Are you wondering about the best female punk bands?
There is no doubt that punk rock has a long history of being dominated by male artists. However, there are also a number of amazing female punk bands who have been making their mark on the scene for years.
In this list, we will take a look at 25 of the best female punk bands who are shaking things up and paving the way for other women in punk music. Many of these bands have been around for decades, and continue to tour and release new music.
So without further ado, let’s get started!
- List of the Best Female Punk Bands
- 1. Blondie (Since 1974)
- 2. The Donnas (Since 1992)
- 3. X (American band) (Since 1977)
- 4. Sleater-Kinney (Since 1994)
- 5. Go Betty Go (Since 2001)
- 6. Skinny Girl Diet (Since 2011)
- 7. Pussy Riot (Since 2011)
- 8. The Regrettes (Since 2015)
- 9. Shonen Knife (Since 1981)
- 10. Nova Twins (Since 2015)
- 11. Sheer Mag (Since 2014)
- 12. Hey Violet (Since 2008)
- 13. The Featherz (Since 2011)
- 14. Brats (band) (Since 2011)
- 15. Doll Skin (Since 2013)
- 16. The Veronicas (Since 1999)
- 17. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Since 1981)
- 18. Lolita No.18 (Since 1989)
- 19. Goat Girl Since 2016)
- 20. Gore Gore Girls (Since 1997)
- 21. Wet Leg Since 2019)
- 22. PVRIS (Since 2012)
- 23. Meet Me at the Altar (Since 2015)
- 24. Gallhammer (Since 2013)
- 25. Amanda X (Since 2012)
- Conclusion: Best Female Punk Bands
- Frequently Ask Questions
List of the Best Female Punk Bands
1. Blondie (Since 1974)
Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early US punk scene and their first two albums, Blondie (1976) and Plastic Letters (1978) are considered classics of the genre.
The band’s third album, Parallel Lines (1978), was their commercial breakthrough and spawned their best-known single, “Heart of Glass”. Blondie would go on to release a total of six studio albums before disbanding in 1982. They reformed in 1997 and have released three more albums since then.
2. The Donnas (Since 1992)
The Donnas are an all-female American rock band from Palo Alto, California. The band was formed in 1992 and released their debut album, Hey! We’re the Donnas, in 1998. They have since released a total of eight studio albums and have toured extensively throughout the world. The band is best known for its high-energy live shows and catchy, hook-laden songs.
3. X (American band) (Since 1977)
This all-female punk rock band has been going strong and is best known for their song “Los Angeles.”
Formed in 1977, X was one of the first all-female punk bands. Their best-known song is “Los Angeles,” which perfectly captures the frustration and anger that many people felt towards the city at the time. While the band has gone through some lineup changes over the years, they’re still going strong and continue to release new music.
4. Sleater-Kinney (Since 1994)
Sleater-Kinney is an American rock band that formed in Olympia, Washington, in 1994. The group’s lineup features core members Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar) and Carrie Brownstein (guitar and vocals). Sleater-Kinney is best known for their radical feminist lyrics and punk aesthetic, as well as their often-intricate guitar work.
5. Go Betty Go (Since 2001)
Go Betty Go is a punk band from Los Angeles, California, United States. The group is composed of singer-songwriter Nicolette Vilar (lead vocals), guitarist Chris Kasych (lead guitar), drummer Danny Fuentes and bassist Aimee Interrupter.
6. Skinny Girl Diet (Since 2011)
Skinny Girl Diet is another popular all-female punk band. This group is from London and they have been around since 2011. They have toured with some big names in the punk scene such as The Screeching Weasels and The Interrupters.
7. Pussy Riot (Since 2011)
Pussy Riot is the best-known female punk band in the world. The Russian group is best known for their political activism and their art, which often takes the form of street performance and guerilla theatre.
8. The Regrettes (Since 2015)
The Regrettes was founded in Los Angeles by best friends Lydia Night and Genessa Gariano. The band is completed by bassist Sage Chavis, drummer Drew Thomsen, and guitarist Maxx Morando.
The group has released two albums: Feel Your Feelings Fool! in 2017 and How Do You Love? in 2019. They are currently signed to Warner Bros. Records.
The Regrettes are best known for their hook-filled pop-punk songs about teenage angst and love. Their music has been compared to that of Blondie, The Ramones, and The Go-Gos.
9. Shonen Knife (Since 1981)
Shonen Knife has been one of the best-known all-female punk bands, and their influence is still felt today. The Osaka, Japan trio’s music is often described as ” Ramones-meets-The Beach Boys,” with their catchy melodies and simple but effective lyrics.
10. Nova Twins (Since 2015)
Nova Twins are a British punk rock duo from London, England. The band members are Amy Love and Georgia Southall. They have been described as “a new breed of a punk band with a sound that’s fresh, exciting and totally unique.”
11. Sheer Mag (Since 2014)
Sheer Mag has been one of the best classic rock ‘n’ roll revival bands around. With a sound that hearkens back to the days of Cheap Trick and Joan Jett, they’ve managed to tap into something special. Frontwoman Tina Halladay has one of the best voices in music today, and she knows how to use it.
