Girls to the Front

The definitive account of the radical feminist punks and their music: “Exhilarating. . . . The well-documented history Riot Grrrl deserves.” —Los Angeles Times

Girls to the Front is the epic, definitive history of the Riot Grrrl movement—the radical feminist punk uprising that exploded into the public eye in the 1990s, altering America’s gender landscape forever. Sara Marcus interweaves research, interviews, and her own memories as a Riot Grrrl front-liner in a passionate, sophisticated narrative that brilliantly conveys the story of punk bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Heavens to Betsy—as well as successors like Sleater-Kinney, Partyline, and Kathleen Hanna’s Le Tigre—and their effect on today’s culture.

“Compelling . . . Marcus has done a commendable job of telling the little-known history of an important social and cultural movement.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A fascinating social history. . . .Marcus focuses on the girls in the crowd as much as stars like Bikini Kill.” —Rolling Stone

“A brash, gutsy chronicle . . . captures the combustible excitement of this significant if short-lived moment.” —Publishers Weekly

“Not only a historical rockument of the revolutionary ’90s counterculture Riot Grrrl movement . . . but also a rousing inspiration for a new generation of empowered rebel girls to strap on guitars and stick it to The Man.”—Vanity Fair

“Girls to the Front is not just a keeper of the flame but brings you to yr own fire.” —Kim Gordon

Includes photographs