A female punk playlist in celebration of Viv Albertine
- Text by Robin Nierynck
- Photography by Jackie Dewe Mathews
In Huck 49 – The Survival Issue, we talked to Viv Albertine about her days in punk band The Slits, the grounds for female rebellion, and the ways she is standing up for young women today.
The 70s saw a wave of radical female figures breaking with the narrow opportunities laid down for them to throw themselves into the punk scene and smash down barriers for future generations. At a time when very few women even drove, abandoning all social convention and going wild on stage (and beyond) was not a small step to take.
This playlist is a collection of the best and most radical frontwomen of the Seventies’ punk scene.
Viv Albertine – The Slits
Poly Styrene – X-Ray Spex
Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, otherwise known as Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex was an archetypal punk feminist. Their single “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” says it all, really.
Siouxsie Sioux, Siouxsie and the Banshees
Formed in London in 1976, Siouxsie and the Banshees was headed by lead vocalist Siouxsie Sioux, who went on to define the post-punk era with albums such as The Scream and Kaleidoscope.
Debbie Harry, Blondie
Known and loved by many, Debbie Harry, remains a popular punk icon and pioneer of female rebellion, confirming the lasting influence of the 70s’ punk movement.
Patti Smith
Pioneer of New York City’s punk rock movement, Patti Smith’s first album Horses has been lauded as one of the greatest albums in music history, and she is still at the forefront of the music and art scene today.
Chrissie Hynde, The Pretenders
Lead singer of rock band The Pretenders, Chrisse Hynde assembled the band and was the only member to stay constant throughout its drug-fuelled history.
Joan Jett, The Runaways
Another household name in punk, Joan Jett was one of the founding members of the Runaways and continued on to lead Joan Jett & the Blackhearts; the rest is history.
Buy The Survival Issue in the Huck Shop now or subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss another issue.
You might like
American Football: The One With The Feelings
Many moons — The Midwest emo architects transformed a college experiment into a coming-of-age soundtrack. 25 years on, their latest iteration sees them bottle the same magic for the ups and downs of middle life.
Written by: Tracy Kawalik
Tender portraits of women serving life sentences in America
Looking Inside — While working as a public defender attorney in New York State, Sara Bennett found dilapidated prisons and forgotten people. Her new photobook harnesses the power of images and shines a humanising light on those imprisoned for serious crimes and their reintegration into society, while asking questions of the USA’s incarceration system.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Burning rubber with the Middle East’s women rally racers
Ripping dirt — Across the Middle East and North Africa, women are increasingly chasing the thrill of speed, competition and freedom that comes with driving on gruelling terrain, as well as podium positions. Roxana Diba speaks to trailblazers of the scene, who are reshaping ideas of what women are capable of behind the wheel.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Joe James: “I will never be absent in my children’s lives because I know it doesn’t feel nice”
Hard Feelings — As the silky MC prepares to release his debut album ‘The Ends Never Ends’, he joins our column on fatherhood and masculinity to discuss leaving his childhood home at 16, the manosphere and his risk-embracing approach to life.
Written by: Robert Kazandjian
Analogue Appreciation: mary in the junkyard
Role Model Hermit — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s art rock fabulists mary in the junkyard.
Written by: mary in the junkyard
New exhibition spotlights the ongoing impact of Japanese Women Photographers
1950s to Now — Taking place at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, it showcases work by 27 artists from the past seven decades including Mikiko Hara, Yurie Nagashima and Mao Ishikawa.
Written by: Isaac Muk
