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Subject: Typical Girls: Women in Punk/Post-Punk/Underground Music (Circa 1975-1980s)

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  • From: "Dina Hornreich" <dina.hornreich AT gmail.com>
  • To: "Typical Girls" <typicalgirls AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [TypicalGirls] 2nd draft! Still needs more blurbiage! Thanks to all contributors thus far
  • Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 16:24:25 -0600

Title: The Typical Girls Listserv Presents:

The Typical Girls Listserv Presents:

Must-Have CDs for Girl Rockers!

 

 

Altered Images: “I Could Be Happy: The Best of Altered Images” collection (SONY)

 

Au Pairs:  "Stepping Out of Line" 2CD anthology (Castle)

 

The Avengers: “Died for Your Sins” live, demos, oddities, and out of print tracks (Lookout!)

 

Bangles: “All Over the Place” 1984 debut album reissue (SONY)

Their first full-length, and an absolutely terrific power-pop album with touches of the "paisley underground" psychedelic vibe.  Notable feature: all four of them wrote songs and sang leads (and harmonies), although all the hits they're remembered for were sung by Susanna Hoffs, and almost all of them were covers… I put "James" on a mix CD a few years ago, and half a dozen people emailed me to ask "were the Bangles always that awesome?" (Douglas Wolk)

 

Bush Tetras: “Boom in the Night” collection of demos and EPs 1980-83 (ROIR)

 

Delta 5: "Singles and Sessions 1979-81" (Kill Rock Stars)

A funky, feminist-minded group -- that featured more males than females. With two bass players and songs like the often-covered "Mind Your Own Business" and "You", Delta 5 stand out as one of the best from a scene that featured several female-friendly bands. (Bob Moore)

 

Essential Logic: "Fanfare in the Garden" 2CD retrospective (Kill Rock Stars)

 

ESG: "A South Bronx Story" retrospective (Universal Sound)

 

Go-Go’s: “Beauty and the Beat” 1981 debut album reissue (A&M)

From singles like "Our Lips are Sealed", which was co-written by former Specials member Terry Hall, to the fantastic b-side "How Much More?" this album features some happy, upbeat music. A song doesn't have to be angry or political to be functional, right? Plus, how many other bands had three great songwriters? (Bob Moore)

 

Nina Hagen: “Nunsexmonkrock” 1982 album reissue (Rhino) 

Essential.  Really.  She is fucking insane and beautiful and inspiring.  I still listen to that

last song "UFO", because she says "You are not alone" over and over and it is like some magical fairy godmother making everything okay. (Kendra Hadlock)

 

LiLiPUT: (formerly named Kleenex) self-titled 2CD complete collection (Kill Rock Stars)

This compilation is incredible, I really don't know how else to put it! I think this one stands out a bit from the other similar reissues, I can't explain why exactly. (Jamie J.)

 

Lene Lovich: "Stateless" 1978 album reissue (Rhino) {IMPORT VERSION IS RECOMMENDED}

If you have the chance to hear the UK mix of the Lene Lovich LP (not sure which is on the Rhino CD) it is radically different --and far superior. (Chuck Warner)

 

Marine Girls: “Lazy Ways/Beach Party” 1983+1981 double album reissue on 1 CD (Cooking Vinyl)

 

Martha and the Muffins: “Far Away in Time” collection (Caroline)

            Catchy pop rock with a slightly ironic edge to it, and Canadian content. (Tim Murphy)

 

Maximum Joy: "Unlimited 1979-1983" collection (Crippled Dick Hot Wax)

If you can only pick one jazz-influenced post-punk band to listen to, make sure it is Maximum Joy. (Bob Moore)

 

Mystère des Voix Bulgares: self-titled (Nonesuch)

…completely mindblowing to everyone that heard it for the first time back then, partly because of the melodies, but especially because it was this MASS of women making all kinds of incredible vocal sounds without any preconceptions of (or training in) traditional/classical singing technique. (Chuck Warner)

 

OH-OK: "The Complete Recordings" (Collectors' Choice)

A perfect example of how you don't need a lot of technical ability to make great music. Beginning girl rockers would definitely be able to relate to the songs from the 7". (Kip Shepherd)

 

The Raincoats: self-titled 1979 debut album reissue (Rough Trade)

If I had to pick a favorite band, it would be The Raincoats. Their self-titled debut is a great introduction to a band that was among the best, most clever, artsiest, and at times weirdest of the post-punk bands. >From a memorable cover of "Lola" to "The Void", which was later covered by Hole, this is one of the best "girls that rock" albums you are going to find. (Bob Moore)

 

Singular and lovely.  These women made music in the best way -- uplifting, human, smart, funny, fascinating. (Robin Dunn)

 

The Runaways:  self-titled1976 debut album import reissue (Cherry Red UK)

A bunch of teenage girls not only singing but playing and being badass?  Yes please!  Feed me, charge me, teach me the ways of Rock n’ Roll. Oh Joan, Lita, Sandy, Jackie and Cherie. (Theresa Meire)

 

Siouxsie & The Banshees: “The Best Of Siouxsie and the Banshees: Sound + Vision Deluxe” 2CD+DVD (Polydor)

            I was in love with the Siouxsie singles collection when I was 15. (Marissa Magic)

 

Miz Sioux herself sort of prompted that whole Sex Pistols cursing on television controversy caused by the host's flirting with her.  That was maybe a pivotal moment for punk in general.  And the weird connection of Budgie actually drumming on [The Slits’] “Cut.” (Kendra Hadlock)

 

The Slits: "Cut" 1979 debut album reissue (Island)

These girls are both better musicians and songwriters than the punk elite will admit, and just because there are not a dozen bands that sound just like them does not mean that they are not influential. (Bob Moore)

 

Patti Smith: “Horses” 2CD 1975 debut album reissue with bonus material (Arista)

Patti is one of the most free performers to ever grace this earth and she is really the original everything in my book! This record goes through every emotion and I know that the first time I heard it made me want to just go out and start a band. Plus, that voice! (Jamie J.)

