A series of beautiful comics by Tom Gauld and Simone Lia, about writers. Here’s one about Dorothy Parker, be sure to check the links at the bottom of the page for others.

This is via Cat and Girl, a web comic by Dorothy Gambrell that I’ve been enjoying for years. Check her strip out too!

In late March, Rounder Records re-released a 1972 album by Chicago and New Haven Women’s Liberation Rock Bands called
Papa Don’t Lay that **** On Me.

It looks like it would be worth owning, simply for the cover art. Look at those toughs!

A quick listen through the track list, however, reveals both camp and humor. For some reason, there are also 2 tracks by Le Tigre in there, but without much explanation. I guess that’s how they make the “mother of riot grrl” connection.

I’m looking forward to listening to it. I went to see this documentary last year called, Radical Harmonies, that featured the Chicago Women’s Liberation Rock Band, and they seemed like the coolest of all the old school artists. I cut my teeth on Punk Rock, and then Riot Grrrl, so it’s sometimes it’s hard to listen to the more melodic, folksy aspects of what is known as “women’s music”. (just as I fully expect my son to scoff at my old records when he’s grown) My mom has a ton of those records, by Holly Near, Chris Williamson, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Ronnie Gilbert, etc. So I have a history there too, from a younger age.

Those women really did pave the way for our beloved Sleater Kinney, The Quails, Le Tigre and so many others: They had their own label (Olivia Records) before there was a big indie movement that spawned hundreds of independent label options. They had lesbo rock. They had “f-you!”. A tip o’ the type, then, to my foremothers.

Rock on!