Alt-Riot is a blog featuring slternative and independent music from before the dot com boom.
Scarface - Cadallaca
Out West (Kill Rock Stars 1999)
Cadallaca is an indie rock band formed out of the riot grrrl movement in Portland, OR. The group consisted of Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) Sarah Dougher, and sts (The Lookers). The band is described as being a classic girl group with feminist rhetoric.
Sounds like: Sleater-Kinney, The Spells, Bratmobile.
This Is Not Your Wedding Song - Excuse 17
Such Friends Are Dangerous (Kill Rock Stars 1995)
Excuse 17 was a queercore riot grrrl band formed in Olympia, WA in in 1993 by Becca Albee, CJ Phillips, and Carrie Brownstein who went on to from Sleater-Kinney.
Sounds like: Sleater-Kinney, The Spells, Bratmobile.
S.F. Sorrow - SF Seals
Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows (Matador 1995)
SF Seals was Barbara Manning’s band in the mid-90’s. Their name was inspired by a San Francisco minor league baseball team.
Sounds like: Barbara Manning, Run On, The Spells.
P.R.D.C.T. - Bratmobile
Pottymouth (Kill Rock Stars 1993)
Bratmobile was one of the driving forces of the riot grrl feminist punk movement in the 90’s. Like Bikini Kill, the band was inspired by a collaborative zine called “Girl Germs” created by founding members Allison Wolfe and Molly Neuman. Pottymouth was their only full-length release.
Sounds like: Bikini Kill, Partyline, Excuse 17.
Turn It On - Sleater-Kinney
Dig Me Out (Kill Rock Stars 1997)
Sleater-Kinney was one of the most influential punk rock bands of the past two decades. They formed in the riot grrrl scene in Olympia, WA in 1994 by Corin Tucker (Heavens to Betsy) and Carrie Brownstein (Excuse 17). Janet Weiss (Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks) later joined the line-up. While their music has strong anti-establishment themes reminiscent of original punk music, the band gained much popularity for utilizing the freethinking ideals of 90’s alternative rock. Much to the chagrin of indie music lovers, the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2006.
Sounds like: The Spells, Helium, Mecca Normal.
Lucy - Helium
What’s Up Matador? (Matador 1997)
Originally called Chupa, Helium is an indie rock band formed in 1992. A few years later, prominent female artist Mary Timony of bands such as The Spells was recruited. Although Timony is often compared to Liz Phair for her pottymouth lyrics, Helium’s dissonant sound established the group as a distinct force in alternative and noise rock of the decade.
Sounds like: Sleater-Kinney, The Spells, Chavez.
Make It Go Away - Barbara Manning
One Perfect Green Blanket (Heyday 1993)
Barbara Manning is perhaps one of the most neglected independent female singer/songwriters of the 90’s. In addition to her solo career, she was a frontwoman and lead guitarist or numerous bands, including S. F. Seals. Currently she is the host of a weekly radio program called Radio Detour in Chico, CA.
Sounds like: Liz Phair, S. F. Seals, Mecca Normal.
Schizophrenia is Weighing me Down (Sonic Youth Cover) - Cat Power
Clear the Room: Demos & Rarities (self 1996)
Cat Power is one of the most accomplished singer/guitarists of our time. She has released several covers albums, and this one was the first — a self-produced compilation of songs by artists from Pavement to Mary J. Blige. These recordings are very interesting interpretations of the original songs, each echoing a loneliness signature to Cat Power’s slower songs. She produced this album during an off-point in her career as she moved to Portland with her then boyfriend Bill Callahan (of Smog) as she intended to permanently retire from the scene. A nightmare inspired her to start writing songs again, leading to her album Moon Pix.
Sounds like: Liz Phair, Helium, Mecca Normal.
Kid’s Allright - Bettie Serveert
Palomine (Matador/Guernica 1992)
Sounds like: The Breeders, Dinosaur Jr., Pavement
Can’t Explain - The Spells
The Age of Backwards (K Records 1999)
Sounds like: Sleater-Kinney, Helium, Le Tigre
