(with an introduction from Mary Kelly, guitarist and singer for The Contractions, San Francisco's genuinely great all-woman trio)
(And no, that's not them, nor The (super-cool) Daughters Of Eve, but — from Detroit — The (also super-cool) Pleasure Seekers (featuring Suzi Quatro on bass, the wee little short one, and her sisters, and while I'm not convinced that everybody here was an actual Quatro . . . well, hey, anybody who loads their own gear into the van is an actual Quatro as far as I'm concerned.)
Well, in the heat of our loud, loud, loud rehearsals, Kathy would turn to her amp, to sip her tea, or dig in her purse puddled upon the amp, and that hollow body Hofner would start to feedback, building from a low hmmm, building building HMMMM building HHHMMMMMWHOOOOEEEEEEE whereupon Debbie and I would yell "Kathy! Don't!"We were, at that time, looking for a name, using the age-old practice of anything that came to mind. For example: The Three-piece Power Trio, The Ass Kickers, the Drip Coffee Cones, the Loofas, the Car Keys, the Left Turn Indicators, the I Can't Park Here It's Illegal I'll Get A Ticket Oh Fuckit I'm Immortals, etcetera, the Etceteras. Etcetera. "Etcetera" a Celtic Metal band. Lots of dry ice...
It was maddening.
"Kathy! Don't!!"
"The Contractions?"
Lots of laughter. "Kathy, Don't, Debbie Doesn't, Mary Won't!" Haw, haw, haw. Tee hee. Giggle. Giggle.
At that very moment, another musician opened the door to our room, and said, "You guys sound good, what's your name?"
We looked at each other, and answered, "The Contractions."
Tada.
(used with permission. Thanks, Mary. )
(Oh, and the Contractions were astonishing and amazing and adventurous in the early '80s and are now playing once again. Miss 'em only if you dare.)
The Girls
The Spice Girls
The All Girl Summer Fun Band
The All-Girl Boys
The Runaways
Christian Teenage Runaways
The Slits
The Chicks
The Chic-lets
The Dixie Chicks
Dickless
Fanny
Birtha
Wilma
Isis
She (formerly The Hairem)
Labelle (formerly Patti and the Bluebelles)
The Deadly Nightshade
POW (Pride of Women)
Antigone Rising
The Carrie Nations
Bitch
Bitch Alert
Seven Year Bitch
Bitch Fight
16 Bitch Pile-Up
Rockbitch
The Chubbies
The Dolls
The Demures
The Honeys
The Popsicles
The Cupcakes
The Jelly Beans
Sugar and the Spice
Goldie and the Gingerbreads
Ginger and the Snaps
Candy and the Kisses
The Bittersweets
Kathy Lynn and the Playboys
The Pinups
The Cheerleaders
The Majorettes
The Playgirls
The Pixies 3
The Good Girls
The Stepping Stones
The Wives
The Bags
The Bangs
The Bangles
The Bootles
The Beattle-ettes
The Liver Birds
Connie and the Cones
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Switchblade Kittens
Atomic Kitten
The Applicators
Barbarella
The Barbie Army
The Belle Stars
The Be Good Tanyas
The Pandoras
Paula and the Pandoras
Judi Johnson and the Perfections
Jessica James and the Outlaws
Lulu and the Luvvers
Lorraine and the Socialites
The Royal Debs
The Z-Debs
The Z-Rays
Mama Lion
Indavana Bluz
Ramatam
The Trans-Sisters
Transvision Vamp
The Tammys
The Tom Boys
Three Blond Mice
The Murmaids
The Masterettes
The Fashionettes
The Flirtations
The Rev-Lons
