Sister Soundcheck: 70s Canadian Girl Groups
As the 1960s came to a close, the golden age of matching dresses, major label girl group polish, and regional pop hits began to fade. But in Canada, a new wave of all-female musical voices was already starting to stir — this time rougher around the edges, louder, more political, and fiercely independent.
While many of the 1960s all-girl groups operated within soul-pop conventions, the women of the 1970s were making noise in basements, clubs, and community spaces. They weren’t just singing love songs — they were writing their own lyrics, playing their own instruments, and often fighting for space in scenes that barely acknowledged them. The era saw a shift from girl group to all-girl band — from harmonized elegance to self-amplified defiance.
Some of these bands emerged in direct opposition to the dominant industry models. The Curse, for example, formed in Toronto in 1977 without knowing how to play a single chord — yet within weeks they were sharing bills with the Viletones, shocking CBGB in New York, and releasing what became one of the most controversial singles in Canadian punk history. Across the country in Victoria, three teenage girls formed The Dishrags, soon becoming the first all-female band in Vancouver’s punk scene and opening for The Clash before they were out of high school.
Meanwhile, Toronto also birthed the stylish and sharp-edged B-Girls, whose love of ‘60s girl-group pop collided with punk energy. Backed by Ramones producer Craig Leon and supported by Blondie, they became darlings of both CBGB and Max’s Kansas City. In parallel, the politically charged Mama Quilla II emerged out of Toronto’s feminist and queer organizing circles — mixing rock and funk with protest lyrics. Co-founded by Lorraine Segato, they helped set the stage for the Parachute Club and Canada’s broader LGBTQ+ musical visibility.
Not all of the decade’s contributions came from punk clubs and art collectives. In London, Ontario, a different kind of all-girl ensemble emerged: Pat’s People, a faith-based folk group formed at St. Patrick’s Church. Their privately pressed LP Today featured young women — including a 14-year-old Denise Pelley, now one of Canada’s leading jazz vocalists — harmonizing on folk and spiritual songs with sincerity and surprising musical maturity. While stylistically removed from the punkers, Pat’s People reflected the same independent spirit, documenting their voices on vinyl at a time when few all-female groups in Canada had that opportunity.
One of the few groups to make it onto national television and radio was The Peaches, a Brampton sibling trio who blended commercial pop appeal with disco-funk touches, releasing two LPs and appearing coast to coast. Though sonically far from the punkers, The Peaches too were a proudly independent female group — fronting a band, not just a vocal act, and pushing themselves into the national spotlight with grit and professionalism.
In Winnipeg, The Wurst laid groundwork for what would become a more active prairie punk scene, leading to the eventual formation of bands like The Ruggedy Annes, who first appeared on vinyl in 1985 but carried the spirit of these late-'70s pioneers. And The She Trinity, who had made waves in the U.K. in the late 1960s, briefly extended their run into Canada with a final garage-pop single in 1970 — symbolically closing the door on one era and opening another.
Most of these groups operated on the fringes of Canada’s fragmented music industry. They played in church basements, illegal after-hours clubs, and community centers. They self-funded or scraped together recording time. Some were ignored, some were vilified, and a few, like the Peaches and the B-Girls, almost broke through. But all of them mattered.
Where the 1960s girl groups brought glamour and charm to Canada’s regional pop scenes, the 1970s bands brought noise, agency, and attitude. They proved that women didn’t just belong in the spotlight — they belonged behind the amps, in the pit, on the tour bus, and in the studio. Their work laid the foundation for a coming wave of all-female Canadian bands in the 1980s, including Tú, Voggue, Suzy Q, Chéri, and many others who would find greater commercial support but still owe a debt to the fearless women who kicked down the doors first.
🎶 This playlist is an evolving archive, and new additions will be made as more long-lost tracks, tapes, and stories surface.
