War on Women (band)

War On Women is a hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2010. The political, feminist themes in their music include abortion rights, rape and misogyny.[1]

War On Women
The band is performing live on stage as the singer points towards the camera.
Background information
OriginBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Genres
Years active2010–present
Labels
Members
  • Shawna Potter
  • Brooks Harlan
  • Jennifer Vito
  • Suzanne Werner
  • Dave Cavalier
Past members
  • Nancy Hornburg
  • Evan Tanner
  • Rusty Haynie
  • Ben Jones
Websitewww.waronwomen.bandcamp.com

History

In 2003, Brooks Harlan recruited Shawna Potter to sing and play guitar for AVEC, an indie-rock band that was based in Baltimore.[2] Seeing Courtney Love playing guitar in "Doll Parts" inspired Potter to play music.[3]

In 2010 Potter and Harlan formed War On Women, a band “inspired by the riot grrrl bands [Potter] adored as a teenager.”[2]

War On Women released their debut album, a six-song EP titled Improvised Weapons, in 2012 on Exotic Fever Records.[4]

In 2015 the band released their first full-length album, the self-titled War On Women, on Bridge Nine Records. The album was recorded, mixed and produced in collaboration with J. Robbins of the band Jawbox.[5]

Their second and third full-length albums were also released under by Bridge Nine Records. The second album, Capture the Flag, was again recorded with J. Robbins and released in 2018.[5] The third album, Wonderful Hell, was released in 2020.[5] Guitarist, Harlan, has acknowledged influences of "Fugazi, Bad Brains, At the Drive-In, Metallica, and Slayer...", as well as less obvious influences such as Suzanne Vega, Nomeansno, Ben Folds Five, and Pat Metheny.[6]

In August 2021 Robbins’ band Jawbox announced that Harlan had joined the band, replacing guitarist Bill Barbot.[7]

In January 2022, ex-guitarist Nancy Hornburg accused member Brooks Harlan of "controlling and emotionally abusive behavior" during her time with the band,[8] and alleged frontwoman Shawna Potter had been dishonest about the band's financial matters, including royalties.[9] The band issued a response sharing their perspective of these events, disavowing the accusations and indicating Hornburg as having "repeated instances of lateness, inability to play, and overall inconsistent behavior."[10]

In the summer of 2022, the band returned to the UK and Europe for a month long tour.[11]

Discography
  • Improvised Weapons (2012, Exotic Fever Records)[4]
  • War On Women (2015, Bridge Nine Records)
  • Capture the Flag (2018, Bridge Nine Records)
  • Wonderful Hell (2020, Bridge Nine Records)[12]

References
  1. EDT, Lucy Westcott On 10/20/16 at 1:21 PM (October 20, 2016). "War on Women fuses feminism and hardcore punk". Newsweek.
  2. "War On Women: Pissed-Off Feminist Punk Band Aims for "Lasting Impact"". Revolver. June 4, 2018.
  3. Coscarelli, Joe (September 1, 2017). "Rock's Not Dead, It's Ruled by Women: The Round-Table Conversation". The New York Times.
  4. "Improvised Weapons, by War On Women". War On Women.
  5. "War On Women". Bridge Nine Records.
  6. "War On Women's Brooks Harlan discusses the music that influenced 'Wonderfull Hell'". brooklynvegan.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-23. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  7. "Jawbox Facebook Harlan Announcement". Facebook. August 10, 2021.
  8. "News - Und Sonst So" [News - Other]. Ox-Fanzine (in German). Solingen: Ox Verlag. February 2022. p. 5.
  9. "Ex-WAR ON WOMEN Guitarist Nancy Hornburg Speaks out Against Band". lambgoat.com. Archived from the original on 2022-01-14. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  10. "Former War on Women guitarist accuses band of mental abuse, band denies". punknews.org. Archived from the original on 2022-01-17. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  11. "War On Women Summer 2022 European Tour Dates". bridge9.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-23. Retrieved 2022-07-23.
  12. "War On Women "Wonderful Hell" - Bridge Nine Records". bridge9.com.
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