The second annual WTF (Women, Trans, and Femmes) Fest held on Saturday, July 11th at Hook and Ladder Theater in Minneapolis was an evening of non-stop extraordinary entertainment. The event spotlighted queer, trans, and femme punks in the Twin Cities. Organized to fight political oppression of gay and trans people by showcasing the powerful music and voices of the scene, all proceeds went to Twin Cities Trans Mutual Aid. 

Scrunchies did not disappoint. I saw them a while back at Cloudland and fell in love. Sleater Kinney style vocals but musically melodic and then exploding with raw power. I especially loved High Pile and The Empire. Their album Colossal was one of the last records the late Steve Albini engineered.

Spit Takes, in their own words, “aim to fight the political climate of oppression of gay and trans people.” Their song Groomers says, “Don't date, don't mate, unless you're straight!” God Bless (Holy Tits) begins with, “You can't sell me, How god loves me, Shit, I didn't ask the guy to die.' These musicians are tight and my friend Charles Gehr plays the drums. He also organized the WTF2! Fest.

Mary Jam relocated here from New Orleans, and we are most fortunate. They opened with Piggies where they insist that, “Don’t run from the law make the law run from you”. Shades of Wendy O’ Williams mixed with L7, but making their own boss sounds.

E.T. is a synth-heavy, darkness treat duo. I had to buy an “E.T. Phone Homo” sticker and look forward to the next time I find myself on their planet. They played on a tiny stage that I have never seen done before at the Hook and Ladder.

snakeworld! are a poppy punk carnival accompanied by sick vocals. Lost and Found with a Tilt-a-Whirl ride and you’ll go insane from the Heat Wave. Dark themes, upbeat melodies, mixed with queer and trans love. I need to get their music.

Doll Chaser are a confrontational and combative attack against the patriarchal systems and structures working against trans, queers, and allies . Doll Chaser is reminding us that we have the power on our side as long as we work together. A band I will look for in the future.

Momzilla are seasoned pros playing around town often. I saw them at the “15 Minutes of Femme” show, a documentary project of Christy Costello and Lori Barbero, at Pillar. Momzilla opened with a new song called. High-energy, raw punk in your face delivering a message.
Critterthing opened with Family Trees. I especially enjoyed Nice Toys and Sticks (great harmonies and lyrics!)

Ghosting Merit opened with the song Hannah. Equal parts emo and pop punk, this band put me in a car with the top down leisurely driving around the city lakes considering life and love. A deep, meaningful conversation with their audience. Incredible harmonies.

Show Review: Berni Sarazine