10 Lesbian Rock Bands You Need to Know About

Looking for some new lesbian-fronted rock bands to check out? Here are 10 of the best, from classic groups like The Gits to newer up-and-comers like Vixen Von Bloom.

The Gits

The Gits were an American punk rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1986. The band’s final lineup consisted of lead singer and guitarist Mia Zapata, drummer Andrew Kinney, and bassist Matt Dresdner. Zapata was the only member of the band to have released all three of their studio albums; Food & Liquor (1992), Frenching the Bully (1993), and Enter: The Conquerers (1994).

The Gits gained notoriety in the Seattle music scene with their unique blend of punk rock and feminist lyrics. Zapata was known for her powerful and emotive vocals, which drew comparisons to Janis Joplin. The band released two EPs, Welcome to Vaseline Machine Gun (1989) and Peel Session (1991), before signing with the London-based record label gastr del sol in 1992.

Their debut album Food & Liquor was released to critical acclaim, but commercial success eluded the band. Their second album Frenching the Bully was recorded prior to Zapata’s murder in 1993, and was only released posthumously. The Gits’ final album Enter: The Conquerers featured bassist Donn Winters replacing Dresdner, who had left the band prior to recording. The album was finished by producer Steve Albini after Zapata’s death, and was released in 1994.

The Gits disbanded following Zapata’s murder, but their music has continued to influence subsequent generations of musicians. In 2006, Winters formed a new band called Re-Gits with Mia Klose on vocals, Jodie Tarasoff on drums, and guitarist Jennie Cotterill. The band released an EP called Revenge is Sweet… And So Are You in 2007 before disbanding the following year.

L7

L7 is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, United States. Formed in 1985, the band’s lineup consists of Donita Sparks and Suzi Gardner, both of whom are founding members, as well as Janis Tanaka and Demetra “Dee” Plakas. L7 has released seven studio albums and two live albums. They have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America.

The group’s name derives from a slang term for a square-shaped vagina.

Sleater-Kinney

Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band from Olympia, Washington, that formed in 1994. The group’s core lineup consisted of Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar), Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), and Janet Weiss (drums). Sleater-Kinney is a critical darling and a punk rock icon. They are often considered one of the defining voices of the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s.

The band was influenced by punk rock outfits like Bratmobile, L7, and Nirvana. Sleater-Kinney’s sound has been described as “a tribal stomp meets classic pop.” The trio’s breakneck tempos, catchy melodies, and sharp hooks have made them critical darlings and a punk rock institution.

KEXP has called them “one of America’s great indie bands.” Spin said they are “one of the essential bands of the ’90s.” In 2015, Stereogum ranked them #27 on their list of “The 50 Best American Indie Rock Bands Right Now.”

The Butchies

There are plenty of talented lesbian rock bands out there, but the Butchies are definitely one of the best. Made up of Kaia Wilson and Melissa York, the Butchies have been making music together since the early 1990s.

The Butchies have released six studio albums, and their music has been described as everything from punk to pop to indie rock. No matter what genre you prefer, The Butchies are sure to have a song that you’ll love. If you’re looking for some great lesbian-themed music, be sure to check out The Butchies!

Team Dresch

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, Team Dresch was one of the most influential out bands of the 1990s. The group’s sound was a mix of punk and folk that appealed to both indie and punk audiences. Team Dresch was also known for their DIY ethos and their support of queer and feminist causes.

The Donnas

Formed in Palo Alto, California in 1993, the all-female quartet the Donnas wrote simple, catchy songs about boys, partying, and growing up. They dismissed the idea that women couldn’t rock as hard as men, and they quickly gained a following with their raw, raucous sound. The Donnas released their self-titled debut album in 1998, and they went on to release eight more studio albums over the next two decades. The band announced their retirement in 2014, but they continue to perform together occasionally.

