Cuntcore (aka: Cuntrock) is a genre of female driven
music founded by front woman Vain Jayne of the She-Devils (formerly
Baby Jayne), circa 1997. Originally, the
definition in essence, was a humorous play on the term "Cock rock". As the band developed the term carried over with the band's name change in early 1999, and the She-Devils were now defining a new genre of
music while taking stance against the Riot Grrrl movement.
A former Riot Grrrl herself, Vain Jayne dropped from the scene after experiencing first-hand sexual discrimination against her male bandmates and the
failure to respect individualistic differences when the She-Devils were invited to play the 1999 Riot Grrrl Convention in Memphis,
Tennessee.
"Riot Grrrl embraced a whole new feminist movement by promoting equality between the sexes in the male-driven world of rock-n-roll. In later experiences I discovered this was not the case at all. Riot Grrrl is just another name for male-hate, female driven angst. While the original intentions were good ideals, the truth to the situation is quite
ugly and fell far from it's expectations.
I now understand why reputable bands such as Hole, Babes In Toyland, and L7 refused to be lumped into the genre. While I realize that there may be some out there who truly believe and uphold these ideals, the majority does not. I strongly urge any self-proclaimed "Grrrl" out there to re-think their position and involvement with this group." Jayne said.
The She-Devils were the first band to be published under the newly founded Cuntcore genre as recorded in the Midwest
Music Directory, and Nil8 member Bruce Williams' Orange
Juice Records, in 2000. Soon after, a plethora of girl bands started popping up screaming "Cuntcore" as their new
feminist genre. After releasing their debut cd, "Drugtrash", the She-Devils felt that is was
time to step back and begin getting more serious about their
music and in doing so dropped away from the genre it created. Today you will find girl bands, and oddly enough some male groups, using the definition.
"I'm not
happy how it ended up being manipulated. It was as if these new bands coming into the genre twisted Cuntcore back into the direction Riot Grrrl was headed. I will not be responsible nor to blame for a group of angsty females with an unfounded case of male-hate. I'm not a
feminist, I am an equalist, and that was what it was all about." Jayne said. "It was
beautiful while it lasted."
