Betty Blowtorch

Betty Blowtorch came together in Olympia, Washington in the early 1990s, around the same time the riot grrrl scene was taking shape. The band's first lineup had Emily Carter on vocals and guitar, Kira Roessler on bass, and Michelle Mae on drums. They put out their debut album 'Are You Man Enough?' in 1994, which included the track 'Betty Blowtorch Anthem.'

Over the next few years, the lineup shifted. Roessler left in 1995 and was replaced by Lisa Johannes. When Mae stopped drumming in 1997, Patty Schemel, who had played with Hole, took over. They worked with other artists from the scene, like Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Joan Jett.

Their songs, like 'Big Hair, Broken Heart' and 'Fish Taco,' had a raw, direct sound. Carter's lyrics often dealt bluntly with sexuality and gender, which drew some criticism but also connected with their audience. The band's live shows were known for being loud and confrontational.