Spitboy “The Threat/Sexism Impressed” b/w “Ultimate Violations” 1991. Lookout! Records. Today, the last Wednesday in April, is “Denim Day,” which began in the late 90’s after a convicted rapist’s sentenced was overturned when the Italian court agreed with the insane argument that the victim was wearing tight jeans so the sexual encounter had to be consensual. The wearing of denim on this day is now an international protest against sexual violence. Anarcho-hardcore punks Spitboy was an all-women band in the early-to-mid 90’s; this 7″ was their first release and the three tracks are 100% anti-rape, anti-violence against women.

The A-side has the super-angry, super-catchy “The Threat” with the lyrics “Do you know what it is like to walk down the street at night. Do you know what it is like to feel the threat…It’s finally time to stop all the violence Time for us to take back the night.” (The first “Take Back the Night” marches started back in the early 70’s. I’m not sure how active they are today but they were a pretty big deal in the early 90’s and I went to a couple of them while in college.) Also on Side A is “Sexism Impressed,” a dark, mid-tempo growler calls out compliance to the patriarchy: “We sit idle and submissively accept. By not confronting we aquiesce to the situation. The way you facilitate the promotion of bullshit. The way you unquestioningly proceed with the image.” On Side B (or the “Nipple Side”) is “Ultimate Violations” a hardcore rager which begins with recorded man/woman on the street quotes “We have to support women who are raped. We have to empower them to stand up and fight,” “No means no,” “Rape is rape. Rape means if the girl doesn’t want to have sex, the bottom line is it’s rape,” and then Spitboy launches into a heart-ripping description of sexual violation aftermath. It’s a tough 45 to listen to but the message is clear, and important.