Le Tigre

Le Tigre is an American electro-feminist punk rock band founded in 1998 by feminist icon Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman, and Sadie Benning. The trio released three studio albums between 1999 and 2005 before going on an indefinite hiatus. They were one of the first bands to fuse feminism with queer politics and culture, setting the stage for numerous subsequent bands.

The Pipettes

The Pipettes are an indie rock band which formed in 2003 in Brighton, England. The band’s music is influenced by 1960s girl groups and Motown and features close three-part vocal harmonies. The band’s line-up has included Gwenno Saunders (lead vocals, guitar), Rose Elinor Dougall (bass guitar, vocals) and Rebecca Stephens (drums, vocals).

The Pipettes released their debut album, We Are the Pipettes, in 2006. The album was a commercial success in Europe, reaching number eight on the UK Albums Chart. It was also nominated for the 2006 Mercury Prize. The band’s second album, Earth vs. The Pipettes, was released in 2007 to positive reviews from music critics.

The Pipettes have toured extensively throughout Europe and North America and have appeared on many television shows, including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Last Call with Carson Daly.

The Dresden Dolls

The Dresden Dolls are an American rock band formed in 2001 in Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of Amanda Palmer (lead vocals, piano, ukulele) and Brian Viglione (drums, guitar, violin). They are known for their theatrical stage shows and use of costumes, make-up and puppets.

The Dresden Dolls were founded by Palmer and Viglione in 2001. Palmer met Viglione through an ad she had posted on Craigslist looking for a drummer. The two began writing songs together and self-released their first album, The Dresden Dolls, in 2003. The album was well-received by critics and the band toured extensively to support it. In 2004, they released their second album, Yes, Virginia…, which was an even bigger success than their debut. The album spawned the singles “Coin-Operated Boy” and “Girl Anachronism”, both of which received a fair amount of airplay on alternative radio stations.

The Dresden Dolls have been credited with helping to revive the popularity of cabaret music and are often cited as an influence by other bands in the genre, such as the Tiger Lillies and the Ditty Bops. They have also been credited with popularizing the use of puppets and costumes in rock shows.

Autostraddle’s Ultimate Lesbian Music Guide

Welcome to Autostraddle’s Ultimate Lesbian Music Guide! Here you’ll find 10 lesbian rock bands that you need to know about. From established acts like Tegan and Sara to up-and-coming talent like HAERTS, these are the bands that are making waves in the lesbian community. So whether you’re looking for some new music to add to your collection or just want to learn more about the lesbian music scene, this guide is a great place to start.

Tegan and Sara

HAERTS

The Regrettes

Grizfolk

Phantogram

Luscious Jackson

San Fermin

P VRIS

The Gits:

One of the most talented and innovative rock bands of the 1990s, The Gits were sadly only together for a few short years before singer Mia Zapata was tragically murdered in 1993. The Gits combined punk, metal, and classic rock influences to create a sound that was uniquely their own, and Zapata’s searing lyrics and powerful vocal performances were a major part of what made the band so special. If you’re looking for a place to start with The Gits, check out their album Enter: The Conquering Rod, which is considered by many to be their masterpiece.

Formed in Seattle in 1986, the Gits were a punk rock band fronted by the late Mia Zapata. The band released just one album, Enter: The Conquering Chicken, before Zapata’s untimely death in 1993.

The Gits were a punk rock band fronted by the late Mia Zapata. The band released just one album, Enter: The Conquering Chicken, before Zapata’s untimely death in 1993.

Other notable lesbian rock bands include Sleater-Kinney, a trio formed in 1994 in Olympia, Washington; Tribe 8, a San Francisco-based punk rock band formed in 1992; and thebutchies, an all-female punk rock band from San Francisco that was active from 1997 to 2006.

L7:

L7 is an American punk rock band formed in 1990. The band’s original lineup consisted of Donita Sparks on vocals and guitar, Suzi Gardner on vocals and guitar, Jennifer Finch on bass, and Demetra Plakas on drums. They were often associated with the grunge movement of the early 1990s due to their shared prominence in the Seattle music scene.

