useless. The same can be said for fine art, but on a smaller scale then melodies and harmonies. It is a well known fact that music helps kids retain more information in school and can be a great factor in the development of useful problem solving skills.

Due to these facts it is a travesty that music and art are ever cut from the public school system. Starting with grammar school, the arts are always the first department to be dwindled down. If you don’t begin teaching kids about music theory, how to play a musical instrument or sing, and giving them a sense of rhythm why would any child want to take up these things in high school? Children are like clay in grammar school. They are easily molded and subjects like music, art and even foreign languages are more comprehendible. Learning these skills at an early age benefits future studies by training the brain in a different manner.

Music can serve as an extension of your being. Without music there is no personality. No presence. No identity. No meaning. In my own life, music serves as a soundtrack to my day. A cd player in the bathroom provides me with shower music while my car stereo gets me to work everyday. Internet radio helps me make it through the job and the car stereo brings me back home. Music serves as a background to my favourite television programs and puts me to sleep every night through my clock radio.

My own personality is extended through the music that I listen to. While studying music in college I was exposed to many different forms of melody. Some that stuck with me and some that I left in the classroom. The music that I took out of that experience gave me a more vivid appreciation for all types of music. In college the goth scene was something I couldn’t live without. Nine Inch Nails, Nitzer Ebb, Ministry, andBauhaus were staples. The music had a culture that I somehow identified with and needed to be a part of. Black clothes, fingernails, hair and eyeliner were must haves and I played the goth music part. As my personality changed I stopped the dressing up, but continued to love the music. My appearance changed but the music stayed with me.

So, what can we do to keep the music flowing? Write to your local officials and demand that music and art programs in public schools not be cut. Ask that other budget options be looked at. If these officials had a good music and art education to begin with their creativity should be developed enough to think of a better way to balance the budget. Creativity is the key after all. Without it, where would we be?

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

2003.2.28 – what became of the jingle?

When did Generation X music become a marketing ploy? At what point did the advertisers decide that it was time to start using punk rock and new wave music to sell us cars, clothes, food, and anything else they can think of? I suppose, since Generation X itself is a construct of mass media, it was inevitable that our music would come to this point.

We are now the target demographic for such things, but it is still upsetting. Just as my mother was upset when Mercury used Fire by Jimi Hendrix to sell Firebirds in the mid-90?s, now we have to hear Forever Young by Alphaville in an attempt to sell us the new Ion.

The commercials are admirable. Showing stages of life and the fact that we have grown up now from our childhood and high school days. The connotation is, if we buy this car we can move on with our life. Leave the past behind and get on with the future. The future where we will hear more songs from the 80’s and 90’s used in commercials to sell us everything from laundry detergent to baby food.

Why don?t we hear jingles anymore? Are advertisers so strapped for new ideas that it is just easier to use an old song or do they truly believe that if we identify with the music it will make us more apt to purchase their products? I have never been swayed to purchase something simply based on the advertising campaign, but I am good at resisting. My affinity for not following blindly gives me the ability to make informed decisions based on things other than advertising campaigns.

Being an informed consumer is what it is all about. The ability to distinguish between good and bad products based on company history and product quality is invaluable. Consumers who buy products merely to have more stuff don’t have the drive to become informed. Reading magazines like Penny Power (the kids version of “Consumer Reports”) and watching Fight Back every night during dinner made me into a consumer of quality rather than quantity. Learning that products may not be all they seem from the commercials, made me able to be an inconspicuous consumer, rather than conspicuous. It gave me the ability to differentiate between quality and crap.

With this knowledge in mind, it is utterly impossible to sell an informed consumer a product simply based on the music used in the commercial. Why then, do advertisers insist on using catchy tunes from a generation ago to try and lure us in? I guess it fits the robot fa?ade. Advertisers think that consumers like this music so if they play it we will follow blindly to the stores to buy the products associated with these songs. What they don?t realize is that the only products that truly go up in sales are the cds of the artists used. This, is a good thing, but I am still miffed by this trend.

I don’t want to hear One Way Or Another by Blondie in a Revlon commercial.

I don’t want to hear Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode in a Gap commercial or Holiday in Cambodia by the Dead Kennedys in a Levi’s Dockers commercial.

I don’t want to hear Melt With You by Modern English in a Burger King commercial or 88 Lines About 44 Women by the Nails in a Volkswagon commercial.

I don’t want to hear Blue Monday by New Order in a Sunkist commercial or I Know What Boys Like by the Waitresses in a Budweiser commercial.

I don’t want to hear She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult, Tom Sawyer by Rush, How Soon Is Now by the Smiths, Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega, or Cannonball by the Breeders in a Nissan commercial.

I want to hear these songs on the radio, not on the television. The most melancholy part of all this is that MTV now plays more popular music in their commercials, then they do in videos. In the future, commercials may become our only source to truly good music. That will be a sad, yet inevitable day for true music fans everywhere.

Singing as Therapy

Back in the day, when I was in college the first time, I used to be able to work two part time jobs while I was studying. This was partly due to the major that I had chosen. See, even though I loved school, I didn’t really care about going to college. My mother was on my case about it and so I chose the easiest school to get in and the least difficult (for me at least) major. Playing instruments, singing, studying theory, practicing. These were all things that I had been doing since I was 3 years old. Some things (practicing for one) I did grudgingly. My mother had to set the oven timer to thirty minutes in order to keep me seated at the piano for at least that long. This would change in college where, when I was supposed to be practicing my singing, I would sit in the practice room for hours upon hours playing the piano. I guess it was a case of me wanting to do what I wanted to do. Per usual. Just like everything else in my life, if someone said I had to do something, I would choose to do something else. Music was not immune to this attitude.

Something I have come to find out in the past month is that no matter what, music is a saving grace for me. If I feel tired or sad or mad or agitated, I can sit at the piano, play a tune and feel better. It is really the best therapy. I inherited a piano from my maternal grandmother (Nana) that has brought many things to my abode. If I want to have a good cry, all I have to do is sit down at the piano and play “Blue Butterflies” and the waterworks start. I have been able to cry a little less with each rendition, but it still provides a release. I can think about how much I miss my Nana and Papa and the music gives me the push to let it go. After a good cry I like to sing a few tunes, usually of the operatic version, and this perks me up again. The piano also brings with it many memories of lessons (mine and other students) and holidays when the family would want me to play. Of days when I would visit and give in to or deny the request to play. It helps me to remember good times, but also times when I could have been quite a bit nicer. What is one song, really, in the grand scheme of things. Now I wish that I could play one more song on this piano, in the old house. And so it goes.

Music is like a drug. It can be an upper, downer, or maintainer. In college, it served as an escape. Forced rehearsals turned into wonderful occasions when the chorus sounded just right. When everyone was in tune and sounding glorious, it could truly lift ones mood. The addition of massive amounts of caffeine probably also had a lot to do with the up mood, but I am going to give music all the credit. Being in a show or chorus or band is an experience that everyone should be able to partake in at some point in their lives. It is cheaper than therapy and gives one the same outlet. In fact, it is sometimes even better, when you get to play out a “character” that is close to your own personality. Working out your issues on the stage is the ultimate in self absorption and whom but the self absorbed needs therapy? Try it, you will not be disappointed.

Peace,
Chantale

Appropriate links:

music therapy association
why music makes you happy
jamiroquai they always make me happy.