Biography
While Bikini Kill and Bratmobile propelled the riot grrrl uprising stateside, Huggy Bear ignited a parallel uprising on British soil. The mixed-gender lineup featured vocalist Chris, vocalist and bassist Niki, guitarists Jo and Jon, plus drummer Karen; the members withheld their surnames and turned down every interview and photo request. They made their first appearance in late 1991 as openers for Heavenly and promptly began laying down initial demo tracks. Wiiija later compiled those recordings into a release that triggered intense major-label interest, yet the five-piece stayed loyal to the indie imprint. They did extend a conditional proposal to the Nude label—on the proviso that Suede be dropped—but the offer was refused.
In 1992 the band issued its first EP, Rubbing the Impossible to Burst, a fierce set of spoken-word tirades and collage pieces whose packaging carried explicit political statements. Two comparable singles, Kiss Curl for the Kid's Lib Guerrillas and Her Jazz, appeared next. Huggy Bear then joined Bikini Kill for a UK tour and the shared 12-inch Our Troubled Youth/Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, arriving precisely when media coverage of riot grrrl reached its height on both sides of the Atlantic. Late in 1993 the group gathered its early output on the anthology Taking the Rough with the Smooch, then withdrew from view for twelve months. They returned in late 1994 with the EPs Long Distance Lovers and Main Squeeze. After the eventual full-length Weaponry Listens to Love, Huggy Bear dissolved. Niki and Jo subsequently played with fellow Wiiija act the Blood Sausages, Karen joined the Phantom Pregnancies, Chris performed with Skinned Teen, and Jon became a member of I'm Being Good.
In 1992 the band issued its first EP, Rubbing the Impossible to Burst, a fierce set of spoken-word tirades and collage pieces whose packaging carried explicit political statements. Two comparable singles, Kiss Curl for the Kid's Lib Guerrillas and Her Jazz, appeared next. Huggy Bear then joined Bikini Kill for a UK tour and the shared 12-inch Our Troubled Youth/Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah, arriving precisely when media coverage of riot grrrl reached its height on both sides of the Atlantic. Late in 1993 the group gathered its early output on the anthology Taking the Rough with the Smooch, then withdrew from view for twelve months. They returned in late 1994 with the EPs Long Distance Lovers and Main Squeeze. After the eventual full-length Weaponry Listens to Love, Huggy Bear dissolved. Niki and Jo subsequently played with fellow Wiiija act the Blood Sausages, Karen joined the Phantom Pregnancies, Chris performed with Skinned Teen, and Jon became a member of I'm Being Good.
Albums
Singles
