Allison Wolfe (born November 9, 1969) is a

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world ...

-based singer, songwriter, writer, and podcaster. As a founding member and

lead singer The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of the ...

of the punk rock band

Bratmobile Bratmobile was an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, active from 1991 to 2003, and known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, ...

, she became one of the leading voices of the

riot grrl Riot grrrl is an underground feminist punk movement that began during the early 1990s within the United States in Olympia, Washington and the greater Pacific Northwest and has expanded to at least 26 other countries. Riot grrrl is a subcultu ...

movement. Wolfe has also fronted other bands, including

Sex Stains Sex Stains was an American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 2014 by Allison Wolfe, alongside David Orlando, Sharif Dumani, Francisco "Pachy" Garcia, and Mecca Vazie Andrews. Wolfe was a former member of Bratmobile and other bands; Orlan ...

Partyline Partyline is an American, Washington, D.C.-based punk rock band, consisting of singer/songwriter Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Cold Cold Hearts, Dig Yr. Grave, Deep Lust, Hawnay Troof, etc.), guitarist Angela Melkisethian (The Hell Mutts, Hot ...

, and

Cold Cold Hearts Cold Cold Hearts was a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Comprising singer and songwriter Allison Wolfe, guitarist and back-up vocalist Erin Smith, bass player Nattles, and drummer Katherine Brown, the band released one 7" sing ...

. She was one of the principal creators of the original Ladyfest music festival in 2000. She has more recently been the creator and host of the punk rock interview podcast ''I'm In The Band''.

Background

Allison Wolfe and her sister Cindy were born identical twins in

Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the seat of Shelby County in the southwest part of the state; it is situated along the Mississippi River. With a population of 633,104 at the 2020 U.S. census, Memphis is the second-mo ...

, on November 9, 1969. Together with their sister Molly, they grew up in

Olympia, Washington Olympia is the capital of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat and largest city of Thurston County. It is southwest of the state's most populous city, Seattle, and is a cultural center of the southern Puget Sound region. Europea ...

. Their parents divorced when they were all still young children, and they were raised by their mother, Pat Shively. A radical feminist and self-described lesbian, Shively founded Olympia's Eastside Women's Health Clinic in 1981. It was the first women's clinic in Thurston County, and throughout Shively's two decades of work it was the target of relentless anti-abortion demonstrations. The protests could be harrowing: Wolfe's mother endured verbal and physical abuse, and death threats forced her to go to the clinic armed and wearing a bulletproof vest. (The EWHC was razed in a fire in 2005, set by a still-unidentified arsonist.) Pat Shively died of ovarian cancer in February, 2000, and Wolfe credits her as being a lifelong influence, a feminist role model "almost too big to live up to." In 1988, Wolfe spent time as an exchange student in

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

Krathum Baen District Krathum Baen (, ) is a district (''amphoe'') in the northern part of Samut Sakhon province, central Thailand. History Krathum Baen was a part of Mueang Samut Sakhon district. It was created in 1900. In 1926 the government added Tambons Tha Mai ...

. She returned to attend

Evergreen State College The Evergreen State College is a public liberal arts college in Olympia, Washington. Founded in 1967, it offers a non-traditional undergraduate curriculum in which students have the option to design their own study towards a degree or follow a p ...

in Olympia, and later the

University of Oregon The University of Oregon (UO, U of O or Oregon) is a public research university in Eugene, Oregon. Founded in 1876, the institution is well known for its strong ties to the sports apparel and marketing firm Nike, Inc Nike, Inc. ( or ) is a ...

at Eugene.

