The 1990s were a definitive era for rock and roll, with subgenres like grunge, nu metal, and Britpop taking over the scene and stomping out the previous decade’s sex-fueled glam metal landscape. Music took on a more raw, straightforward sonic identity, but this would not have been possible without the female artists who defined the decade.
Hole and its unforgettable frontwoman, Courtney Love, were among ‘90s rock’s most defining figures. They combined ultra-feminine aesthetics with grungy, feminist anthems, becoming one of modern music’s most commercially successful female-fronted acts.
Groups like Bikini Kill and L7 brought forward a new wave of feminist punk, known as riot grrrl, shining a light on an underground feminist movement and establishing an everlasting legacy on the revolutionary subculture.
1990s female rock artists who are ridiculously underrated
However, several female rock artists from this musical era still don’t get enough recognition. Their artistry brought something unprecedented to ‘90s rock, influenced future musical acts, and helped shape the genres that defined the time.
Babes In Toyland
Known for their harsh brutality and ferocious femininity, Babes In Toyland was one of the heavier all-female groups of the ‘90s. After releasing their debut album, Spanking Machine, in 1990, the record caught the attention of Sonic Youth. The band then invited Babes in Toyland to join them on their European tour that year.
Babes In Toyland continued to rise in popularity, hitting mainstream success in 1992 after signing on with Reprise Records and releasing their sophomore album Fontanelle. That record contained the group’s hit song “Bruise Violet,” inspired by the same muse who influenced Courtney Love’s signature track.
Although the group disbanded in 1997, reuniting numerous times, Babes In Toyland remains one of the 1990s' most hardcore rock acts. Kat Bjelland’s signature vocal prowess and powerful guitar riffage coincided flawlessly with Maureen Hermann on bass and Lori Barbero on drums, resulting in a rebellious, sexual fury and independence not previously seen from previous female punk or metal names.
Tina Bell (Bam Bam)
While grunge music is often regarded as a white male-dominated scene, the genre would not be what it is today without the everlasting legacy of Tina Bell. The former frontwoman of rock group Bam Bam, Bell founded the band alongside guitarist Tommy Martin.
Other original members included bassist Scott Ledgerwood and drummer Matt Cameron, the latter of whom soon found greater fame in groups like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
A renowned figure in rock music, Bell is known today as the “Godmother of Grunge.” Although Bell eventually left the group in 1990 after Bam Bam struggled to gain success, Bell’s impact on grunge music and ‘90s rock is undeniable. Pioneers like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Alice In Chains all cite Bell as a major influence on their careers and the genre.
Bell passed away in 2012 and had quit music long before, but the “Queen of Grunge” forever remains as one of rock’s most groundbreaking—yet underrated—musicians. A powerful Black woman in the scene, Bell was a stellar songwriter and way ahead of her time.
Unfortunately, due to the racism and sexism prevalent in the music industry, Bell was unable to face the amount of fame and recognition that her male counterparts did.
Shirley Manson (Garbage, Angelfish, Goodbye Mr Mackenzie)
From her work as the frontwoman for alternative rock band Garbage, Scottish musician Shirley Manson has incorporated a variety of genres in her musicality, including rock, pop, grunge, and electronic. Renowned for her work with Garbage and rock groups Angelfish and Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, Manson is iconic for her passionate singing style, one that combines dreamy femininity with a striking bite.
Since the band’s formation in 1993, Garbage’s unrelenting artistry and original lineup have remained unchanged. Known for their eclectic musical style, Garbage was known for its unique blend of pop, grunge, rock, trip hop, and shoegaze.
Crafting a sound that was—and remains—unheard of, Garbage and Manson's unforgettable sound and look have defined them as some of rock music’s most standout artists.
Garbage will soon release their eighth studio album, Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, on May 30. While the record is said to be more self-reflective than political, Manson has been praised for both her music and her advocacy throughout her career.
She has used her platform to shine light on several political issues, including the Gaza War, the war in Ukraine, children’s cancer research, AIDS research, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and more.
Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde)
As Concrete Blonde's lead singer and bassist, Johnette Napolitano established a discography defined by its moody, emotive resonance. With a vocal style that seemed to evoke gothic influences, Napolitano’s signature rasp fueled the band's artistry. The band reached significant success in 1990 with the release of their third full-length album, Bloodletting.
Featuring tracks such as the vampyric title track or the nostalgic “Caroline,” the album also includes “Joey,” Concrete Blonde’s most popular and highest-charting song. Told from the point of view of somebody in love with an alcoholic, “Joey” is a defining track from Concrete Blonde, conveying the group’s signature vulnerability and poetic songwriting in all its raw glory.
The band’s distinctive honesty and goth influences set them apart from the rest of the ‘90s rock groups. Napolitano's songwriting and artistry made their legacy possible. While the group disbanded in 1994, Concrete Blonde's influence is eternal.
Justine Frischmann (Suede, Elastica)
Although she retired from music in 2002 and is now an accomplished artist and painter, Justine Frischmann is one of the most influential artists in ‘90s music, although her accomplishments are often not spoken of.
In 1989, Frischmann formed the English rock band Suede with Brett Anderson and Mat Osman. Alongside bands such as Oasis, Blur, and Pulp, Suede were monumental in popularizing the Britpop genre during the ‘90s.
Suede released their self-titled debut album in 1993, reaching number one on the U.K. Albums Chart. While Frischmann left the group in 1991, the band said she was highly influential on their debut record.
Frischmann went on to form Elastica in 1992 following her departure from Suede. Their debut album, Elastica, topped the U.K. charts in 1993 and soon became the fastest-selling debut album in U.K. music history.
Following Elastica’s disbandment in 2001, Frischmann continued to influence modern music, working with British rapper and singer M.I.A. in her early years. Although Frischmann’s musical career is shorter than her career outside of music, her influence is strong and undeniable.
Bratmobile
Alongside Bikini Kill, Bratmobile was one of the first riot grrrl bands. Combining surf and garage rock influences with playful, feminist lyrics, Bratmobile was active in the music genre and the riot grrrl movement’s coinciding zine community. Throughout their career, Bratmobile toured with Bikini Kill, Heaven’s To Betsy, and Sleater-Kinney, released three full-length albums, and put out one EP.
With lyrics that were as cheeky as they were retrospective, Bratmobile combined their knowledge of women’s studies and classic punk influences to establish a musicality that was as educational as it was raging and revolutionary, bringing forward a youthful “bratty” energy not seen since the likes of The Runaways.
Without Bratmobile, the first-generation riot grrrl movement might not have been as popular as it was, and modern rock music would not have been the same.