The Whyte Boots
The Nu Luvs
The Reginas
The What Four
The Ladybugs
Carol and Cheryl
The Girls
The Spice Girls
The All Girl Summer Fun Band
The All-Girl Boys
The Runaways
Christian Teenage Runaways
The Slits
The Chicks
The Chic-lets
The Dixie Chicks
Dickless
Fanny
Birtha
Wilma
Isis
She (formerly The Hairem)
Labelle (formerly Patti and the Bluebelles)
The Deadly Nightshade
POW (Pride of Women)
Antigone Rising
The Carrie Nations
Bitch
Bitch Alert
Seven Year Bitch
Bitch Fight
16 Bitch Pile-Up
Rockbitch
The Chubbies
The Dolls
The Demures
The Honeys
The Popsicles
The Cupcakes
The Jelly Beans
Sugar and the Spice
Goldie and the Gingerbreads
Ginger and the Snaps
Candy and the Kisses
The Bittersweets
Kathy Lynn and the Playboys
The Pinups
The Cheerleaders
The Majorettes
The Playgirls
The Pixies 3
The Good Girls
The Stepping Stones
The Wives
The Bags
The Bangs
The Bangles
The Bootles
The Beattle-ettes
The Liver Birds
Connie and the Cones
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Switchblade Kittens
Atomic Kitten
The Applicators
Barbarella
The Barbie Army
The Belle Stars
The Be Good Tanyas
The Pandoras
Paula and the Pandoras
Judi Johnson and the Perfections
Jessica James and the Outlaws
Lulu and the Luvvers
Lorraine and the Socialites
The Royal Debs
The Z-Debs
The Z-Rays
Mama Lion
Indavana Bluz
Ramatam
The Trans-Sisters
Transvision Vamp
The Tammys
The Tom Boys
Three Blond Mice
The Murmaids
The Masterettes
The Fashionettes
The Flirtations
The Rev-Lons
The Whyte Boots
The Nu Luvs
The Reginas
The What Four
The Ladybugs
Carol and Cheryl
The Naughty Bunnys
The Surf Bunnies
The Seashells
The Aquanettas
Denise and Company
Reparata and the Delrons
Yolanda and the Charmaines
Fannie and the Varcels
Debbie and the Darnells
Diane and the Darlettes
Gigi Parker And the Lonelies
Doreen and the Tammys
Erlene and Her Girlfriends
Pat Powdrill and the Powerdrills
The Chiffons
The Chordettes
The Ronnettes
The Bobbettes
The Tonettes
Yvonnne and the Violets
The Marvelettes (formerly The Casinyets)
Margo and the Marvettes
The Vandellas (later Martha and the Vandellas)
The Primettes (later The Supremes, Diana Ross and the Supremes)
The Dixie Cups (formerly Little Miss and the Muffets)
The Ronnettes (formerly Ronnie and the Relatives)
The Raelettes
The Ramblettes
The Ravenettes
The Rhythmettes
The Modettes
The Shangri-Las
The Donnas
Band of Susans
The Bush Tetras
The Cichlids
L7
The Red Aunts
We Got A Fuzzbox (And We’re Gonna Use It)
The Muffs
The Shaggs
Blondie
The Blondettes
Concrete Blond
Three Blond Mice
The B-52s
The Delta 5
The 5.6.7.8.’s
The Avengers
Girlschool (formerly Painted Lady)
World’s Cutest Killers
The Delphines
The Textones
The Violators
The Graces
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Cherie Curry and the Cherry Bombs
Nashville Pussy
The Joy of Cooking
The Poptarts
Venita and the Cherries
The Bodysnatchers
The Cramps
The Contractions
Betty Blowtorch
Hole
Manhole
Penetration
Angel Spit
Toxic Lipstick
Mythika
MaRioNettE
Sobriquet
Spanking Machine
The Wailin’ Jennies
Bombshells
Cheesecake
Bratmobile
Candy Ass
Cheap Chick
Chicks on Speed
Chubby Bunny
Cibo Matta
Cindy Loo Whos
Cougar Party
