Alice Bag
Alice Bag: Pioneering Punk Rock and Feminism
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Alice Bag is a punk rock icon, artist, and educator best known as the lead singer of The Bags, one of the first all-female punk bands in the United States. Her full name is Alicia Armendariz.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on November 7, 1958
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American musician, artist, educator, and author
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in East Los Angeles, California, Alice Bag was exposed to the vibrant cultural landscape of the Chicano community. Her parents, who were both immigrants from Mexico, instilled in her a strong sense of pride and identity. Bag's early life was marked by poverty and social inequality, but she found solace in music, particularly the sounds of rock 'n' roll and R&B.
In high school, Bag began singing with various bands, eventually forming The Bags with friends Patricia Racella (bass), Margarita Rosado (drums), and Cynthia Ramos (guitar). Their raw energy and feminist lyrics quickly gained them a following in the Los Angeles punk scene of the late 1970s.
Major Accomplishments
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Formed one of the first all-female punk bands in the United States, The Bags
Released their debut single, "Where Were You?", in 1978
Contributed to the development of the East Los Angeles punk scene
Authored her memoir, _Violence Girl: East L.A. Revolutionaries_, in 2011
Notable Works or Actions
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As a member of The Bags, Bag's music addressed themes of feminism, social justice, and personal empowerment. Her lyrics were unapologetic and unafraid to tackle topics like sexism, racism, and police brutality.
In addition to her work with The Bags, Bag has also collaborated on various musical projects and has been an outspoken advocate for women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues. She has performed at numerous festivals and concerts, including the 2019 Riot Fest in Chicago.
Impact and Legacy
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Alice Bag's impact on punk rock and feminist movements is immeasurable. As a pioneering female artist, she paved the way for future generations of women to express themselves through music. Her lyrics continue to inspire and empower listeners around the world.
Bag's legacy extends beyond her music as well. She has become a respected educator and author, using her platform to promote social justice and challenge systemic inequality. Her memoir, _Violence Girl_, offers a powerful account of her experiences growing up in East Los Angeles and becoming a punk rock icon.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Alice Bag's influence can be seen in the many artists who have cited her as an inspiration. Bands like Bikini Kill and Le Tigre have covered The Bags' songs, while artists like Kathleen Hanna and Joan Jett have praised Bag's pioneering spirit.
As a testament to her enduring impact, Alice Bag continues to perform and tour with various projects, including the all-female punk band Las Munecas. Her music and message remain relevant today, serving as a reminder of the power of punk rock to challenge social norms and promote positive change.
Quotes by Alice Bag
Alice Bag's insights on:
If Jesus himself, or Mohammed, or Buddha spoke to me personally and said that women are inferior to men, I would still reject that as false dogma because I know with every ounce of my being that this is not true.
Sifting through long forgotten stories of my childhood and writing on a daily basis, I became obsessed with following the threads of my memories, one leading to another. I start pulling on a single, seemingly trivial strand, only to discover it is attached to a longer strand; that one in turn is attached to an even bigger one. Sometimes, I find have tugged a whole, hidden tapestry of my past into view, one thread at a time.
If you’re not smiling at yourself in the mirror, you probably need to check that the life you’re building is aligned to the life you dreamed for yourself. And if you’re not dreaming, you need to start dreaming.
On the way home from church, I felt like I was walking on clouds, as pure as an angel. I wished a car would run me down at that very instant, so I could die and go straight to heaven before I had a chance to sin again.
Safe is prudent, safe is comfortable but progress is propelled by those who are willing to risk it all.
During my 20’s and 30’s at some point I started to think, “I have to give it up and I have to grow up.” But the truth is that I can never give it up and that’s another thing that I always tell people, especially young people: don’t even bother thinking that you’re going to give up whatever your art or your creative thing is. It’s always there for you.
If anyone hits me, they can expect to be hit back, and harder. I never turn the other cheek because in my experience that doesn’t work.