In the annals of punk rock, it’s often the ladies who get overlooked. Thus, I present to you, three of my all time favorite underrated “girl bands.”

Kleenex formed in Zurich, Switzerland in 1978 and changed their name to LiLiPUT around 1980, due to pressure from the Kleenex tissue peeps. They underwent a bunch of lineup changes but everything released is amazing. Kill Rock Stars put out a 2-CD Kleenex/LiLiPUT retrospective in 2001 and are said to be re-releasing it on vinyl in the near future. I highly recommend it. If you don’t believe me, check out this live footage. Sick!

Young Marble Giants are probably my favorite band ever (aside from Joy Division of course!). A short-lived, late 70s Welsh band, they are known for their “minimalism,” using primarily organ and bass. Mostly, I just love Allison Statton’s vocals. In the last couple of years they’ve reunited to play festivals like All Tomorrow’s Parties. Colossal Youth is their seminal album, and if you don’t already own it, shame on you!

Honey Bane (née Donna Tracy Boylan) started her first band Fatal Microbes at the age of 14, and was tied to everyone from Crass and Killing Joke to Sham 69. Her early 80s new wavey single “Turn Me On Turn Me Off” climbed the UK charts, but “Girl on the Run” is, in my humble opinion, her best work.

And finally, I implore you to check out Jenny Woolworth’s incredibly amazing Women in Punk blog and Women in Punk archive. Cuz you don’t have to be a dude to be punk fucking rock!