GIRLS TO THE FRONT Magazine

ORIGINS

VOLUME 01:

AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS ON THE PUNK FE M I N I ST MOVEMENT

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Lately the riot grrrl scene has seemed to pique the interest of mainstream media once again, and many people who analyzed the phenomenon in depth are trying to warn today‘s feminists about

the topic‘s harmful ideas: such a limited and exclusive form of feminism can in no way lead to the liberation of women, therefore it shouldn‘t be celebrated or romanticized.

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Bikini Kill first demo tape cover

The idea of zines was born decades before the rise of the Riot Grrrl scene, but its concept went hand in hand with the movement’s ideals and quickly became a huge part of it.

Among the many zines in the scene, it’s definitely important to mention Jigsaw (made by singer Tobi Vail), and the Bikini Kill zine, in which the Riot Grrrl manifesto was published.

Zines were a form of home-made magazines-like publications, which were made by collaging and photocopying combinations of text, simple illustrations and photos. The purpose was not to profit off of them: they were often distributed for very cheap or even free as it was a way to promote self expression and activism.

ZINES

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Babes in Toyland 1991 Photography by Greg Neate

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BECAUSE we recognize fantasies of Instant Macho

BECAUSE I believe with my WHOLEHEARTMINDBODYthat girls constitute a revolutionary soul force that can, and will change the world for real.

Gun Revolution as impractical lies meant to keep us simply dreaming instead of becoming our dreams and thus seek to create

BECAUSE we want and need to encourage and be encouraged in the face of all our own insecurities, in the face of beergutboyrock that tells us we can‘t play our instruments, in the face of „authorities“ who say our bands/ zines/etc are the worst in the US.

revolution in our own lives every single day by envisioning and creating alternatives to the bullshit christian capitalist way of doing things.

BECAUSE we know that life is much more than physical survival and are patently aware that the punk rock „you can BECAUSE we‘re do anything“ idea is crucial to unwilling to falter the coming angry grrrl rock under claims revolution.

that we‘re reactionary „reverse sexists“ AND NOT THE TRUE PUNKROCKSOULCRUSADERS

WE KNOW we really are.