L7 released their debut albumSmell the Magic in 1992 and followed it up with their most successful album, Bricks Are Heavy, in 1992. The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The singles “Pretend We’re Dead” and “Andres” received heavy rotation on MTV and helped to propel the album to success.

The band has had a tumultuous history, with lineup changes, hiatus periods, and extended periods of inactivity. They have been active again since 2014, however, and released a new album, Scatter the Rats, in 2019.

Other notable lesbian rock bands include:
-The Gits
-Team Dresch
-Butchies

L7 is an all-female grunge band from Los Angeles, California, United States. They were active from 1985 to 2001 and reformed in 2014.

L7 is an all-female grunge band from Los Angeles, California, United States. They were active from 1985 to 2001 and reformed in 2014. The band’s name derives from the slang term “square,” meaning both “out of touch” and “lame.” L7 influenced many of the riot grrrl bands that came after them.

The members of L7 are Suzi Gardner (guitar), Donita Sparks (guitar), Jennifer Finch (bass), and Demetra Plakas (drums). The band’s debut album, Hungry for Stink, was released in 1994. Their best known song is “Pretend We’re Dead,” which was a hit in 1992.

Sleater-Kinney:

Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band’s core lineup consisted of Corin Tucker (vocals, guitar), Carrie Brownstein (guitar, vocals), and Janet Weiss (drums). Sleater-Kinney is widely considered one of the essential bands of the riot grrrl movement of the 1990s. They are also known for their feminist and queer perspectives, as well as their left-leaning politics. Sleater-Kinney’s music combines elements of punk rock and indie rock, and they have released seven studio albums since their 1995 debut.

The best way to describe Sleater-Kinney’s sound is “raw.” Their songs are full of emotion and power, and they’re not afraid to experiment with different styles and sounds. If you’re a fan of punk rock or riot grrrl, then you need to check out Sleater-Kinney.

Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band’s lineup features Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss. Sleater-Kinney is a key part of the riot grrrl and indie rock scenes in the Pacific Northwest.

Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band’s lineup features Corin Tucker, Carrie Brownstein, and Janet Weiss. Sleater-Kinney is a key part of the riot grrrl and indie rock scenes in the Pacific Northwest. The band released seven studio albums before going on an extended hiatus in 2006. Sleater-Kinney’s eighth studio album, No Cities to Love, was released in 2015.

Other notable lesbian rock bands include Tegan and Sara, HAIM, Warpaint, and Foxesglove.

The Butchies:

The Butchies were a force to be reckoned with in the early 2000s. The trio, made up of Kaia Wilson, Alison Martlew, and Sammy Jo Hester, delivered songs about love and heartbreak with an upbeat punk rock edge. Their music was incredibly catchy, and their live shows were even more energetic. If you’re looking for a lesbian band that will get you moving, The Butchies are a great choice.

The Butchies were a queer punk band from San Francisco, California, United States, active from 1998 to 2006. The band was fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist Kaia Wilson and also featured drummer Alison Martlew and bassist Tammy Rae Carland.

The Butchies were a queer punk band from San Francisco, California, United States, active from 1998 to 2006. The band was fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist Kaia Wilson and also featured drummer Alison Martlew and bassist Tammy Rae Carland.

The Butchies wrote songs about a wide range of topics, including relationships, daily life, and social and political issues important to the LGBT community. They were known for their high energy live shows, and their music was featured in several films and television shows.

The Butchies disbanded in 2006, but Wilson has continued to release music under the name Kaia Wilson & the Butchies.

Team Dresch:

Team Dresch is a punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1992 by singer/guitarist Donna Dresch, drummer Marisa Rosen, and bassist Sharon Chesley. The band is considered influential in the development of the queercore subgenre of punk rock. They were also known for their feminist and do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos.