Music career

Bratmobile

Wolfe and

Molly Neuman Molly Neuman (born June 18, 1972) is an American drummer, writer and publisher, originally from the Washington, D.C. area who has performed in such influential bands as Bratmobile, the Frumpies, and the PeeChees. She was a pioneer of the early- ...

wrote about rock music's pervasive sexism in their influential

punkzine A punk zine (or punkzine) is a zine related to the punk subculture and hardcore punk music genre. Often primitively or casually produced, they feature punk literature, such as social commentary, punk poetry, news, gossip, music reviews and artic ...

s, ''Girl Germs'' and ''Riot Grrrl''. They took those themes to music when they joined with Washington, DC guitarist Erin Smith to form their own band,

, in 1991. Bratmobile performed at the

International Pop Underground Convention The International Pop Underground Convention (or IPU) was a 1991 punk and alternative rock music festival in Olympia, Washington. The six-day convention centered on a series of performances at the Capitol Theater. Throughout August 20–25, ...

in August 1991.

Maura Johnston Maura K. Johnston (born May 28, 1975) is a writer, editor and music critic. A member of Boston College's journalism faculty, she has written for ''Rolling Stone'', ''The Boston Globe'', ''Pitchfork'', ''The Awl'', ''The New York Times'', ''Spin' ...

later wrote in ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' that Wolfe's distinctive "disaffected drawl" became "one of the most prominent voices of the early-Nineties riot grrrl movement". Bratmobile recorded for

Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally kn ...

, an Olympia-based

independent label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

, and released their first full-length album, '' Pottymouth'', in 1992. The band ended in a rancorous onstage breakup in New York City in 1994.

Cold Cold Hearts

Wolfe and Smith eventually reunited to form

with an expanded rhythm section provided by drummer Katherine Brown and bassist Natalie Mencinsky ("Nattles"). The band toured extensively and released one self-titled album in 1997.

Deep Lust

Wolfe later sang with Deep Lust, her first band with male musicians which she lightheartedly describes as "my

boy band A boy band is loosely defined as a vocal group consisting of young male singers, usually in their teenage years or in their twenties at the time of formation. Generally, boy bands perform love songs marketed towards girls and young women. Ma ...

". Deep Lust formed in early 1999; they toured and released one self-titled album on Kill Rock Stars in February 2000.

Bratmobile reunion

Bratmobile reformed in 1999 and went on tour with

Sleater Kinney Sleater-Kinney ( ) is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The band's current lineup features Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar) and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals), following the departure of longtime member J ...

. The reunited band released two more albums, '' Ladies, Women and Girls'' (2000) and '' Girls Get Busy'' (2002).

Partyline

Wolfe started a Washington D.C. based band,

, in 2004. The band released two full-length albums, '' Girls With Glasses'' (2005) and ''

Zombie Terrorist ''Zombie Terrorist'' is the first full-length album by Partyline, released on October 24, 2006 on Retard Disco. Track listing #"Party-n-Animal" – 1:30 #"Zombie Terrorist" – 1:44 #"Casual Encounters" – 1:20 #"Trophy Wifey"&nb ...

'' (2006).

Sex Stains

formed in Los Angeles in 2014. The five-person group was the largest outfit Wolfe had worked with yet, and the first in which she had a companion vocalist, Mecca Vazie Andrews. The band released their eponymous debut album on

Don Giovanni Records Don Giovanni Records is an independent record label originally specializing in punk rock from the New Brunswick, New Jersey music scene but eventually working with a variety of artists from different genres. History Don Giovanni Records was fo ...

in 2016. After some personnel changes in 2017, the group was recast as Ex Stains, which performed shows with Wolfe on lead vocals until disbanding in mid-2018.

Other musical groups

Wolfe has also performed and recorded with various other bands including Alice Bag, Cool Moms, Dig Yr Grave,

Hawnay Troof Hawnay Troof is an American electronic indie band formed in late 2001. Despite of the band's American punk and electronic background, many elements of pop, dance-punk, electronica, soul, noise music and club. have been incorporated into it ...

and its offshoot, Baby Truth.

Other works

Wolfe was one of the primary architects behind the original Ladyfest music festival in Olympia, Washington, in 2000. In later years, Ladyfest festivals have taken place throughout the world and Wolfe has appeared at many of them. Wolfe holds a master's degree in

arts journalism The arts are a very wide range of human practices of creative expression, storytelling and cultural participation. They encompass multiple diverse and plural modes of thinking, doing and being, in an extremely broad range of media. Both ...

from the

University of Southern California , mottoeng = "Let whoever earns the palm bear it" , religious_affiliation = Nonsectarian—historically Methodist , established = , accreditation = WSCUC , type = Private research university , academic_affiliations = , endowment = $8.1 ...

