Bratmobile is an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, formed in 1991 and 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.

Beginnings

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.

History

1990–1991: Origins

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.

1991–1994: Pottymouth and breakup

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 of 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.

1999–2003: Reformation and second breakup

In 1999, the band decided to reunite for a low-key show in Oakland's Stork Club and the band was relaunched to go on tour with Sleater-Kinney.

In 2000, Bratmobile released their second full-length studio album, Ladies, Women and Girls. The album was well-received by critics and earned Bratmobile new fans as they toured with Sleater-Kinney, The Donnas, The Locust, among others. Ladies, Women and Girls was released on Neuman's Lookout! Records and produced by Tim Green of Nation of Ulysses and The Fucking Champs. Jon Nikki (Prima Donnas, Gene Defcon, Mocket, Sarah Dougher, Sir, Puce Moment) added guitar, bass and keyboard parts to the minimal Brat sound.

On May 7, 2002, Bratmobile released their third album, Girls Get Busy. On Girls Get Busy, Audrey Marrs, (Mocket, Gene Defcon) added keyboards that gave the album its distinctive new sound. Marty Violence (Young Pioneers) also contributed bass.

After dedicating most of 2002 and 2003 to promoting Girls Get Busy via touring, each of the principal members went back to do other things. While the band didn't formally break up, Allison Wolfe did post a message on January 30, 2004, in the Bratmobile message board concerning the status of the band:

In 2018, Kill Rock Stars produced a podcast series about Bratmobile titled Girl Germs. Smith was unable to join the band for this reunion due to "other commitments".

  • Girls Get Busy (2002) CD/LP (Lookout! Records) - US CMJ #17

EPs

  • The Real Janelle (1994) LPEP/CDEP (Kill Rock Stars) - US CMJ #83

Live albums

  • The Peel Session CDEP (Strange Fruit)

Singles

  • Kiss & Ride 7-inch (1992) (Homestead Records)

Split 7-inch

  • Tiger Trap/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (4-Letter Words)
  • Heavens to Betsy/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (K Records)
  • Brainiac/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (12X12)
  • Veronica Lake/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (Simple Machines)

Compilation appearances

  • Kill Rock Stars compilation, CD/LP, (Kill Rock Stars)
  • A Wonderful Treat compilation cassette
  • The Embassy Tapes cassette
  • Throw compilation CD (Yoyo Recordings)
  • International Pop Underground live LP/CD/CS (K Records)
  • Neapolitan Metropolitan boxed 7-inch set (Simple Machines)
  • Teen Beat 100 compilation 7-inch (Teen Beat)
  • Julep compilation LP/CD (Yo Yo)
  • Wakefield Vol. 2 V/A CD boxed set (Teen Beat)
  • Plea For Peace Take Action compilation CD (Sub City)
  • Boys Lie compilation CD (Lookout! Records)
  • Yo Yo A Go Go 1999 compilation CD (Yoyo Recordings)
  • Lookout! Freakout Episode 2 compilation CD (Lookout! Records)
  • Songs For Cassavetes compilation CD (Better Looking Records)
  • Lookout! Freakout Episode 3 CD (Lookout! Records)
  • Turn-On Tune-In Lookout! DVD (Lookout! Records)

Notes