Achtung Banditen #62

Back in the 80s there was an all female punk rock band in Chicago under the name of Barbie Army. The four young ladies paved the way for riot grrl movement that will come out just as they were breaking up in the early 90s. In a Spinal Tap-esque way of revolving musicians, 12 young women ended up contributing to the legend of Barbie Army. In this episode we talk to the guitarist and main songwriter of the band Jean Lotus about everything you ever wanted to know about them. From wearing tampons in their hair, to band members quitting in the middle of the show, to the MRR article that talks about them supporting Wendy O´Williams when Wendy never showed up for the concert, to Smashing Pumpkins writing a song about one of their members, to the crucial influence of college radio in creating an underground scene in Chicago, about Chicago clubs like Phyllis´Musical Inn, Exit Club, Mexican Patriotic Club, Club Stodola, to their only 7″ creating waves on college radio right after 9-11, and so much more. With a great soundtrack composed of songs by Material Issue, Muffs, Billy Bragg, New Model Army, Dr. Frank, Smashing Pumpkins, and of course Barbie army´s own hits. In English.

Achtung Banditen