Rape Revenge was a grindcore/power violence band from Calgary, Alberta active in the early 2010s. They released two 7"s and a live cassette while active, and played many shows mainly in Canada. Members of the band were/are also in Janitor Scum, Puppet Wipes, Sawlung, Lab Rat, Think Don't Pray and Charlene Bronson to name a few.
Rape Revenge played fast, heavy grindcore with very political messaging rooted in feminism and inclusivity in the hardcore/punk scene. Everything from the band name to their lyrics was pushing the boundaries of the predominantly male-dominated scene. Songs about killing rapists, capitalistic beauty standards for women, queerness in the hardcore scene etc, made Rape Revenge a band that didn't always please everyone. They faced some pretty brutal backlash at times, including a "pro-rape" band being formed just to play a show with them, Rape Revenge of course refused to play the show upon finding this out.
I truly believe Rape Revenge made a powerful impact in the Canadian hardcore/punk scene and moved things forward to be more inclusive of women and queerness in the scene. We need more bands like Rape Revenge, they were unapologetically passionate and angry at the state of the scene. The existence of bands like them is what sparks change in areas that desperately need it.
Rape Revenge played shows with some of the best Canadian grindcore/hardcore bands of the time including Six Brew Bantha, War Hero, Obacha and Osk.
As a queer woman involved in the current hardcore/punk/grindcore scene, Rape Revenge is a huge inspiration to me and I aspire to bring their ethos to my own music and art. The fact that a lot of the issues they addressed are still very relevant today saddens me and if people don't step up, it will always remain this way. It is genuinely so much harder to make a place for yourself in the hardcore scene as a woman and I think that a lot of men don't even realize or consider that. Women who play this music are constantly brushed off as less serious, not hardcore enough, just a "girl-band", or the girlfriend of a band member. It has to stop. I applaud Rape Revenge for the work they did at fighting for women and queer people, it certainly is not easy.
Note: I will be borrowing some more Rape Revenge releases from some friends to scan which I will update on this post when it happens. So check back if you care! Also if anyone has any additional info, fliers etc let us know!
S/T 7" 2010 (xTRUEx)
