The Riot-grrrl movement of the 90s brought to light bands who sung passionately about their politics, communities, DIY, their loves and their annoyances. They organized and supported each other by networking and bringing attention to what most people weren’t talking about. Engaging bands such as Bikini Kill, 7 Year Bitch and Sleater-Kinney spoke to a whole new generation creating politically charged music.

Remnants of the riot-grrrl movement is still prevalent today. Enter The Shondes, a quartet based out of Brooklyn, New York, who mixes feminist punk, traditional jewish melodies and classical music all in a powerful, political, and danceable package.

The Shondes are Temim Fruchter (drum), Louisa Solomon (bass), Elijah Oberman (violin), and Ian Brannigan (guitar). Their name comes from the Yiddish word shonde meaning shameful, disgrace, or a an outrage. There is nothing disgraceful about a band that provokes thought, and creates music that is outside of the mainstream.

Taking a lead from past riot-grrl luminaries, The Shondes bring together dynamic harmonies, classically structured songs, and aggressive beats. Their music stems from various topics (anti Israeli-Palestine occupations, radical queercore) based on their collective passions which “both embrace and subvert these traditions in their compositions.”

After forming last year, The Shondes already have played music festivals such as Ladyfest Las Vegas, Homo A Go Go and Camp Trans. The hard working and politically savvy, Shondes, are set to appear at SXSW this year along with Erase Errata, Lesbians on Ecstacy and Screen club. They will also tour both the east and west coasts.

As the drum pounds, voices soar, guitar lick cuts, rhythmic baselines or the force of a bow to string on a violin, The Shondes dissect and redefine the word “shonde” all together.

Official Site: www.shondes.com
MySpace: wwww.myspace.com/theshondes