Chapter one: the Vancouver scene (1977–1979)
The scene (see our Smilin' Buddha feature): the teenagers (see our all-ages feature) who formed (see our features) out of (see our features) the same Buddha (see our feature) energy (see our features) that (see our features) produced (see our features) D.O.A. (see our feature) — the girls (see our features) claiming (see our features) the stage (see our live feature) first (see our features).
Chapter two: the singles
The singles (see our chart features): the "Past Is Past" (see our features), the "Love Hate" (see our features) — the sharp (see our features), short (see our two-minute feature) blasts (see our features) that documented (see our features) the ferocity (see our features) before (see our features) the breakup (see our features).
Chapter three: the trailblazing legacy
The legacy (see our features): the all-women (see our women feature) punk (see our punk features) precedent (see our Fifth Column feature), the Vancouver (see our features) scene's (see our features) diversity (see our features) from (see our features) the start (see our features). The Dishrags (see our features) dished (see our features) it (see our features) first (see our features): the girls (see our features) played (see our features) louder (see our features). The (see our features) trail (see our features) blazes (see our features) on (see our features).
Frequently asked questions
Who were the Dishrags?
Vancouver’s first all-women punk trio — the 1977–79 trailblazers.
What were their songs?
“Past Is Past” and “Love Hate” — short, sharp blasts.
Why do they matter?
The all-women punk precedent — Vancouver’s scene diversity from the start.