Information/Write-up
Formed in Toronto in 1977, The B-Girls emerged as one of Canada’s most dynamic and original all-female punk-pop groups. The idea was born in the women’s bathroom at a Thin Lizzy concert, where strangers Cynthia Ross and Lucasta Ross (no relation) decided to start a band—despite the fact that neither played an instrument. Inspired by the Ramones, the Ronettes, and a glaring lack of female-led rock acts in the city, they envisioned a band that fused punk energy with 1960s girl-group harmonies.
They soon recruited Cynthia’s sister Rhonda Ross on drums and Lucasta’s high school friend Xenia Holiday (Xenia Splawinski) on guitar. They began rehearsing, writing original songs, and by fall 1977 had landed their first show—opening for The Viletones at Club David’s, a gay bar in Toronto. With their striped shirts, deadpan cool, and DIY ethos, The B-Girls quickly became fixtures on the city’s punk scene, playing Crash ‘n’ Burn, The Horseshoe, and The El Mocambo (where they were the first unsigned band ever to perform). Their fan club, The B-Set, helped cement their cult status.
By 1979, the band relocated to New York City, drawn by its thriving club circuit. They played iconic venues like CBGB, Max’s Kansas City, The Peppermint Lounge, and Hurrah. Offers came from IRS Records and Polygram, but the band refused to conform to industry expectations that would replace their members with studio pros. Instead, they kept their independence intact, recording with producer Bob Segarini and releasing their debut 45 on Bomp! Records: “Fun at the Beach” b/w “B-Side.” The single was distributed internationally and featured on Bomp! compilations Waves and Experiments in Destiny.
The B-Girls also provided background vocals for Stiv Bators on his Disconnected LP (1979), and for Blondie on Autoamerican (1980) after being spotted live at the Whisky a Go Go in L.A.
The original lineup began to shift when Lucasta (now performing as Lucasta Rochas) left the night before they were scheduled to open for The Clash in Toronto. Rhonda soon followed. Cynthia and Xenia reformed the group with Renée Schuls-Jacobson (guitar) and Marcy Saddy (drums, ex-Demics). This lineup did eventually open for The Clash a year later and continued to record, perform, and even film a low-budget video for “High School Dance.” Drummer Teddy Brunetti also joined in the group’s final years.
By 1982, The B-Girls had quietly disbanded. But their impact lived on. Vancouver’s Riff Randells covered several B-Girls originals, and their lone single became a cult favorite among collectors. In 2017, Bomp! released the compilation Bad Not Evil, featuring unreleased tracks from 1977–1982.
After the B-Girls:
Lucasta Rochas went on to form Minutes From Downtown, scoring a dance hit with “Wrapped in Velvet,” and later took over her father Mort Ross’s Revolver Records catalog.
Cynthia Ross relocated to New York and formed the punk group New York Junk in 2013.
Marcy Saddy became a visual artist and percussionist in London, Ontario.
Xenia Holiday left the music business entirely.
Though they never released a full LP during their original run, The B-Girls remain an iconic force in Canadian punk history—proof that you didn’t need a record deal to be a real band, just guts, grit, and a voice of your own.
-Robert Williston
The “B” Girls Family Tree:
Xenia Splawinski: vocals, guitar (1977–1982)
Cynthia Ross: bass, vocals (1977–1982)
Lucasta Ross: vocals (1977–1979)
Rhonda Ross: drums (1977–1979)
Marcy Saddy: drums, vocals (1979–1980)
Renee Schuls-Jacobson: guitar, vocals (1979–1982)
Teddy Brunetti: drums, vocals (1980–1982)
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