Bratmobile

These pioneering riot grrrls have been one of indie rock's most consistently kicky bands over the past decade or so, committed to toughing it out in a world grown increasingly hostile to both unruly women and low-budget rock bands. But for all their political smarts, their records are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. The main reason is guitarist Erin Smith, who whips out the surfy, rock-lobster trash riffs that make the music go bang. Molly Neuman hits the drums, while wiseacre Allison Wolfe takes care of business on the mike, even when she's just chant-ing "Girl germs, girl germs/Can't hide out -- they're everywhere."

Bratmobile first revved up in the early '90s with stray singles and compilation tracks, including "Girl Germs" (on the 1991 Kill Rock Stars compilation), "Cool Schmool" (a 1991 split single with Sleater-Kinney bassist Corin Tucker's original band, Heav-ens to Betsy), and the great 1992 7-inch "Kiss and Ride"/"Queenie." Its long-awaited debut, Pottymouth, appeared in 1993, remaking some of these songs and adding others, including "Panik," "Bitch Theme," and a gender-pretzeled cover of Joan Jett's "Cherry Bomb." The Real Janelle is their most dynamic, fullest-sounding album, with the sad ballad "And I Live in a Town Where the Boys Amputate Their Hearts."

Bratmobile broke up for a while, with Neuman joining the Frumpies and the Peechees while Wolfe and Smith formed Cold Cold Hearts. Though these bands were decent, it was happy news when the festive ladies reunited for Ladies, Women, and Girls and Girls Get Busy. The Brat spirit was fully intact in raveups like "I'm in the Band," "Gimmie Brains," and "Cheap Trick Record." The band's live shows were better than ever, too -- proof positive that the punk rockers who can tackle adulthood tend to be the ones who learn to dance. (ROB SHEFFIELD)

From 2004's The New Rolling Stone Album Guide