Bratmobile

A couple of the smartest tunes on Bratmobile's third full-length, Girls Get Busy, lambaste George Dubya's war on terrorism and his campaign to sway the public. On "Shop for America," singer Allison Wolfe proffers the peppy ironic anthem "Kids in America shop for America," while on "United We Don't" she...

By Sam Prestianni

July 11, 2002

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18855504",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17105533",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105532",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18349797",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17105535",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

A couple of the smartest tunes on Bratmobile's third full-length, Girls Get Busy, lambaste George Dubya's war on terrorism and his campaign to sway the public. On "Shop for America," singer Allison Wolfe proffers the peppy ironic anthem "Kids in America shop for America," while on "United We Don't" she roars with characteristic candor, "We won't fly your flag/For the rights we never had/We don't buy all your lies." Though lacking the aggressive wit of punk rabble-rousers like the Dead Kennedys, the trio's message is just as sincere: Activist attitude matters.

Pioneers in the riot grrrl movement of the early '90s, the Brats broke up in 1994, then got back together for a one-off show in 1999. Realizing what they'd been missing, the warrior women re-formed the group and recorded 2000's Ladies, Women, and Girls for Lookout! Records (which is co-owned by the band's drummer, Molly Neuman). On Girls Get Busy, Bratmobile retains its fiery spirit, tackling gender and identity politics as well as Bush's war. On "Are You a Lady?" Wolfe shouts, "Are you a lady? Are you a girl?/Tell me who taught you how to behave/Everything proper and shopping in place." Pitting insurgent lyrics against pared-down, pop-punk grooves, the band's bouncy tunes draw from both the Go-Go's and the Ramones. Along with the thick organ fills of guest Audrey Marrs (ex-Mocket), Erin Smith's riffs and Neuman's beats underscore the exigency of Wolfe's words, which ultimately promote a do-it-yourself, agitprop agenda.

KEEP THE OBSERVER FREE... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.