Rebel Grrrls: The Real Story of Women and Punk

"A fierce and ambitious feminist history ... it adds up to a powerful reclamation of women's vital place within punk, both onstage and in the pit"--Publishers Weekly

The unfiltered story of women in the punk scene--celebrating the highs, confronting the lows, and proving the power of community.

From the gritty streets of 1970s London to the sun-soaked beaches of 2000s California, Rebel Grrrls: The Real Story of Women and Punk is a raw and exhilarating exploration of rebellion and identity, seen through the eyes of its fans. This book goes beyond the musicians, spotlighting the women who defied small-town limitations, challenged family expectations and shaped the scene from the inside out.

Molly Tie examines what the movement has meant to millions of fans, setting their experiences within a wider cultural and political landscape. What is it like to be a woman at a gig? Which bands and songs truly reflect the female experience in a male-dominated space? And how does our connection to alternative music change when powerful figures face allegations of abuse?

Spanning every era from the British explosion and American hardcore to riot grrrl, pop-punk, emo, ska and today's activist revival, Tie reveals how women in the movement have fought to be heard, proving that, at its best, punk is about refusing to stay silent.

Molly Tie is a music journalist and lifelong punk fan from Portsmouth, UK. With over 15 years of feminist campaigning and public speaking on social and political topics, she brings a unique perspective to Rebel Grrrls, blending her expertise in women's social history and punk music. Tie has written extensively on punk and women's roles in music for publications like The Punk Lounge, Vive Le Rock, and Loud Women, where her "musical herstory" series gained acclaim. As UK editor of Punktuation! from 2022 to 2024, she shaped the discourse around the movement's legacy.

Beyond music, Tie has worked for 15+ years in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector, specialising in domestic abuse, sexual violence, and child protection training.