Baltimore-based activist, feminist, and anti-fascist hardcore punk band War On Women released their latest album, Wonderful Hell, on October 30 digitally and will drop the physical format on November 13th via Bridge Nine.
War On Women made their mark on the Baltimore punk scene starting in 2010 and their music and lyrics are even more essential these dark days with the malignant Trump in office where he’s spreading hate and fear like a virus, infecting the public with his lies, abuse, power-mad self-absorption, and destructive views and policies.
Wonderful Hell is a battle cry against inequality, misogyny, racism, oppression, tyranny, fascism, and more – and a rallying call to do something out it. The LP is the perfect soundtrack for Election Day in the United States.
Earlier this year War On Women was set to join the venerable punk band Bad Religion on tour, but the pandemic cancelled all that and gave the band members the chance to work on and finish up their album. When one door closes, another one opens…
Shawn Potter, vocalist and lyricist of War On Women, kindly took part in our continuing Protest Interview series (that hopefully, in a future sooner than later, won’t be needed as much as now).
Hello! Please introduce yourself/yourselves and give a description of your sound/musical vision.
Hi, I'm Shawna, I front War On Women, and we're a feminist hardcore punk band.
What is/are the main personal, national, and/or international issue(s) concerning you the most these days?
There is too much to be concerned about to list it here! But we always think about how every important social justice issue will affect all women and girls, and gender non-comforming and non-binary folks. There is always a feminist angle. There is always a way that non-cis men are punished or left behind.
With the election coming up, I'm thinking specifically about voter intimidation and suppression, and abolishing the electoral college. Also how people of color are disproportionately affected by this pandemic due to a purposeful lack of available and affordable health care.
What song, video, or lyrics quote of yours best represents your current viewpoint on this/these important topic(s)?
“There's got to be a better way than giving up or wallowing. Let's raise some wonderful, beautiful hell and make this world worth living in.”
What other forms of protest, besides through your music, are you involved with to get your message across?
Right now, not as much as I'd like. I don't personally feel safe gathering in public spaces, so protests are out for me. What I have done is hold virtual conversations with fellow white people to offer any suggestions or guidance on their journey to become better allies to BIPOC.
I'm not an expert, and I'm not perfect. I'm just a white person doing their best who has taken courses and classes, collaborated with Black-led organizations, and done my own research. If I'm farther along on my journey than someone else, I'm happy to be of help in that way.
It’s easy to judge and criticize others, especially in these unsettling times of overt intolerance, ignorance, and insults, but the fact remains that we need to work together to ensure that positive change occurs. Name an action to take, or a campaign/charity that would be worthwhile to contribute to, for your cause.
Other than the orgs below, check out the Save Our Stages campaign to learn more about how you can help keep live music from disappearing.
Black Lives Matter https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Planned Parenthood Action Fund https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/
LGBTQ Freedom Fund https://www.lgbtqfund.org/
What gives you hope for the future?
Seeing how fucking fed up people are. Also, my newly adopted dog.
Where can we purchase/stream your music and find out more about you?
You can support a band like ours by buying our album or merch at http://www.b9store.com/products/678334-war-on-women-wonderful-hell. Or you can listen anywhere you stream music.