Welcome to Hysteria!

[via Britannica]

Hello, friends, I'd like to welcome you to my first blog post. I'm Mila Ponce, an incoming freshman at UIC, and I'm incredibly excited to begin my time here as a blogger with UIC Radio. Throughout the school year, I'll be talking about all things girl grunge and riot grrrl in my blog, Hysteria—so if that's your thing, make sure to stick around. And if it isn't, don't worry, I'm sure my blog posts will be the most feminist, punk, provocative thing you've read all day. Besides, I don't limit myself to music alone. Although you can expect to hear about classic '90s feminist-oriented and modern female-led alternative bands, I'll also discuss radically feminist films, fashion, and literature that maintain the same grittiness and brutal honesty that female grunge bands have. After all, a subculture isn't complete if its message isn't portrayed in multiple forms of art.

Unfortunately, while I am minimally versed in the history of '90s girl rock, I won't be taking much about the pre-80s era of female rock bands. For instance, there will be minimal mentions of popular female-fronted bands, such as Fleetwood Mac, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Joan Jett, among others. While it is essential to recognize, appreciate, and acknowledge the musical success of women who came before the female grunge of the 90s, I want to keep this blog (for now) focused on a specific subgenre and its components and primary themes.

[taken from The Cut]

Why I Started This Blog

There has yet to occur a single moment where a woman is not ridiculed, reduced, and mocked for showing interest in something. This discrimination was most definitely the case for women breaking into alternative genres in the late twentieth century. Feminist punk was a way for many women to step into the mainstream alternative scene and profess their desire for equality, while also expressing their formerly shamed innermost desires and ideas. For some, it was merely a form of expression rather than protest; while for others, music was resistance and revolution in its most potent and accessible form.

I want to preface this blog by expressing that I am a poet, musician, and (most importantly) a feminist who believes that lyrical expression is one of the most powerful and persuasive means of communicating an idea or feeling. Music isn't just entertainment. It can be, but for many, it's a form of activism and empowerment beyond protest or rally. I'll bet you've heard of at least one of these bands or songs, whether that be on social media or perhaps through a moment of "Who is this crazy woman screaming at me, is she insane?" while listening to somebody else's Spotify playlist. The figures I'll talk about are strong, creative, and dedicated to their craft, but their complete genius is often underappreciated. Whether you know them or not, they have made waves in music and continue to influence the alternative scene today.

Overall, with this blog series, I want to challenge you to critically evaluate the media you consume and determine the message it conveys; in other words, pay attention to what it actually says. Once you take the time to understand something fully, the subject becomes much more interesting and thought-provoking than merely grasping it at a surface level. I'll be adding a Spotify link in this post to Revolution Girl Style Now! by Bikini Kill —they're one of the most influential riot grrrl bands, and their debut album is essential to the genre. Consider it your homework for this week.

In short, now's a good time to throw on your vintage babydoll dress and messy maroon lipstick. Read up on Plath, Sexton, and Woolf. But most importantly, I'd like to formally welcome you to Hysteria.

Until then,

Mila