. In the 2000s she worked for ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'' (also known as the ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'') is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large n ...

', and edited the punk rock-themed

manga Manga ( Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is ...

series '' Nana'', refashioning its basic English translation into modern vernacular. Since 2017 she has hosted ''I'm In The Band'', a podcast on Tidal in which she interviews artists from the punk and indie rock scenes.

With
Bratmobile Bratmobile was an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, active from 1991 to 2003, and known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, ...

Studio albums

* '' Pottymouth'' (1993) LP/CD/CS (Kill Rock Stars) * '' Ladies, Women and Girls'' (2000) CD/LP, (

Lookout! Records Lookout Records (stylized as Lookout! Records) was an independent record label, initially based in Laytonville, California and later in Berkeley, California, Berkeley, focusing on punk rock. Established in 1987, the label is best known for having ...

) * '' Girls Get Busy'' (2002) CD/LP (Lookout! Records)

EPs

* ''

The Real Janelle ''The Real Janelle'' is an EP by Bratmobile, released in 1994. It would become Bratmobile's last studio recording in six years. Though released before '' The Peel Session'', that was recorded a year prior. The title "The Real Janelle" was insp ...

'' (1994) LPEP/CDEP (Kill Rock Stars)

Live albums

* '' The Peel Session'' CDEP (Strange Fruit)

Singles

* ''Kiss & Ride'' 7-inch (

Homestead Records Homestead Records was a Long Island, New York-based sublabel of music distributor Dutch East India Trading that operated from 1983 to 1996. The label was known for not paying its artists and not spending any money on promotion. History The l ...

)

Split 7-inch

Tiger Trap Tiger trap may refer to: *Trou de loup In medieval fortification, a trou de loup (French for "wolf hole"; plural trous de loup, also commonly referred to as a tiger pit in the East) was a type of booby trap or defensive obstacle. Each trou de l ...

/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (4-Letter Words) *

Heavens to Betsy Heavens to Betsy was an American punk band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1991 with vocalist and guitarist Corin Tucker and drummer Tracy Sawyer. The duo were part of the DIY riot grrrl, punk rock underground, and were Tucker's first band befo ...

/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (

K Records K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington founded in 1982. Artists on the label included early releases by Beck, Modest Mouse and Built to Spill. The record label has been called "key to the development of independent music ...

) * Brainiac/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (12X12) * Veronica Lake/ Bratmobile split 7-inch (

Simple Machines A simple machine is a mechanical device that changes the direction or magnitude of a force. In general, they can be defined as the simplest mechanisms that use mechanical advantage (also called leverage) to multiply force. Usually the term ref ...

)

Compilation appearances

* ''Kill Rock Stars'' compilation, CD/LP, (

) * ''A Wonderful Treat'' compilation cassette * ''The Embassy Tapes'' cassette * ''Throw'' compilation CD (Yoyo Recordings) * ''International Pop Underground'' live LP/CD/CS (K Records) * Neapolitan Metropolitan boxed 7-inch set (

) * ''Teen Beat 100'' compilation 7-inch (

Teen Beat ''Teen Beat'' is an American magazine geared towards teenaged readers, published from 1967–c. 2007. Over its history, the magazine had multiple teen idols on its cover, including John Travolta, David Cassidy, Leif Garrett, Menudo, Michael J ...

) * ''Julep'' compilation LP/CD (Yo Yo) * ''Wakefield Vol. 2'' V/A CD boxed set (Teen Beat) * ''Plea For Peace Take Action'' compilation CD (Sub City) * ''Boys Lie'' compilation CD (Lookout! Records) * ''Yo Yo A Go Go 1999'' compilation CD (Yoyo Recordings) * ''Lookout! Freakout Episode 2'' compilation CD (Lookout! Records) * ''Songs For Cassavetes'' compilation CD (Better Looking Records) * ''Lookout! Freakout Episode 3'' CD (Lookout! Records) * ''Turn-On Tune-In Lookout!'' DVD (Lookout! Records)

With
Cold Cold Hearts Cold Cold Hearts was a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Comprising singer and songwriter Allison Wolfe, guitarist and back-up vocalist Erin Smith, bass player Nattles, and drummer Katherine Brown, the band released one 7" sing ...

