Feminist punk, Zine’s and remote Scottish Highlands - Hagridden by Bratakus: ALBUM REVIEW
Women are loud and quiet, angry and calm but they’re always a total, complete and deserving person. Which is what the 1990’s Riot-grrrl punk movement is all about. Starting with home-made zines and ending with a worldwide movement that changed music forever. Bands such as Bratmobile and Bikini Kill used the power of comedy, musicality and femininity to create politically charged music that connected with women all over the world. If it weren’t for the Riot-grrrl movement, the rock and punk scene might not be the open community space we see today.
Riot-grrrl was an early 90’s, underground punk movement. Following the anti-establishment and DIY punk of the 70’s, women started to notice that the space was problematic for them. There was violence and assaults in the venues alongside female-fronted bands not being taken seriously. Women in mosh pits began to gather together to discuss the problems with the space.
This community started with Fan Zines - a small, self-published booklet that stands against the commercialisation and advertisements of popular publications. “Zines” can be about anything and everything - they essentially serve as a creative outlet to explore any topic in a way that suits the creator. During the 90’s, these “Zines” were often about the female experience in the punk scene. The Zine “riot-grrl” was launched around the same time bands such as the aforementioned ‘Bratmobile’ and ‘Bikini Kill’ were performing their songs about the female experience - such as the famous “Rebel Girl” by “Bikini Kill.”
Zines and music came together to allow the punk space to be open for women. Girls were often encouraged to “Come to the Front” of the venue so they could safely enjoy a non male-dominated mosh pit. More female-fronted bands were starting to be taken seriously and the movement was even the predecessor of third-wave feminism. It was revolutionary but of course, in hindsight, had its faults. For instance, it mainly only represented straight, white and middle class women.
The thing is, a movement always does what it’s supposed to do, it starts conversations and does get things… moving. However, it’s never always linear, where there’s people in power that fear community change, there’s always going to be push back. Meaning, the movement needs to keep moving. The Riot-grrrl movement translated into 2026 terms has the chance to take the anti-capitalism statements of “punk”, the feminist statements of the original Riot-grrrl in the 90s and tie it in with the current issues and discussions of today. Meaning, inclusivity to trans women, people of colour and women of varying sexualities.
One of the bands that fit under this category is “Bratakus” - whose new album “Hagridden” I recently got the chance to listen to.
Bratakus are a Scottish duo from a small village in the highlands. They follow all the classic punk rules with their DIY attitudes, political lyrics and rejection of mainstream conformity. Their remote location has been a topic of interest for fans and even garnered an article from the BBC titled “Bratakus — are these sisters the UK’s most remote punk band?” What started for them as a logistical issue, not being able to find other bandmates, became the foundation of their unique identity. Sisters Onnagh and Breagha create their own sound using programmed drums, musical talent and pure, unadulterated rage.
Their new album is a 10 track, razor sharp call to action. It’s chanting lyrics and raspy shouts are designed to make you chant back with them. “We are not your final girls, we won’t follow your rules” “There’s no such thing as a real man” and “you are exploited, while you exploit them” are just some examples of these reality truths that Bratakus invites us into musical discussions about. Their main themes of this album are feminism, animal rights, media brainwashing and the normalisation of sweatshops.
But how does it feel to listen to the album Hagridden?
It feels like waking up. It’s angry and strong and shakes you out of something. Once you’ve finished, you feel like you’re ready to start a revolution. The songs are short like an alarm that pounds through your veins. When you close your eyes you see years of people marching through the streets, the signs that shock you and the emotions that hit you. You see the clear influences of the feminist musicians that came before. Underground punk gigs that finally start to feel like a place that welcomes women. You see it like a flashing montage, the way women have used music to share their voice, letting themselves be angry and unashamed. The understated “X-ray spex” who, despite their extreme impact on the genre and music as a whole, are still not as well known as their male fronted counterparts such as “The Damned” and “Sex Pistols.” Then the bands that came after that - like when “Bikini Kill” encouraged all women to come to the front of the stage and men to get to the back. Bratakus use their short song times, punchy instruments and abrasive vocals to scream a message and make sure it’s seared into your skin. Then it’s over before you know it and you’re prepared to charge into action.
That’s how the album feels.
You can listen to Hagridden on its release day as of the 13th of February. They also have a small tour of the UK and Paris so if you have the chance to see them definitely make sure you do.
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In conclusion, while punk and riot-grrrl were definitely a product of their time, it’s still important to this day that we follow in those footsteps. Bratakus are a small part of a big idea but in these movements each part counts. Their songs and lyrics are fun and catchy without over-commercialisation or pandering. I can definitely see Bratakus being the next big thing in the underground/punk scene.
Again, as I always suggest, try and get a physical copy of the album if you can. If you’re a Bratakus fan and will be seeing their show in Manchester, let’s make a fun fan project. To celebrate where riot-grrrl all started, with zines, make your own zine. It can be about whatever you want, made however you want. We can share them with each other and each one that ends up in my hands will be featured on WorldHere.
Hope to see you soon :)
