How are you going to talk about the early days of grunge without getting into L7? This ferocious Los Angeles band had some of the hardest and meanest riffs of any of their contemporaries. Their all-female lineup and presence became influential to bands in the riot grrl movement. Listening to their lyrics today is just as empowering as it was nearly 30 years ago. Take this excerpt from “Shove” as just a sample: “Some guy just pinched my ass Shove Drunken bums ain’t go no class Shove The club says I won’t get paid Shove It’s been months since I’ve been laid”

-Dusty Henry, courtesy of KEXP