| War On Women | |
| Image Upright: | 1.15 |
| Landscape: | yes |
| Origin: | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Genre: |
|
| Years Active: | 2010–present |
| Label: |
|
| Current Members: |
|
| Past Members: |
|
War On Women is a hardcore punk band from Baltimore, Maryland, formed in 2010. The political, feminist themes in their music include abortion rights, rape and misogyny.[1]
In 2003, Brooks Harlan recruited Shawna Potter to sing and play guitar for AVEC, an indie-rock band that was based in Baltimore.[2] Seeing Courtney Love playing guitar in "Doll Parts" inspired Potter to play music.[3]
In 2010 Potter and Harlan formed War On Women, a band “inspired by the riot grrrl bands [Potter] adored as a teenager.”[2]
War On Women released their debut album, a six-song EP titled Improvised Weapons, in 2012 on Exotic Fever Records.[4]
In 2015 the band released their first full-length album, the self-titled War On Women, on Bridge Nine Records. The album was recorded, mixed and produced in collaboration with J. Robbins of the band Jawbox.[5]
Their second and third full-length albums were also released under by Bridge Nine Records. The second album, Capture the Flag, was again recorded with J. Robbins and released in 2018.[5] The third album, Wonderful Hell, was released in 2020.[5] Guitarist, Harlan, has acknowledged influences of "Fugazi, Bad Brains, At the Drive-In, Metallica, and Slayer...", as well as less obvious influences such as Suzanne Vega, Nomeansno, Ben Folds Five, and Pat Metheny.[6]
In August 2021 Robbins’ band Jawbox announced that Harlan had joined the band, replacing guitarist Bill Barbot.[7]
In January 2022, ex-guitarist Nancy Hornburg accused member Brooks Harlan of "controlling and emotionally abusive behavior" during her time with the band,[8] and alleged frontwoman Shawna Potter had been dishonest about the band's financial matters, including royalties.[9] The band issued a response sharing their perspective of these events, disavowing the accusations and indicating Hornburg as having "repeated instances of lateness, inability to play, and overall inconsistent behavior."[10]
In the summer of 2022, the band returned to the UK and Europe for a month long tour.[11]