As a feminist from the South, Jack Off Jill will always occupy a special corner of my heart. Technically, the band broke-up fifteen years ago, a rather tumultuous ordeal at the time. So imagine my surprise when I was handed a slim, pink copy of After Grrrl last week – the first issue of Jack Off Jill’s rebooted fan zine, last seen circa 2002.
Back in April, a certain reputable feminist site (*cough* okay, it was Bust.com, shout out to us!) announced a one-night-only Jack Off Jill reunion show in Asheville, NC – an unexpected, wildly exciting return after a decade of radio silence. But that one show has since spawned a UK tour, so yeah, it’s safe to say Jack Off Jill is *BACK, BUSTies. I mean, first Sleater-Kinney, now this??!?? The dreams of the 90s really are alive, and so is the raging spirit of underground feminist hardcore punk.
*That said, they still haven’t decided whether to do another album. But maybe we can persuade them, with the force of our love?
For the unlucky Americans who can’t catch a show, though, After Grrrl is the perfect antidote. Between these pages, you’ll find a collection of “small stories from big lives” – or, in other words, mini-essays hailing from all corners of Jack Off Jill’s community including some of the great feminist badasses of our time…
SUCH AS:
– Kelly Osbourne on finding an unlikely friend at the Shiteau Marmont, where vapid It Kids go to eat pasta and fill their social inadequacies
– Jessica Veronica of The Veronicas on how she went from resenting Jesus to embracing her spirituality
– Entertainer Chantal Claret on sexism in the music industry and why she never talks about feminism (because she “lives it,” mmkay?)
– Writer/editor Carrie Jo Tucker on cutting and the importance of treating yourself kindly (“because sometimes, you’re the only one who will”)
– Hairroin Salon owner Janine Jarman on telling the naysayers to shut the fuck up and why you can’t let anyone talk you out of doing something awesome
– Webcam princess Molly Soda on astrology and how it helps her make sense of the world
– An open letter to Luscious Jackson from artist/bassist Lindsey Way (and why they cursed her for seven years)
– JOJ lead singer Jessicka Addams on southern grrrl sisterhood and making sick music for riot goth children of the night
– JOJ bassist Helen Storer on cool, sexy 90s feminism and why she’s glad it’s coming back for all the Grrrls of today
– JOJ guitarist Michelle Inhell Oliver on finding out she was born naturally left handed, which explains her terrible handwriting…
– JOJ drummer Tenni A Cha Cha on being a stubborn punk ass from Queens with a makeshift drumset made of cardboard boxes
– YOU. Seriously, you. Like you the reader. Near the back of the issue, After Grrrl reserves an entire blank page for readers to pen their own story. Or write a poem. Or doodle something! As the zine explains, “After Grrl is for everyone” so “grab a pen, pencil, crayon,” or “quill dipped in blood” and go wilddddddddddd.
Get your copy of After Grrrl here. And if you want a little more Grrrl power in your life, or should you decide to submit your own small story, hit up After Grrrl’s tumblr.
Credits: Cover art and concept by Mark Ryden and Jessicka Addams. Edited by Carrie Jo Tucker, FLOOD Magazine editor.
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