The Gits

On its surface, the idea or memory of the Gits carries with it an undertone of urban darkness and human waste, but the story would be unfairly abbreviated if the killing of vocalist Mia Zapata exclusively defined the group. That is in part because the Gits in life and action helped define something themselves, if not a movement, then a place and time. A very particular brand of punk with a distinct perspective was emanating out of the American northwest during the early '90s, and the Gits were instrumental contributors to this new scene. Perhaps inspired by the honesty and iconoclastic sentiment purveyed by some early (mostly male) grunge bands, certain female artists and musicians began to explore new angles and ideals in the sonic and physical expression of their anger, hope, and existence. Although these riot grrrls as they were often called, generally got lumped into the grunge category, their music often lacked the fat '70s retro guitar riffs and mid- to slow-tempo bombast of the more Black Sabbath-influenced male grunge artists. While many of these groups played the same clubs in Seattle and surrounding areas, and although they often expressed similar political (even feminist) ideals in their lyrics, there was a punk aggression, a palpable and uncompromising commitment that amounted to a way of life for many of the female groups. Being 75 percent male, the Gits hardly qualify as a girl group, but Mia Zapata embodied the group in the eyes of many of their fans. Zapata was an extraordinary example (and ultimately the unofficial patron saint) of riot grrrl intensity, talent, and humanity.

After coming together in Ohio in 1986, the Gits (Zapata, guitarist Joe Spleen, drummer Steve Moriarty, and bassist Matt Dresdner) moved to Seattle a few years later to immerse themselves in the city's burgeoning music scene. It wasn't very long before the Gits had developed a solid following in their adopted home and a strong position in the city's underground punk movement. The word spread as the Gits embarked on successful domestic and international tours in the early '90s (all without the support of a record label.) In 1992, the debut Frenching the Bully was independently released, and the reviews were almost unanimously positive. Zapata's ballistic on-stage persona and aggressive vocals were almost legendary by this time and it seemed inevitable that the Gits and Zapata were going to grow out of the regional success they enjoyed and bask in the national music spotlight.

Before the group could finish their second release, Enter the Conquering Chicken, Zapata was raped and murdered while on her way home from a Seattle pub July 7, 1993. This event sensitized many female artists (especially musicians in Seattle, the West Coast, and all of America) to the paradoxical twists inherent in their expressions of this new philosophy and lifestyle of empowerment. Unfortunately, no amount of rage, street smarts, or outwardly "unfeminine" physicality could dissuade evil men from imposing their will upon even the strongest women within their own ranks. Living a nightlife, working as equals with men, sharing and being rewarded for their alternative ideas about sexual politics and gender roles, it is no doubt that a large group of young female musicians and artists became emboldened (possibly to a degree dangerous to their own safety). While emotionally empowering, this riot grrrl ethos carried no exemption from the physical dangers women have tragically encountered and endured throughout history. The loss of Zapata was symbolic in that it reminded many just how far they still had to go before their own gender would cease to be a weapon, with ultimate potential, that could be used against their own invaluable personage.

Realizing this, friends of Zapata, including 7 Year Bitch drummer Valerie Agnew and visual artist Stacey Westcott, founded Home Alive, an organization created to educate and fund self-defense. Among their efforts, Home Alive released a CD, The Art of Self Defense, that featured recordings of Zapata, Joan Jett, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, and many others. The organization has also held benefit concerts, using all profits to conduct and fund self-defense classes and seminars. Inspired by Zapata's music (and tragic death) Jett didn't stop with her contribution to the Home Alive release, she also made a critically acclaimed music video in which she portrays a stalking victim not unlike Zapata and in 1996, Jett released a record with the surviving Gits under the moniker Evil Stig ("Gits live" spelled backwards). The disc featured much Zapata material, including a duet that had Jett singing along with previously recorded tracks of the late vocalist.

Besides Enter the Conquering Chicken, two other posthumous releases followed the demise of the Gits: Kings and Queens, released in 1996, is a live recording of a 1988 show in Ohio and Seafish Louisville features more live and unreleased material. Evil Stig proved to be a relatively short-lived affair, and afterwards, the Gits moved on to other projects. Spleen has worked with Poison Idea, and Moriarty has played with the Pinkos and Saint Bushman's Choir among others.

Although there is no doubt about the tragic scope of the Gits and Mia Zapata, it is comforting to know that the deceased singer's talent and personality inspired something positive. The result of her death was not just suffering, but awareness, and at least a call to action. It's not been specifically documented whether that call has saved any lives, but it's comforting to think that it is possible. Zapata's energy, charisma, and strength helped create an identity -- an artistic, feminine, urban quintessence, to be cherished and fought for -- that is sadly lacking in so many faceless statistics.

from Wikipedia:

The Gits were an American punk rock band, formed in Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1986. Known for their part in the burgeoning Seattle music scene of the early 1990s, they were known for their fiery live performances. Members included singer Mia Zapata, guitarist Joe Spleen (born Andy Kessler), bassist Matt Dresdner and drummer Steve Moriarty. They dissolved in 1993 after the murder of Zapata.

During their existence, the band released two studio albums, one compilation of early recordings, one live recording, three 7” singles and appeared on various compilations. The band also recorded on a few independent labels, and released its two studio albums on C/Z Records. In 2003, each release in the band’s discography was remastered and expanded with bonus tracks on Broken Rekids.