Crucified Barbara
Dolly Mixture
Dusty Trails
ESG
eX-Girl
Fluffy
Everything But The Girl
Girl Monster
Go Betty Go
Growing Up Skipper
The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously)
Heavens to Betsy
Inspect Her Gadget
The Iron Maidens
Lez Zeppelin
Jack The Lass
The Menstrual Tramps
Mourning Sickness
The Murmurs
OOIOO
Pink Champagn
Plain Jane
Scissor Girls
Some Girls
Super Monkey
Super Junkie Monkey
Syreens
Team Dresch
Tegan And Sara
The Simon Sisters
Tribe 8
Two Nice Girls
Venus Envy
The Veronicas
Vixen
The Violents
Ace of Cups
Bonnie Hayes and the Wild Combo (formerly The Punts)
Hazard County Girls
Destiny’s Child
The Raveonettes
The Detroit Cobras
All Saints
Bardot
Sugar Crush
ThePipettes
Morning Musume
Girls Aloud
En Vogue
TLC
Oaktown 357
Killer Barbies
Kleenex (litgation: then Liliput)
The Rezillos
Castration Squad
The Lunachicks
The Daughters of Eve
The Pleasure Seekers
Carol Bennett and the Satisfiers
The Hissyfits
The Sleater-Kinney Band
The Screamin’ Sirens
Throwing Muses
Belly
Tiger Lily
Feline
Killer Pussy
The Muffs
Pussy Galore
Ladytron
The Lame Flames
Sheraw
Vixen
Venus And The Razorblades
Babes In Toyland
Bikini Kill
The Butchies
LeTigre
The Breeders
Boss Hog
Veruca Salt
The Genitorturers
Cameltoe
Cycle Sluts From Hell
Concrete Blonde
Mary’s Danish
Indigo Girls
Elastica
The Gits
The Female Chauvinist Pigs
The Plasmatics
The Genitorturers
Huggy Bear
Bratmobile
Frightwig
Fluffy
The Gore Gore Girls
Halfcocked
Rachel and the Revolvers
Regina and the Redheads
Ruby and the Romantics
Rosy and the Originals
Patti Lace and the Petticoats
Patti Labelle And the Bluebells (later Labelle)
Heart
Heavens to Betsy
Jack Off Jill
Lords of Acid
Luscious Jackson
Precious Metal
Voices of the Beehive
The Trashwomen
The Count Backwards
Bitch Fight
The Glamour Pussies
The Pussycat Dolls
The Raincoats
Tribe 8
Linda Lane and the Sinners
Melinda and the Misfits
Tina and the Mexicans
Terry and the Tunisians
Shelly Shoop and the Shakers
Pink Lady (later Pink Lady And Jeff)
Shonen Knife
The Ikettes
The Ronettes
The Bobbettes
The Marvelettes
Roxette
The Boswell Sisters
The Andrews Sisters
The King Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Simon Sisters
The DeCarlo Sisters
The Gee Sisters
The Capri Sisters
The Half Sisters
The Android Sisters
The Silver Sisters
The Sisters
The Soul Sisters
The Sledge Sisters (later Sister Sledge)
Little Sister (earlier The Stone Sisters; Sister Stone)
The Pointer Sisters
The Paris Sisters
The Pfister Sisters
The Scissors Sisters
The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Murphy
Shakespeare’s Sister
The Singing Nun
The Nuns
Salt N’ Pepa
Bananarama
Mel & Kim
Pepsi & Shirley
The Topp Twins
SWV (Sisters With Voices)
ESG
The Mamas and the Papas
The Dixie Cups
Vanity 6
Appolonia 6
The Mary Jane Girls
The Cake
The Cheetah Girls
The Emotions
Bardot
Hepburn
The Gonnnabes
The Jaynettes
Las Ketchup
The Murmaids
Shedaisy
Sweet Honey In The Rock
Betty
The Veronicas
Wendy And Lisa
4 Non Blondes
Killer Barbies
Heart
The Indigo Girls
Bad Kitty
Bride of No No
Candy Ass
Gamine Thief
Get The Girl
The Girls
Girl Monsta
The Go-Go's
Go Betty Go
Heavens to Betsy
Hey Girl!
