An unconventional group of menopausal women come together to form a punk band in Sally Wainwright’s latest Sunday night series, Riot Women, airing on BBC One. The six-part series, with episode 2 airing at 9pm tonight or available on iPlayer, offers a nostalgic look back for Gina Birch and Ana da Silva, who founded the punk band The Raincoats almost five decades ago.
Gina, aged 70, and Ana, aged 77, who met as art students in London in the Seventies, describe themselves as “polar opposites” but formed a strong bond that led to the creation of their band. The punk scene in London during that time, with bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols, provided a platform for rebellion and self-expression, especially for Ana, who found the city to be a symbol of freedom compared to her upbringing in a dictatorship in Portugal.
Their journey into punk music was fueled by a sense of liberation and a desire to challenge societal norms. Inspired by bands like The Slits, Gina and Ana ventured into the music scene, eventually forming The Raincoats in 1977. Despite facing creative tensions and eventual breakup in 1983, their music found new life years later with the unexpected endorsement from Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
The Nirvana connection reignited interest in The Raincoats, leading to reissues of their albums and a resurgence in their musical career. An offer to tour with Nirvana was tragically cut short by Kurt Cobain’s untimely death in 1994, but his influence continued to guide The Raincoats, eventually leading to the release of their fourth album, Looking in the Shadows.
Ana and Gina reflect on Kurt Cobain’s impact on their lives, considering him a guardian angel who elevated their place in music history. While The Raincoats may no longer perform, their legacy remains intertwined with the spirit of punk rock and the enduring influence of their music.
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