Before Bikini Kill and the Julie Ruin, before Hole, there was the all female punk trio, Babes In Toyland. Featuring Kat Bjelland (lead vocals and guitar), with Lori Barbero (drums) and Michelle Leon (bass), after 18 long years the band has reunited with their Fontanelle (1992) lineup to perform their first show on February 12 at the Roxy in West Hollywood.
Formed in 1987 in Minneapolis, Babes In Toyland started a female punk band movement that would later influence more all-female bands to follow, including rrrriot girl acts and punk-feminist bands. Clad in Doc Martens with baby doll dresses and plastic barrettes in their hair, between 1989 and 1995, Babes In Toyland released three studio albums; Spanking Machine (1990), Fontanelle (1992), and Nemesisters (1995). In an interview with Lancer Radio at Pasadena College this past July, Kat Bjelland and Maureen Herman confirmed that they were getting back together to write new material and play shows. Although we have not received any confirmation of a new record, we’re real stoked on their upcoming Roxy Theater date. A close source tells us that Babes In Toyland have been rehearsing and played “Bruise Violet” the other day at rehearsal and it felt like it was 1993 all over again.
Why are Babes In Toyland getting back together?
“It was brought to my attention that not only do we have a lot of diehard fans from back in the day, but also a whole new generation of kids–my son Henry included– that were eager to see us live,” explained singer/guitar player Kat Bjelland. “I felt some kind of obligation for them to see us, too. But mainly, I just missed my girls and the feeling that comes from playing with them–visceral live therapy.”
“The first time we played together again,” added bass player Maureen Herman, “we weren’t sure what it would be like. After knocking the hell out of ‘He’s My Thing’ on the first try, we knew this was going to be fun–and it was going to rock like a motherf***er.”
Ticket to Babes In Toyland at The Roxy are priced at $20 and the show is all-ages. Tickets go on sale this Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m.
GET TICKETS TO BABES IN TOYLAND AT THE ROXY!
Babes In Toyland – “Bruise Violet”
Babes In Toyland – “Handsome and Gretel”
The Julie Ruin pack the Troubadour for show six of Red Bull’s #30daysinLA
PHOTOS / Review: Death Valley Girls at the Roxy
PHOTOS: Julie Ruin at the Echoplex
