7 Year Bitch

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7 Year Bitch
Country Seattle, Washington, USA
Years active 1990–1997
Genres Punk Rock
Labels C/Z Records
Atlantic Records
Man's Ruin
Members Selene Vigil
Stefanie Sargent
Elizabeth Davis
Valerie Agnew
Roison Dunne
Lisa Faye Beatty

7 Year Bitch was an all-female punk rock band formed in Seattle, Washington and active from 1990 to 1997. Although their fierce sound and the subject matter of their lyrics led some in the press to identify them as part of the riot grrl movement centered in nearby Olympia, Washington, they always rejected the connection. [citation needed] Their recording career included three full-length albums, Sick 'Em (1992), ¡Viva Zapata! (1994), and Gato Negro (1996).

They were inspired (and initially mentored) by Mia Zapata of The Gits, another Seattle-based punk band; after Zapata was murdered in 1993, band member Valerie Agnew was the primary instigator and co-founder of the anti-violence and self-defense project Home Alive.[1][2][3]

Contents

[edit] Biography

7 Year Bitch was formed in 1990 by vocalist Selene Vigil, guitarist Stefanie Sargent, bassist Elizabeth Davis and drummer Valerie Agnew. Vigil, Sargent, and Agnew were playing together in Seattle group Barbie's Dream Car when their bassist left for Europe. They recruited Elizabeth Davis, renamed their band 7 Year Bitch (a play on the movie title Seven Year Itch) and set about writing and rehearsing new songs.

At their first show, the band opened for The Gits, who became the band's primary musical influence. After a debut single released in 1991, 7 Year Bitch signed with C/Z Records. Their first album Sick 'Em appeared in 1992, but was overshadowed by Sargent's death due to a drug overdose just prior to its release. After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the band decided to continue on, drafting guitarist Roisin Dunne as Sargent's replacement later that year. In July 1993, longtime friend and Gits frontwoman Mia Zapata was brutally raped and murdered while walking home late at night. This event, coupled with Sargent's overdose the previous year, had a profound effect on the group. As a direct reaction, the band recorded and released their second album ¡Viva Zapata! (1994) in tribute to both of their fallen friends.

In 1995 the group signed with Atlantic Records, and in 1996 released Gato Negro, their third full-length album. Following the tour supporting Gato Negro, guitarist Roisin Dunne left the group. Lisa Faye Beatty (ex-Mudwimmin), the group's live sound engineer and long-time friend, was drafted as Dunne's replacement.

In early 1997, the band began recording material for what would have been their fourth record. However, the sessions were quickly marred after the band received news that they were being dropped by Atlantic. Without a major label to back them, and with waning internal interest in the group, 7 Year Bitch disbanded.

Following the break-up of 7 Year Bitch, bassist Elizabeth Davis played in Clone, a San Francisco band, from 1997–2003. In 2005, she helped form the band Von Iva.

In 2000, vocalist Selene Vigil formed a new goth/psychedelic-influenced band by the name of Cistine.

On December 10, 2005 Vigil married Brad Wilk, drummer for Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, her boyfriend of ten years. [1]

In 2006, Roisin Dunne (Ross) picked up her guitar after almost 10 years to play in the Port Townsend-based band The Last Goodbye. She now resides in New York with her husband and Boston terrier.

[edit] Band Members

  • Selene Vigil — vocals
  • Stefanie Sargent — guitar (1990–1992); died of a heroin overdose (27 June 1992).
  • Elizabeth Davis — bass
  • Valerie Agnew — drums
  • Roisin Dunne — guitar (1992–1996)
  • Lisa Faye Beatty — guitar (1996–1997)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles/Eps

  • "Lorna" b/w "No Fucking War," "You Smell Lonely" (Rathouse/Face The Music Records), (1991; (reissued by C/Z Records in 1992).
  • Antidisestablishmentarianism EP (Rugger Bugger Records), (1992).
  • 7 Year Bitch/Thatcher On Acid-"Can We Laugh Now?"/"No Fucking War" (Clawfist Records), (1992).
  • 7 Year Bitch EP (C/Z Records, (1992).
  • "Rock-A-Bye Baby" b/w "Wide Open Trap" (C/Z Records), (1994).
  • "The History Of My Future" b/w "24,900 Miles Per Hour" (promo only) (Atlantic Records, (1996).
  • "24,900 Miles Per Hour" (promo only) (Atlantic Records), (1996).
  • "Miss Understood" b/w "Go!" (Man's Ruin), (1996).

[edit] Compilation/Soundtrack contributions

  • "8-Ball Deluxe" on Kill Rock Stars (Kill Rock Stars), (1991).
  • "Dead Men Don't Rape" on There's A Dyke In The Pit (Outpunk/Harp Records), (1992).
  • "The Scratch" on Power Flush: San Francisco, Seattle & You (Rathouse/Broken Rekids), (1993).
  • "In Lust You Trust" on Rawk Atlas (promo only) (C/Z Records), (1993).
  • "Dead Men Don't Rape" on Progression (Progression), (1994).
  • "The Scratch," "Icy Blue" on the Mad Love Motion Picture Soundtrack (Zoo Records), (1995).
  • "Kiss My Ass Goodbye" on Seattle Women In Rock: A Diverse Collection (Insight Records), (1995).
  • "Damn Good And Well" on Space Mountain (Rough Trade), (1995).
  • "The Scratch" on Take A Lick (promo only) (BMG), (1995).
  • "M.I.A." on Notes From The Underground, Vol. 2 (Priority Records), (1995).
  • "Mad Dash" on Home Alive: The Art Of Self-Defense (Epic Records), (1996).
  • "24,900 Miles Per Hour" on huH Music Sampler #23 (promo only) (RayGun Press), (1996).
  • "Knot (Live)" on Hype! The Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sub Pop Records), (1996).
  • "Damn Good And Well" on Rough Cuts: The Best Of Rough Trade Publishing, 1991-1995, Rough Trade (1997).
  • "Rock-A-Bye Baby" on She's A Rebel (Beloved/Shanachie Records), (1997).
  • "Shake Appeal" on We Will Fall: The Iggy Pop Tribute (Royalty Records), (1997).
  • "M.I.A." on Whatever: The 90's Pop & Culture Box Rhino/WEA (2005).
  • "The Scratch" on Sleepless In Seattle: The Birth Of Grunge (LiveWire Recordings, (2006).

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ History, Home Alive site. Accessed 25 September 2006.
  2. ^ Cynthia Rose, Safety and Violence Hot Topics on Celebrity-Packed CD, on state51.co.uk. Accessed 25 September 2006.
  3. ^ Fabula magazine interview with 7 Year Bitch, undated. Accessed online 25 September 2006.

[edit] External links

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