Studio albums

*''

'' (1997)

Singles

*'' Yer So Sweet (Baby Donut)'' (1996)

With
Partyline Partyline is an American, Washington, D.C.-based punk rock band, consisting of singer/songwriter Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Cold Cold Hearts, Dig Yr. Grave, Deep Lust, Hawnay Troof, etc.), guitarist Angela Melkisethian (The Hell Mutts, Hot ...

*''Girls With Glasses'' 5-song demo CDR August 2004 *'' Girls With Glasses'' 6-song debut CDEP (Retard Disco) June 2005 *Spider and the Webs/Partyline split 7-inch (Local Kid) October 2005 *''

'' debut full-length CD (Retard Disco) October 24, 2006 *''Bad For The Baby'' 7-inch (Moonflower Records) November, 2009

With
Sex Stains Sex Stains was an American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 2014 by Allison Wolfe, alongside David Orlando, Sharif Dumani, Francisco "Pachy" Garcia, and Mecca Vazie Andrews. Wolfe was a former member of Bratmobile and other bands; Orlan ...

Studio albums

*''

'' (2016) CD/LP (

)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wolfe, Allison 1969 births American women singers American feminists Women punk rock singers Identical twins Kill Rock Stars American lesbian musicians Riot grrrl musicians Living people Feminist musicians American twins Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee LGBT people from Tennessee Bratmobile members University of Southern California alumni People from Olympia, Washington 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people 21st-century American women Women in punk

Background

Music career

Bratmobile

Cold Cold Hearts

Deep Lust

Bratmobile reunion

Partyline

Sex Stains

Other musical groups

Other works

With Bratmobile Bratmobile was an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, active from 1991 to 2003, and known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, ...

Studio albums

EPs

Live albums

Singles

Split 7-inch

Compilation appearances

With Cold Cold Hearts Cold Cold Hearts was a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Comprising singer and songwriter Allison Wolfe, guitarist and back-up vocalist Erin Smith, bass player Nattles, and drummer Katherine Brown, the band released one 7" sing ...

Studio albums

Singles

With Partyline Partyline is an American, Washington, D.C.-based punk rock band, consisting of singer/songwriter Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Cold Cold Hearts, Dig Yr. Grave, Deep Lust, Hawnay Troof, etc.), guitarist Angela Melkisethian (The Hell Mutts, Hot ...

With Sex Stains Sex Stains was an American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 2014 by Allison Wolfe, alongside David Orlando, Sharif Dumani, Francisco "Pachy" Garcia, and Mecca Vazie Andrews. Wolfe was a former member of Bratmobile and other bands; Orlan ...

Studio albums

References

External links

With
Bratmobile Bratmobile was an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, active from 1991 to 2003, and known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, ...

With
Cold Cold Hearts Cold Cold Hearts was a punk rock band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1995. Comprising singer and songwriter Allison Wolfe, guitarist and back-up vocalist Erin Smith, bass player Nattles, and drummer Katherine Brown, the band released one 7" sing ...

With
Partyline Partyline is an American, Washington, D.C.-based punk rock band, consisting of singer/songwriter Allison Wolfe (Bratmobile, Cold Cold Hearts, Dig Yr. Grave, Deep Lust, Hawnay Troof, etc.), guitarist Angela Melkisethian (The Hell Mutts, Hot ...

With
Sex Stains Sex Stains was an American punk rock band from Los Angeles formed in 2014 by Allison Wolfe, alongside David Orlando, Sharif Dumani, Francisco "Pachy" Garcia, and Mecca Vazie Andrews. Wolfe was a former member of Bratmobile and other bands; Orlan ...