IT’S RIOT GRRL WEEK COMING UP IN THE BAY AREA!!!

HOLY MATRIARCHAL TRINITY, BATMAN! Labor Day week is bringing us to the Bay Area, the ultimate week of Riot Grrl legends coming to town. Arguably, the three most significant bands of the classic PNW / Olympia, WA scene are all playing in the same week. 

First, on Tuesday, September 8th, we have Bikini Kill at The Warfield playing with what is being touted as the last EVER Bay Area appearance by THE ALICE BAG BAND. Yes, that’s Bikini Kill and Alice Bag on at the historic Warfield in downtown SF. Tickets are available here

The next night at the gorgeous Greek Theater in Berkeley, we have Sleater-Kinney. Arguably the greatest American live band, under the stars on a lovely early Fall evening. I’m so unbelievably excited about this show. To make matters all the more enticing, indie rock legend Liz Phair and soon-to-be legendary Soccer Mommy are both on the bill, too! Tickets here

Closing out the week will be two nights at Bottom Of The Hill with the great Bratmobile! These are their first proper headlining gigs since reforming, and, sadly, both are sold out. So you’ve gotta hope for a miracle to land tix to these shows on Friday, September 11th, and Saturday, September 12th. 

And, if that’s still not enough for you, just over a month later, Heavens To Betsy are playing their first SF shows in like 30-some odd years on October 17th and 18th, but sadly, they are also sold out. There are still a few more tickets left for Team Dresch’s pair of November shows! Tickets for Wednesday, November 4th are here. And Thursday, November 5th are here

 

HEAVENS TO BETSY’S FIRST RECORDINGS ARE FINALLY COMING OUT!!!

WOO HOO!!! The biggest surprise of 2026 is the groundbreaking riot grrl duo Heavens To Betsy getting back together and playing shows again. I did not expect to also get a new album. And by a new album, actually an album of demos recorded by Bratmobile legend Molly Neuman back in 1992. 

baby’s gone is coming to you from legendary punk label Kill Rock Stars on October 16th. Preorders, along with new merch, are available starting now! And, of course, don’t forget the tour! So many shows are already sold out, so don’t delay in locking in. I have waited my entire teenage AND adult life for this to happen. 

HEAVENS TO BETSY ARE BACK!!!!

OH SHIT! OH SHIT! OH SHIT!!!! Heavens to Betsy, the legendary Riot Grrl band that put out one genius record and three 7″s in the early 90s and then closed up shop just after both members became old enough to buy beer, is back together! They played their first show in 32 years last night in Portland, and are prepping for a fall tour! My 14-year-old self is overjoyed that I’ll FINALLY get to see them! Tour dates and a clip from that first show below: Continue reading “HEAVENS TO BETSY ARE BACK!!!!”

Spinning Platters Interview: Corin Tucker & Peter Buck of Filthy Friends

You have 15 minutes in a room with two of your idols to ask them whatever you want. Here’s how that goes…

Photo taken at The Independent in SF on 8.29.17

R.E.M. changed my life. If it weren’t for them, I probably wouldn’t have found rock ‘n’ roll. At least they were my gateway band, the band that introduced me to punk, folk, power pop, and even hip hop. Sleater-Kinney are a band I found in high school, and they quickly became my favorite band. Little did I expect that cofounder Corin Tucker would form a band with R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck many years later. That band is Filthy Friends, and they recently released a fantastic record. We had the opportunity to chat with them just before they played the Independent. I tried not to geek out too much. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Corin Tucker & Peter Buck of Filthy Friends”

Show Review: The Corin Tucker Band w/ The Golden Bears at Great American Music Hall, 10/11/10

I need to level with you, my loyal readers. Sleater-Kinney is my favorite band. End of story. I have seen them more times than any other band, and, quite happily, only once has seen them as a support act. (As sub-headliner at This Is Not A Festival in 1999)

Since their hiatus began in 2006, I’ve been eagerly awaiting some musical output by the band members. Yes, Janet Weiss has been putting out Quasi records at the same frequency, but her SK-time has been devoted to Stephen Malkmus and Bright Eyes session work. Carrie Brownstein has been writing and doing comedy, amongst other things.  But, Corin Tucker has been quiet, at least comparatively so. She’s made a handful of public appearance, but for the most part, she’s been the reclusive one.

This year, Corin Tucker finally put out a solo record, and then pulled together a band to do a short tour in support of it. I’m equal parts excited and worried that it’s not going to be up to expectations.

Continue reading “Show Review: The Corin Tucker Band w/ The Golden Bears at Great American Music Hall, 10/11/10”