Their first gig came supporting Heavenly in 1991, and they quickly recorded several home demos on a 4 track, which became their first release when compiled by Wiija Records. They were soon being chased by several major labels, though the band refused to sign to any of them. Nude Records were one such label, but the band demanded that their top act Suede be dropped from the label if they were expected to sign. Despite their D.I.Y. ethic seeming to promote less emphasis on rehearsing than creating, a string of independent singles created a stir, as did support slots with Sonic Youth, Pavement and Blur. A joint tour and album with Bikini Kill brought them more attention and the Riot Grrrl scene started to gain column inches in the UK music press. They followed this with the riotous 'Her Jazz' single later in 1993. A rendition of this single on Channel 4's 'The Word' saw the band penetrating the male dominated media with their message, and achieving notoriety after being ejected from the studio for verbally attacking the presenters from the audience following their live performance.
As with US hardcore scene leaders Fugazi, their anti-media stance led to a devoted, word-of-mouth following being accrued, although gigs were not without incident. A live date at the Derby Warehouse ended in drama, when the band were halted mid-performance by a male audience member objecting to their 'girls only' rule applied to the front rows at gigs. Subsequently publications as varied as soft porn, pyschology and music magazines all began to discuss (or dismiss) their unusual but justified stance.
In the summer of 1993 they toured the U.S., removing them from the spotlight at home for a short while. They spent early 1994 writing new songs as well as a chapter for a book on women's experiences in rock, published by Virago.
Following a compilation album of the early singles, guitarist Jon left the band, partly due to a fear of flying that prevented him from touring. A further album 'Weaponry Listens To Love' arrived in November 1994, which displayed a primal, rhythmic approach that belied a passion and musicianship often denigrated by those opposed to the politics of the band.
The music press had by now moved on to the 'next big thing', and proclaimed that Riot Grrrl had never happened or was now 'dead'. Despite this, it's effects can still be found in today's music scene, not least because of the militancy of bands like Huggy Bear, and their championing of creativity in all it's forms. Many bands, labels and fanzines would no doubt openly admit this influence if anyone cared to ask . . .
Only the departed guitarist Jon has remained (fairly) visible in the music scene since the band dissolved, having joined labelmates and mod-agitators Comet Gain on his departure.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE HUGGY BEAR: Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, The Slits, Hole, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, Comet Gain, Bis, The Pixies..