The Holograms
The Holy Sisters of the Gaga Dada
Kunt
Lolita No. 18
Luv'd Ones
Mediæval Bæbes
The Menstrual Tramps
The Murmurs
The Orchids
Pass The Steroids
Ping Pong Bitches
The Plath (Canada)
Prettier Than Pink
Princess Princess
Puffy AmiYumi
Pussy Face
Rockbitch
Rock Goddess
The Ramonas
Screamin' Sirens
Shonen Knife
Slant 6
Tiger Trap
Toxic Lipstick
Tracy and the Plastics
Twelve Girls Band
Two Nice Girls
The Violents
Vixen
Voodoo Queens
Wages Of Sin
The Women's Philharmonic
The Wreckers
Yogy Odus
Yukon
YumiYumi
The Z-Rays
The Surf Bunnies
The Seashells
The Aquanettas
Denise and Company
Reparata and the Delrons
Yolanda and the Charmaines
Fannie and the Varcels
Debbie and the Darnells
Diane and the Darlettes
Gigi Parker And the Lonelies
Doreen and the Tammys
Erlene and Her Girlfriends
Pat Powdrill and the Powerdrills
The Chiffons
The Chordettes
The Ronnettes
The Bobbettes
The Tonettes
Yvonnne and the Violets
The Marvelettes (formerly The Casinyets)
Margo and the Marvettes
The Vandellas (later Martha and the Vandellas)
The Primettes (later The Supremes, Diana Ross and the Supremes)
The Dixie Cups (formerly Little Miss and the Muffets)
The Ronnettes (formerly Ronnie and the Relatives)
The Raelettes
The Ramblettes
The Ravenettes
The Rhythmettes
The Modettes
The Shangri-Las
The Donnas
Band of Susans
The Bush Tetras
The Cichlids
L7
The Red Aunts
We Got A Fuzzbox (And We’re Gonna Use It)
The Muffs
The Shaggs
Blondie
The Blondettes
Concrete Blond
Three Blond Mice
The B-52s
The Delta 5
The 5.6.7.8.’s
The Avengers
Girlschool (formerly Painted Lady)
World’s Cutest Killers
The Delphines
The Textones
The Violators
The Graces
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Cherie Curry and the Cherry Bombs
Nashville Pussy
The Joy of Cooking
The Poptarts
Venita and the Cherries
The Bodysnatchers
The Cramps
The Contractions
Betty Blowtorch
Hole
Manhole
Penetration
Angel Spit
Toxic Lipstick
Mythika
MaRioNettE
Sobriquet
Spanking Machine
The Wailin’ Jennies
Bombshells
Cheesecake
Bratmobile
Candy Ass
Cheap Chick
Chicks on Speed
Chubby Bunny
Cibo Matta
Cindy Loo Whos
Cougar Party
Crucified Barbara
Dolly Mixture
Dusty Trails
ESG
eX-Girl
Fluffy
Everything But The Girl
Girl Monster
Go Betty Go
Growing Up Skipper
The GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously)
Heavens to Betsy
Inspect Her Gadget
The Iron Maidens
Lez Zeppelin
Jack The Lass
The Menstrual Tramps
Mourning Sickness
The Murmurs
OOIOO
Pink Champagn
Plain Jane
Scissor Girls
Some Girls
Super Monkey
Super Junkie Monkey
Syreens
Team Dresch
Tegan And Sara
The Simon Sisters
Tribe 8
Two Nice Girls
Venus Envy
The Veronicas
Vixen
The Violents
Ace of Cups
Bonnie Hayes and the Wild Combo (formerly The Punts)
Hazard County Girls
Destiny’s Child
The Raveonettes
The Detroit Cobras
All Saints
Bardot
Sugar Crush
ThePipettes
Morning Musume
Girls Aloud
En Vogue
TLC
Oaktown 357
Killer Barbies