 

Patti is nothing but strength and beauty.  Her voice and her words and her form stood out like some kind of lighthouse, a pillar, while she said "Anybody can do what I'm doing.  Anybody can get on a stage and sing." Listening to Patti is like taking your vitamins.(Robin Dunn)

 

Sonic Youth:  "Confusion Is Sex/Kill Yr Idols" CD (Geffen)

2 definitive 1983 releases reissued on 1 CD (note - I think EVOL is probably a better choice but it didn't come out until 1986) (Sharon Cheslow)

 

Tom Tom Club: self-titled 1981 debut album reissue (Sire)

Too long have they been considered a novelty side-project from some Talking Heads. Tina and Chris, Tina's sisters, Sly and Robbie, some of the Talking Heads touring band...they were pioneering in mixing New Wave, Funk and Hip-Hop, had a few chart hits, and created several all-time dance floor classics... People should definitely look past the hits because both albums are filled with gems. I've been DJing "This is a Foxy World" from the second LP lately. If you're not already turned on or think Genius of Love and Wordy Rappinghood is where they stopped, [...then] check out L'Elephant and Lorelei. (Dan Selzer)

 

The Waitresses: “The Best of the Waitresses” (Polydor)

 

X: “Los Angeles” 1980 album reissue (Rhino)

…belong[s] at the top of any list of how to write great songs with your lover.  Only the songs survive... (Chuck Warner)

 

X-Ray Spex: "Germ-Free Adolescents" 1978 album reissue (Castle)

Germ Free Adolescents might be a bit repetitive with its constant theme of consumerism, but it is to this day one of the most unique sounding albums ever released. (Bob Moore)

 

Y Pants: 1980 self-titled EP + 1982 "Beat it Down" album reissue (Periodic Document)

Melodic No Wave played exclusively on toy instruments.  The songs are largely about everyday events, only barely hide unsettling and unresolved emotions underneath.  “That’s The Way Boys Are,” a sweet acapella song that gradually gives way to terrified screaming, is one of the scariest songs I’ve ever heard.  (Mike Appelstein)

 

DIY at it's best.  I can listen to them on repeat every day and never grow tired of it.  The best girl band of all time! (bold statement, I know) They took me where I wanted the Raincoats to go. (and I adore the Raincoats) but Y Pants is this nearly delicate but

fiercely independent and wholly unusual balance of improvised toy instrumentation and catchy girl-singing.  And still under the radar. (and not easy to find) I stole my copy from my ex-boyfriend. (Kendra Hadlock)

 

Young Marble Giants: "Colossal Youth and Collected Works" 3CD collection containing 1979 album reissue with bonus material (Domino)

There were only a few ingredients to this Cardiff trio’s sound – just a guitar, bass, female vocals and metronomic drum machine.  Yet they made an album that, through its very minimalism and quietness, actually broadened the palette of punk and underground music.  Colossal Youth has never aged, and its legacy has only grown since its original 1980 release.  It’s an album that has literally changed lives – it certainly did mine at age 15 – and its latest reissue includes the band’s two singles, an entire bonus disc of rarities and demo versions, and (in the early copies), another bonus disc of Peel sessions.  They recently played their first concert since 1981 to celebrate; perhaps the straight world is ready to give them credit after all these years.  (Mike Appelstein)

 

Various Artists: “No New York” landmark 1978 compilation reissue (Lillith) showcasing Mars, DNA (featuring Ikue Mori), Teenage Jesus & the Jerks (featuring Lydia Lunch), James Chance & The Contortions.

I'm really glad somebody told me about Lydia Lunch when I was 13. She has insane groundbreaking rock roots and has gone on to break into other multiple art forms and continues to stick to her own thing and be true to herself... which sounds really cheesy, but is really important. (Marissa Magic)

 

Lydia Lunch was pretty much my gateway drug to interesting music.  I got into Hole when they were getting radio play in the early nineties (I a teenager) and in a Hole biography Courtney Love complained that people called her a "Lydia Lunch knockoff" or something so I thought who is this Lydia Lunch?  She coincidentally had done a song with a band I liked (Sonic Youth) on their album Bad Moon Rising.  (Which, time-wise is the tail-end of the TG era, but is my vote as it has my favorite Kim songs.)  Teenage Jesus introduced me to No Wave (!) which forever changed my life for the better.  Ikue Mori's drumming is sublime. "Everything" is relatively easy to get ahold of - but also Lydia Lunch's "Hysterie" is easier, and has the bulk of the TG songs. (Kendra Hadlock)

 

The Typical Girls listserv is an e-mail based music dialogue and discussion group for the discovery of (and appreciation for) the unknown legends in women's punk/post-punk/underground music history. Typical Girls ideally focuses on the pre-riot grrrl female innovators in music starting around 1975 and ending around 1984.

 

For more information, please go to our website at <http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/typicalgirls>.

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  • [TypicalGirls] 2nd draft! Still needs more blurbiage! Thanks to all contributors thus far, Dina Hornreich, 06/03/2007

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