Babes in Toyland

Thunderous bass, apocalyptic drumming, unholy shrieks of ecstasy and agony — Babes in Toyland are a band that is felt as much as they are heard. Formed in Minneapolis in 1987 by vocalist/guitarist Kat Bjelland with drummer Lori Barbero, they broke out with Spanking Machine (1990), blazing new trails through the early grunge movement and foreshadowing riot grrrl. Their three studio albums — Spanking Machine (1990), Fontanelle (1992), and Nemesisters (1995) — remain touchstones of loud, subversive punk rock. The band split in 2001, reunited in 2014, and last performed in 2020.