Kleenex (litgation: then Liliput)
The Rezillos
Castration Squad
The Lunachicks
The Daughters of Eve
The Pleasure Seekers
Carol Bennett and the Satisfiers
The Hissyfits
The Sleater-Kinney Band
The Screamin’ Sirens
Throwing Muses
Belly
Tiger Lily
Feline
Killer Pussy
The Muffs
Pussy Galore
Ladytron
The Lame Flames
Sheraw
Vixen
Venus And The Razorblades
Babes In Toyland
Bikini Kill
The Butchies
LeTigre
The Breeders
Boss Hog
Veruca Salt
The Genitorturers
Cameltoe
Cycle Sluts From Hell
Concrete Blonde
Mary’s Danish
Indigo Girls
Elastica
The Gits
The Female Chauvinist Pigs
The Plasmatics
The Genitorturers
Huggy Bear
Bratmobile
Frightwig
Fluffy
The Gore Gore Girls
Halfcocked
Rachel and the Revolvers
Regina and the Redheads
Ruby and the Romantics
Rosy and the Originals
Patti Lace and the Petticoats
Patti Labelle And the Bluebells (later Labelle)
Heart
Heavens to Betsy
Jack Off Jill
Lords of Acid
Luscious Jackson
Precious Metal
Voices of the Beehive
The Trashwomen
The Count Backwards
Bitch Fight
The Glamour Pussies
The Pussycat Dolls
The Raincoats
Tribe 8
Linda Lane and the Sinners
Melinda and the Misfits
Tina and the Mexicans
Terry and the Tunisians
Shelly Shoop and the Shakers
Pink Lady (later Pink Lady And Jeff)
Shonen Knife
The Ikettes
The Ronettes
The Bobbettes
The Marvelettes
Roxette
The Boswell Sisters
The Andrews Sisters
The King Sisters
The Lennon Sisters
The Simon Sisters
The DeCarlo Sisters
The Gee Sisters
The Capri Sisters
The Half Sisters
The Android Sisters
The Silver Sisters
The Sisters
The Soul Sisters
The Sledge Sisters (later Sister Sledge)
Little Sister (earlier The Stone Sisters; Sister Stone)
The Pointer Sisters
The Paris Sisters
The Pfister Sisters
The Scissors Sisters
The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Murphy
Shakespeare’s Sister
The Singing Nun
The Nuns
Salt N’ Pepa
Bananarama
Mel & Kim
Pepsi & Shirley
The Topp Twins
SWV (Sisters With Voices)
ESG
The Mamas and the Papas
The Dixie Cups
Vanity 6
Appolonia 6
The Mary Jane Girls
The Cake
The Cheetah Girls
The Emotions
Bardot
Hepburn
The Gonnnabes
The Jaynettes
Las Ketchup
The Murmaids
Shedaisy
Sweet Honey In The Rock
Betty
The Veronicas
Wendy And Lisa
4 Non Blondes
Killer Barbies
Heart
The Indigo Girls
Bad Kitty
Bride of No No
Candy Ass
Gamine Thief
Get The Girl
The Girls
Girl Monsta
The Go-Go's
Go Betty Go
Heavens to Betsy
Hey Girl!
The Holograms
The Holy Sisters of the Gaga Dada
Kunt
Lolita No. 18
Luv'd Ones
Mediæval Bæbes
The Menstrual Tramps
The Murmurs
The Orchids
Pass The Steroids
Ping Pong Bitches
The Plath (Canada)
Prettier Than Pink
Princess Princess
Puffy AmiYumi
Pussy Face
Rockbitch
Rock Goddess
The Ramonas
Screamin' Sirens
Shonen Knife
Slant 6
Tiger Trap
Toxic Lipstick
Tracy and the Plastics
Twelve Girls Band
Two Nice Girls
The Violents
Vixen
Voodoo Queens
Wages Of Sin
The Women's Philharmonic
The Wreckers
Yogy Odus
Yukon
YumiYumi
The Z-Rays