Team Dresch is an American punk rock band, formed in Olympia, Washington in 1993. The band’s original lineup consisted of singer-songwriter-guitarist Jody Bleyle, bassist Donna Dresch, and drummer Kaia Wilson.

Team Dresch is an American punk rock band, formed in Olympia, Washington in 1993. The band’s original lineup consisted of singer-songwriter-guitarist Jody Bleyle, bassist Donna Dresch, and drummer Kaia Wilson. They were one of the first out lesbian bands to achieve mainstream success and were a prominent member of the queercore movement.

The band released three full-length albums, Punks & Snowflakes (1994), Live from C/U (1995), and Personal Best (1996), as well as a number of EPs and split albums. They disbanded in 1998, but reunited in 2014 for a series of shows.

Other notable lesbian rock bands include The Gits, Sleater-Kinney, Little Big Town, and Tegan and Sara.

The Donnas:

Formed in Palo Alto, California in 1993, the Donnas are one of the original all-girl bands and have been a force to be reckoned with ever since. The quartet – consisting of Brett Anderson (bass/vocals), Allison Robertson (guitar/vocals), Maya Ford (drums/vocals) and Torry Castellano (drums) – are known for their punk rock sound and high-energy live shows. They’ve released eight studio albums, the most recent being 2012’s Greatest Hits Vol. 16, and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

The Donnas are an American rock band from Palo Alto, California. They consist of four women who play guitars, bass and drums and sing lead and backing vocals. The band members are currently Brett Anderson, Allison Robertson, Maya Ford and Torry Castellano.

The Donnas are an American rock band from Palo Alto, California. They consist of four women who play guitars, bass and drums and sing lead and backing vocals. The band members are currently Brett Anderson, Allison Robertson, Maya Ford and Torry Castellano.

The Donnas began playing together in May 1993 and were self-described “bad girls” who played music inspired by the Ramones, the Runaways and Tom Petty. They gained popularity in the San Francisco Bay Area punk scene in the late 1990s and released their debut album, “The Donnas”, in 1998.

The band’s breakthrough came with their fourth album, “Spend the Night”, which was released in 2002 and entered the Billboard 200 albums chart at number 28. The album’s success led to a contract with Atlantic Records, who released their fifth album, “Gold Medal”, in 2004.

The Donnas have toured internationally and have opened for bands such as Green Day, Blink-182 and Motörhead. They have also appeared on late-night talk shows such as “Late Show with David Letterman” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”.

Le Tigre:

Le Tigre was an American electropunk band from New York City, formed in 1998 by Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and Sadie Benning. The group’s music combined elements of punk rock and electronic music, and their lyrics often dealt with feminist issues. They were one of the first bands to be described as “riot grrrl.” The band released three studio albums between 1999 and 2004 before going on hiatus.

Le Tigre is an American electronic rock band from New York City, formed in 1998. The band consists of Kathleen Hanna (vocals, keyboards), Johanna Fateman (synthesizer, vocals) and Sadie Benning (guitar, electronics).

Le Tigre is an American electronic rock band from New York City, formed in 1998. The band consists of Kathleen Hanna (vocals, keyboards), Johanna Fateman (synthesizer, vocals) and Sadie Benning (guitar, electronics).

Their music has been described as a mix of “riot grrrl extremism and post-punk experimentalism.” In addition to Hanna, Fateman and Benning, the band has also included various other musicians over the years, including Ian Svenonius, JD Samson and Ana Moura.

The band was active from 1998 to 2006, during which time they released three studio albums: Le Tigre (1999), Feminist Sweepstakes (2001) and This Island (2004). They have also released a number of singles and EPs.

Since going on hiatus in 2006, the members of Le Tigre have continued to pursue solo and collaborative projects. Hanna has fronted the bands Julie Ruin and Bikini Kill, while Fateman and Samson have both been involved with Men’s Recovery Project.