Bratmobile – Allison Wolfe

Molly Neuman & Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile at Mosswood Meltdown, Oakland, California, July 2, 2023. Photo by Ben Trivett.

BRATMOBILE 2023

On July 2, 2023, for the first time in more than 20 years, legendary feminist punk band, Bratmobile, performed, co-headlining with Le Tigre, to a packed crowd at the John Waters-hosted Mosswood Meltdown. The band also played a sold-out “secret” show on June 28, 2023 at Zebulon in Los Angeles. This was the first time Bratmobile delivered its iconic riot grrrl songs and joyous punk-rock antics to crowds since September 9, 2002 (in New York City). SingerAllison Wolfe and drummerMolly Neuman were joined by Rose Melberg on guitar (Tiger Trap, the Softies), Audrey Marrs on keys (Mocket, Bratmobile 2.0 live, Oscar-winning filmmaker) and Marty Key on bass (Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Young Pioneers) for the performances.

Wolfe and Neuman, hailing from Olympia, Washington and Washington DC, respectively, met in the dorms as undergrads at the University of Oregon in 1989. They became fast friends, fusing their interests in punk music, social justice and do-it-yourself creativity. In 1990, with encouragement from Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and Tobi Vail, Neuman and Wolfe started all-girl band Bratmobile and the punk feminist fanzine, Girl Germs. At the behest of K Records’ Calvin Johnson, Bratmobile played its first show as a duo opening for Bikini Kill and Some Velvet Sidewalk on Valentine’s Day, 1991, at the Northshore Surf Club in Olympia.

That spring break, Wolfe followed Neuman home to Washington, DC, where the Brats joined forces with guitarist and Teenage Gang Debs fanziner, Erin Smith, and they solidified the lineup as a three-piece by that summer. The bandmates also cofounded third-wave punk feminist network riot grrrl with the goal of making academic feminism more punk and their punk scene more feminist. Bratmobile, along with sister bands Bikini Kill and Heavens to Betsy, emerged as a primary band of the movement.

Bratmobile released several split seven-inch records on various labels before signing with Olympia record label Kill Rock Stars and releasing their classic album, Pottymouth, and a follow-up EP, The Real Janelle. The bi-coastal band toured across the US, down the West Coast, and all over the UK, before breaking up in May 1994 on stage at Thread Waxing Space in New York City.

Following a 4-year hiatus, Bratmobile felt that the time was right to reunite with a show at the Stork Club in Oakland, California in February 1998. The band toured the US with Sleater-Kinney, the Make Up, the Donnas, and Gravy Train and Europe with the Donnas; they also graced festival stages at several Ladyfests, This Ain’t No Picnic, and Yo-Yo a Go Go. Bratmobile released two more albums, Ladies, Women & Girls and Girls Get Busy, on Lookout! Records before going their separate ways in late 2002 to pursue other interests.

Wolfe and Neuman have always believed that you should be an active participant in creating the culture and community you want to see, then and now, and have fun doing it, so Bratmobile is back!

YOUTUBE VIDEOS:

Bratmobile perform “Cherry Bomb” with the Linda Lindas and assorted kids

“Kiss & Ride” by Bratmobile from Mosswood Meltdown 2023

Bratmobile – Brat Girl (Live at Mosswood Meltdown 2023)

Bratmobile – Bitch Theme (Live at Zebulon Café Los Angeles 6/28/2023)

Bratmobile “Cool Schmool” (Live at Zebulon LA 6/28/23)

Bratmobile’s Bitch Theme complete with body surfing galore! #mosswoodmeltdown2023

ARTICLES:

“Riot Grrrl Icons Bratmobile Reuniting for First Show in Over 20 Years,” Rolling Stone

“Bratmobile Reuniting After 20-Year Break for John Waters-Hosted Festival,” Spin

“Bratmobile Reunite for First Show in Over 20 Years,” Pitchfork

“Bratmobile reuniting for first public show in over 20 years as part of 2023 Mosswood Meltdown lineup,” Brooklyn Vegan