12. Hey Violet (Since 2008)
Hey Violet has been through a lot of lineup changes, but they’ve always had one constant: incredible female frontwoman Rena Lovelis. The band first made waves with their 2013 single “This Is Why” and has continued to grow their fanbase with every release since. Hey, Violet is the perfect blend of punk and pop, and their catchy hooks will stay stuck in your head for days.
13. The Featherz (Since 2011)
The Featherz have been punking out of London, and they’ve become one of the best female punk bands in recent years. They’ve got the perfect mix of catchy hooks and anthemic choruses, with just enough grit to keep things interesting.
14. Brats (band) (Since 2011)
Brats band is a punk rock band from South Korea. The members are Kim Mi-yeon, Park Hye-jin, and Lee Ji-won. They released their first EP in 2012 and their first full-length album in 2013.
15. Doll Skin (Since 2013)
Doll Skin has been a punk rock mainstay. The all-female quartet has toured with the likes of Megadeth, Alice Cooper, and GWAR. They’ve also graced the stage at Warped Tour, one of punk’s most iconic festivals. In 2017, they released their debut album Manic Pixie Dream Girl to critical acclaim.
16. The Veronicas (Since 1999)
The Veronicas are an Australian punk rock duo. They are best known for their song “Untouched”, which was a top ten hit in several countries.
The Veronicas were formed in 1999 by twin sisters Lisa and Jessica Origliasso. They began their career as child actresses on the Australian soap opera Home and Away.
17. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Since 1981)
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are an American rock band led by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joan Jett. The best-known lineup of the band included Jett, drummer Thommy Price, lead guitarist Ricky Byrd, and bassist Kasim Sulton.
The band’s first album, Bad Reputation (1981), was a success due to the strength of its lead single “Bad Reputation”. The band’s second album, I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (1982), became a global bestseller thanks to its title track, which topped the charts in several countries.
18. Lolita No.18 (Since 1989)
Lolita No.18 is a Japanese punk band formed in 1989 by two high school students, bassist Maki and drummer Rika. The band’s name comes from Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita.
19. Goat Girl Since 2016)
Goat Girl is a four-piece band from London, England. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Clottie Cream, bassist Rosy Bones, drummer L.E.D, and guitarist Ellie Rose. They have released two studio albums, Goat Girl (2018) and On All Fours (2021).
20. Gore Gore Girls (Since 1997)
Gore Gore Girlscans best be described as garage punk, with a sound that is both vintage and new. The band allows the talents of singer/songwriter/guitarist Amy Gore and drummer/vocalist Adrianne Verhoeven.
21. Wet Leg Since 2019)
Wet Leg is a punk band from Brooklyn, New York. The band is made up of four women: Lila Ramani (vocals/guitar), Daisy Spencer (drums), Cleo Tucker (guitar), and Cameron Wisch (bass). Wet Leg’s sound has been described as “a mix of ’60s garage rock and ’90s grunge.”
22. PVRIS (Since 2012)
PVRIS is an American rock band from Lowell, Massachusetts, formed by members Lynn Gunn, Alex Babinski, and Brian Macdonald. The band released their debut album, White Noise, in 2014. In 2016, they released their second album, All We Know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell. The band’s name comes from the French word for “purple”.
23. Meet Me at the Altar (Since 2015)
Meet Me at the Altar is an all-female punk band from Long Island, New York. The members are best friends who bonded over their shared love of punk rock music. They have released two EPs, both of which are available for streaming on Spotify.
24. Gallhammer (Since 2013)
Gallhammer is a Japanese noise-punk band that formed in Tokyo. The band is composed of singer and guitarist Vivian Slaughter, bassist and keyboardist Mirai Kawashima, and drummer Risa Reaper. Gallhammer’s music is characterized by its heavy, slow sound and Slaughter’s growled vocals.
25. Amanda X (Since 2012)
Amanda X is a punk rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band consists of guitarist and lead singer Amanda Kleinman, drummer Nicky Coyle, and bassist Caryn Havlik. They have released two albums, an EP, and a split single with Male Gaze.
Conclusion: Best Female Punk Bands
These are 25 of the best female punk bands that you need to know about. These bands represent the best of what punk rock has to offer, with hard-hitting riffs, catchy hooks, and powerful lyrics.
From Joan Jett to PVRIS, these bands prove that punk rock is alive and well and that women can rock just as hard as any man. So next time you’re looking for a punk fix, be sure to check out one of these amazing bands.
Do you have a favorite female punk band? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to check out our other lists of the best punk bands of all time.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: Who is the first all girl punk band?
A: The first all-female punk band was The Slits, who formed in 1976.
Q: What is the most successful punk band?
A: The most successful punk band is Green Day, which has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Q: What are some good female punk bands?
A: Some good female punk bands include Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The Runaways, and Sleater-Kinney.
Q: What are punk girls like?
A: Punk girls are usually independent, strong-minded, and passionate about their beliefs. They’re also usually very stylish, with dyed hair, piercings, and tattoos.
Q: How do you get a punk attitude?
A: You can get a punk attitude by being yourself and not caring what others think of you. Be confident, be loud, and stand up for what you believe in. You can also listen to punk music and dress the part.
That’s all! You can also check out 21 Metal Bands With Female Singers That You Need to Know and 25+ of the Best Bass Heavy Songs to Rock Out To.