-Robert Williston
Peaches, The
Curse - Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve)
Peaches, The
1981-05-25 Pre-Stranglers Party2-Zellots, Nach Dem Tode, and Radio 4
Fun At The Beach b/w 'B' Side
45-B Girls-Fun at the Beach VINYL 01
7
10
14
Dishrags Photo
unnamed
Three
B Girls - Who Says Girls Cant Rock
45-Dishrags-Past Is Past BACK
2
Peaches, The
Peaches, The - ST
Peaches, The
Zellots
Zellots
Concert - Venue Change
Zellots
Zellots
Scan369mod
Overholt, Tate and Phillips - ST GATEFOLD INSIDE 01
Overholt, Tate and Phillips
Zellots Frys spring 1981
Zellots Frys spring 1981
Zellots Frys spring 1981
Zellots Frys spring 1981
She Trinity - Hair bw Climb That Tree (2)
She Trinity (4)
She Trinity
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BACK
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate CD
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 5-6
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 11-12
The Peaches
DISHRAGS (1)
TheWurst2-by-GordieAgar_720_490_90
DISHRAGS 002
Pack My Bags b/w Let Me Love You
45-Nora - Pack My Bags bw Let Me Love You VINYL 02
Curse
Peaches, The - We Care About What You Hear b/w Ain't a Girl Allowed to Cry
Zellots
Zellots
Zellots (2)
Zellots Frys spring 1981
Overholt, Tate and Phillips - ST GATEFOLD INSIDE 02
Pat's People - Today
Curse - Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve)
Today
Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve)
45-B Girls-Fun at the Beach BACK
45-B Girls-Fun at the Beach VINYL 02
Pat's People-Today LABEL 01
15
16
B Girls - Who Says Girls Cant Rock
B Girls - Who Says Girls Cant Rock
B Girls - Who Says Girls Cant Rock
unnamed (1)
12
Past Is Past (EP)
45-Dishrags-Past Is Past VINYL 01
45-Dishrags-Past Is Past VINYL 02
Dishrags
3
4
5
6
11
Peaches, The
ST
Peaches, The - ST
Peaches, The
4C's
Top of the World
4C's - Top of the World BACK
DISHRAGS 004
POSTER THE CURSE ISABELLA HOTEL
We Care About What You Hear b/w Ain't a Girl Allowed to Cry
Peaches, The - We Care About What You Hear b/w Ain't a Girl Allowed to Cry
Peaches, The - We Care About What You Hear b/w Ain't a Girl Allowed to Cry
DISHRAGS 003
DISHRAGS 1977
DISHRAGS 001
DISHRAGS 006
Hair b/w Climb That Tree
She Trinity (1)
She Trinity (3)
She Trinity (5)
'B' Girls
Teenage Meat
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat INLAY
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat CD
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 13-14
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 11-12
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 09-10
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 07-08
Love/Hate
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate INLAY
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 9-10
DISHRAGS 005
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 3-4
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 13-14
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 1-2
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BACK
DISHRAGS 007 SEATTLE 1979
CURSE TEENAGE MEAT 001
CURSE TEENAGE MEAT 002
CURSE TEENAGE MEAT 003
The Wurst Nov 8-1980 - Winnipeg all female punk band
TheWurst1-by-GordieAgar_481_720_90
Pat's People
Whiskey Runner b/w Keep Lookin' Round
45-Simone and Nora - Whiskey Runner bw Keep Lookin' Round VINYL 02
Simone and Nora (Simone and Nora Hart)
Direct to Disc
Overholt, Tate and Phillips - ST BACK
Curse - Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve)
Pat's People-Today LABEL 02
Who Says Girls Can't Rock
There's No Dee Dee
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 05-06
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 03-04
CD-Curse - Teenage Meat BOOKLET PAGES 01-02
CD-Dishrags - Love Hate BOOKLET PAGES 7-8
76-05-featureheader_1100_519_90
Sister Soundcheck 70s Canadian Girl Groups
Tracks
| Artist | Track | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dishrags | Double Checkin' Woman | Three | 01:44 | |
| 'B' Girls | Two Hearts | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:18 | |
| Dishrags | Cement | Love/Hate | 01:55 | |
| 'B' Girls | Mystery | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:25 | |
| Curse | Shoeshine Boy | Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve) | 02:26 | |
| Curse | If it Tastes so Great, Swallow it Yerself! (live) | Teenage Meat | 01:46 | |
| Dishrags | Nowhere To Hide | Love/Hate | 04:09 | |
| Peaches, The | There's the Door | ST | 02:56 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Baby Come Back | Direct to Disc | 04:18 | |
| Peaches, The | Listen to the Music | ST | 02:59 | |
| Pat's People | What Have They Done to the Rain | Today | 03:28 | |
| Zellots | Let's Play House | Zellots | 01:51 | |
| Dishrags | Bullshit | There's No Dee Dee | 01:08 | |
| 'B' Girls | Two Hearts | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:18 | |
| Dishrags | High Society Snob | Three | 01:17 | |
| Dishrags | Double Checkin' Woman | Three | 01:44 | |
| Zellots | Vampire Love | Zellots | 01:22 | |
| Curse | Feelin' Dirty (demo) | Teenage Meat | 02:20 | |
| Curse | Killer Bees | Shoeshine Boy b/w Killer Bees (picture sleeve) | 03:02 | |
