Rebel Grrrls : The Real Story of Women and Punk from the 1970s to Today

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 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? How did artists like Poly Styrene, Siouxsie Sioux, and The Slits redefine punk’s possibilities? 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.