After my tape deck crapped out in 1997, I was stuck listening to either the radio or full albums in whatever order the artist intended. That all changed in 2001, when the new-fangled MP3 technology got combined with my new CD burner.
In addition to the occasional series of CDs I had burned in order to keep abreast of new music, I had created a bunch of genre-specific mixes that could be used both in the car and at the gym. This week we will take a look at the first disc covering the world of alternative music created by females, or at least female fronted bands. The 1990s were a great time for alternative music on the radio, especially that created by women. As the decade came to an end, so did the welcoming arms of radio, as the trends moved towards nu-metal and its ilk. So, without further ado, I bring you Female Alt Rock, volume 1.
Belly – Feed The Tree
The song ranked #24 on VH1’s 40 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 90s, much to the chagrin of their follow-up single Gepetto.
iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 9/7/2011
Republica – Ready To Go
4 different versions of this song were released and charted in the UK from 1996 to 2010.
iTunes stats: 9 plays, most recently on 4/1/2013
Garbage – #1 Crush
Originally the B-side to the Vow single, the song was re-mixed for the William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet soundtrack and spent 4 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.
iTunes stats: 3 plays, most recently on 8/15/2011
Goops – Build Me Up Buttercup
After being featured on the soundtrack to Mallrats, the video features Jay and Silent Bob.
iTunes stats: 16 plays, most recently on 7/30/2012
Frente! – Labour Of Love
The Australian alt-folk group peaked at #9 on the Modern Rock charts with their second, and final, US hit.
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 4/20/2012
10,000 Maniacs – Because The Night
This cover of the Patti Smith hit from the groups MTV Unplugged appearance gave them their first Top 40 hit, reaching #11.
iTunes stats: 15 plays, most recently on 3/26/2013
K’s Choice – Not An Addict
The third single from the Belgian band’s second album.
iTunes stats: 11 plays, most recently on 3/31/2012
Garbage – Alien Sex Fiend
This song was the B-side to Stupid Girl.
iTunes stats: Never played
Veruca Salt – My Sharona
This cover of The Knacks greatest hit was the B-side to the Victrola single.
iTunes stats: 10 plays, most recently on 9/23/2012