| Dishrags | You Fit The Picture | Love/Hate | 01:58 | |
| Curse | Somethin' Ya Can't Tell Your Mother (demo) | Teenage Meat | 02:10 | |
| 4C's | Almost Persuaded | Top of the World | 02:39 | |
| Peaches, The | I'd Love You to Want Me | ST | 03:35 | |
| Pat's People | Less of Me | Today | 02:20 | |
| Dishrags | Just Another Girl | Three | 01:51 | |
| 4C's | And Then He Kissed Me | Top of the World | 01:41 | |
| Dishrags | High Society Snob (live) | There's No Dee Dee | 01:33 | |
| Peaches, The | I Am Woman | ST | 03:03 | |
| 4C's | Tie a Yellow Ribbon | Top of the World | 02:25 | |
| Curse | Switchblade Love | Teenage Meat | 03:28 | |
| Peaches, The | My Number One | ST | 02:32 | |
| Dishrags | Love Is Shit (It's Goodbye) | Past Is Past (EP) | 01:19 | |
| Dishrags | Quick Step | Three | 02:44 | |
| 'B' Girls | Big Girl | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 04:00 | |
| 'B' Girls | Fun at the Beach (live) | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 02:18 | |
| Dishrags | Quick Step | Three | 02:44 | |
| 'B' Girls | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:15 | |
| Dishrags | Tormented | Past Is Past (EP) | 01:06 | |
| Dishrags | Vicious | Love/Hate | 01:58 | |
| 'B' Girls | Savage Fever | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:19 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | That Special Feeling | Direct to Disc | 03:43 | |
| Curse | Oh My God (demo) | Teenage Meat | 02:00 | |
| 4C's | Java | Top of the World | 01:36 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Peg | Direct to Disc | 03:37 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Look to the Light | Direct to Disc | 04:08 | |
| Dishrags | Sold Out | Love/Hate | 02:15 | |
| Pat's People | We Shall Overcome | Today | 05:15 | |
| Pat's People | Michael | Today | 02:24 | |
| Curse | I Accuse You (demo) | Teenage Meat | 03:03 | |
| Dishrags | What Do You Want Me To Be? | Three | 01:34 | |
| 'B' Girls | Long Distance Love (live) | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:20 | |
| 4C's | Via Con Dios | Top of the World | 02:06 | |
| Dishrags | I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You | Love/Hate | 01:23 | |
| 'B' Girls | Alibi | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:10 | |
| Dishrags | Gang War | Love/Hate | 02:55 | |
| 'B' Girls | Fun at the Beach | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 01:58 | |
| Curse | Johnny Feels Good (live) | Teenage Meat | 01:27 | |
| 4C's | Just a Closer Walk | Top of the World | 02:06 | |
| 'B' Girls | 'B' Side | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 02:14 | |
| Pat's People | Turn, Turn, Turn | Today | 03:23 | |
| She Trinity | Climb That Tree | Hair b/w Climb That Tree | 03:37 | |
| Dishrags | Friday Nite Date | Love/Hate | 02:11 | |
| 'B' Girls | Alibi | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:09 | |
| 4C's | I Can See Clearly | Top of the World | 02:07 | |
| Dishrags | Cravin' A ... | Love/Hate | 01:38 | |
| Pat's People | To-day | Today | 03:19 | |
| Dishrags | Quiet Little Table | Love/Hate | 02:40 | |
| Curse | Somethin' Ya Can't Tell Your Mother | Teenage Meat | 02:23 | |
| Nora | Pack My Bags | Pack My Bags b/w Let Me Love You | 02:47 | |
| 'B' Girls | Jealousy | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 02:28 | |
| Dishrags | Loving Person | Love/Hate | 02:02 | |
| Dishrags | Just Another Girl | Three | 01:51 | |
| 4C's | 12th Street Rag | Top of the World | 02:17 | |
| Pat's People | Changes | Today | 03:27 | |
| 4C's | Top of the World | Top of the World | 02:09 | |
| 'B' Girls | Hearts in His Eyes | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 03:44 | |
| Curse | Raw | Teenage Meat | 01:37 | |
| Pat's People | Dona Dona | Today | 03:32 | |
| Dishrags | Can't Wait | Love/Hate | 01:09 | |
| 4C's | Let Me be There | Top of the World | 02:29 | |
| Curse | Eat Me (demo) | Teenage Meat | 02:17 | |
| Peaches, The | Sealed With a Kiss | ST | 02:56 | |
| Peaches, The | We Care About What You Hear | We Care About What You Hear b/w Ain't a Girl Allowed to Cry | 03:00 | |
| Peaches, The | You're So Vain | ST | 04:28 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Dancin' | Direct to Disc | 04:11 | |
| Dishrags | I Don't Love You | There's No Dee Dee | 01:44 | |
| 'B' Girls | 'B' Side | Fun At The Beach b/w 'B' Side | 02:14 | |
| Dishrags | Rebel Kind | Three | 01:58 | |
| 4C's | Why Me Lord | Top of the World | 02:43 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Day Light | Direct to Disc | 04:04 | |
| Peaches, The | Ready and Willing | ST | 03:31 | |
| Overholt, Tate and Phillips | Get Away | Direct to Disc | 03:06 | |
| Dishrags | Silence | Love/Hate | 02:37 | |
| 'B' Girls | Alibi | Who Says Girls Can't Rock | 02:46 | |
| Peaches, The | Song Sung Blue | ST | 03:15 | |
| Zellots | On the Dole | Zellots | 02:03 | |
| Curse | Eat Me | Teenage Meat | 02:43 | |
| Simone and Nora (Simone and Nora Hart) | Whiskey Runner | Whiskey Runner b/w Keep Lookin' Round | 02:57 | |
| 4C's | Sound of Silence | Top of the World | 02:39 | |
| 4C's | Memories | Top of the World | 02:08 |
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