THE GITS

To be honest I never took the time before yesterday to really listen to THE GITS, although I had heard of them as one of the hundreds of bands that rose out of Seattle in the early 90's, it wasn't until I watch THE GITS Documentary that I truly understood what they were all about. THE GITS formed in 1986 at Antioch College in Ohio. They then all moved to a house in Seattle which they called THE RATHOUSE. It was here they practiced, put on awesome fucking shows, and even helped their friends put together the riot grrrl band 7 YEAR BITCH. The Gits were fronted by Mia Zapata, who had a distinctly passionate and bluesy voice rarely found in punk music. It sort of reminds me of Stevie Nicks but with more soul like Bessie Smith. By 1993 the band had gained a pretty big following on the west coast and was able to tour all around the US and Europe. On July 7th, 1993 after playing a solo show and leaving the bar, Mia Zapata disappeared on her way home. She was found dead an hour a half later. She had been raped, beaten and strangled, so much that they could only identify her body by a tattoo on her leg.
The story of THE GITS is tragic, but a few positive outcomes have finally surfaced. After 10 years, the killer was finally found by saliva DNA, and sentenced to 36 years in prison (although i think he deserves life in jail.) and Mia's friends, including the women of 7 Year Bitch started HOME ALIVE A nonprofit self defense organization.
I really hope people don't forget this band, not just because of what happened to Mia, but because they put out some really fucking good music.
I also recommend everyone watch THE GITS DOCUMENTARY.



Frenching the Bully
Enter: The Conquering Chicken (pt 1)
Enter: The Conquering Chicken (pt 2)
Kings and Queens
SeaFish Louisville