Though the band never signed with a major label and never reached a mainstream audience, Zapata has nevertheless been cited as an influence by many female vocalists.

History

Formation and early history

The Gits met and formed in 1986 at Antioch College, a liberal arts school in Yellow Springs, Ohio. They called themselves the Snivelling Little Rat Faced Gits (a reference to a Monty Python skit, episode 21), but soon shortened the moniker to just "The Gits." In 1988 they recorded and self-released their "unofficial" debut album entitled Private Lubs with the help of friend Ben London (later of Alcohol Funnycar and solo). These recordings did not see widespread release though until 1996 when the album was reissued by the Broken Rekids label as Kings & Queens. After finishing school, they packed up and headed to Seattle, Washington in 1989 in search of greater opportunities.

Local following

After arriving in Seattle, the band set up shop at the now infamous 'Rathouse,' a Capitol Hill district house where the band rehearsed and lived. They quickly earned a following on the local scene and gained many friends, particularly in the city's punk rock community. During the early 1990s, buzz began surrounding the band, which caused some media outlets to erroneously lump them in with the then-burgeoning Seattle grunge music scene, and Zapata's persona led many to incorrectly associate The Gits with the Olympia, Washington riot grrrl movement.

Their first 'official' release surfaced in 1990 in the form of the "Precious Blood" single, released by the local Big Flaming Ego Records. This single was quickly followed up by two more releases ("Second Skin" on Broken Rekids (1991), "Spear & Magic Helmet" on Empty Records (1991), as well as the Bobbing For Pavement compilation (Rathouse/Broken Rekids, 1991) which featured The Gits alongside some of Seattle's best up-and-coming punk bands.

Increased following and disbandment

In 1992 the band recorded and released their debut album Frenching the Bully on the local C/Z Records to rave reviews. By this point, Seattle had become the 'next big thing' in mainstream music with several of its better known bands gaining national attention. The Gits themselves had gained quite a bit of notoriety by this point, thus allowing them to not only tour outside of Seattle, but also in Europe, despite the fact they had no permanent record label or other professional services to support them.

By 1993 it became clear that the Gits were on the verge of making it big with the band gaining the attention of major label record companies. Production began in mid-1993 on the band's second album entitled Enter: The Conquering Chicken, an album which was planned to be their breakthrough. The Gits seemed to be well on their way when, on the night of July 7, 1993, the group's charismatic singer and songwriter Mia Zapata was brutally raped and murdered while walking home from a bar.

Investigation of Zapata's murder

Immediate aftermath

After the initial shock of Zapata's murder, both the remaining members of the Gits and the Seattle musical community at large began an intensive investigation into her death. The Seattle Police Department initially focused their investigation on Zapata's circle of friends, believing that her murderer must have been someone she knew. Using funds generated by the Seattle music community (from benefit shows and CDs), as well as their own money, the remaining band members hired private investigator Leigh Hearon to supplement the police department's investigation. For over three years, Hearon and the Seattle Police Department investigated the crime with little or no breaks in the case. In 1996 the investigation first gained national attention in an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. It however did not open any new leads. The case was later highlighted on several other TV shows including A&E's American Justice, Cold Case Files, City Confidential, CBS's 48 Hours, FOX's America's Most Wanted, and TruTV's Forensic Files.

Finding the killer

Seven years passed with few new leads in the case, until a random DNA check conducted by the Seattle PD's Cold Case Unit and the Washington State Crime Lab led to the arrest of Cuban-American fisherman Jesus Mezquia. Mezquia, who briefly lived in Seattle during the time of Zapata's murder, was linked to the crime in 2003 when a DNA profile was extracted from a saliva sample left on Zapata's body; Mezquia had bitten her breast. It had been kept in cold storage until the STR technology was developed for full extraction. An original entry in 2001 failed to generate a positive result, but Mezquia's DNA entered the national databank after he was arrested for burglary in Florida in 2002.

On March 25, 2004, a jury convicted Mezquia of Zapata's murder and sentenced him to 36 years in prison, the maximum allowed in the case under Washington state law.

Legacy

Home Alive

In the aftermath of Zapata's murder, friends created a non-profit self-defense group called Home Alive, which ceased operations in 2010, organized benefit concerts and CDs with the participation of Seattle's music elite, such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Heart, and the Presidents of the United States of America. The Home Alive group has its own instructors and seek to empower women with ways to protect themselves against predators. They hold a range of courses, from anger management and use of pepper spray to the martial arts.

Influence

Portland, Oregon-based alternative rock band Everclear dedicated their 1993 album World of Noise to Zapata. The California hardcore band Retching Red included a Gits cover ("Spear and Magic Helmet") on their debut album "Get Your Red Wings". Also, the alt-country band Richmond Fontaine have a tribute song to the band, called "The Gits".

Punk rock band 7 Year Bitch, who were good friends and briefly label mates of The Gits, named their 1994 album ¡Viva Zapata! in tribute to Mia Zapata. The album cover also featured a painting by artist Scott Musgrove featuring Zapata wearing bullet sashes. The song "M.I.A.," which explicitly deals with Zapata's death, appears on this album.

Films

In 1996, Hype!—a documentary about the Seattle scene, featuring The Gits—came out. Nine years later, in 2005, a movie chronicling the life of Mia Zapata during her time with The Gits was released. The final cut of the film was released theatrically in over 20 North American cities on July 7, 2008, the 15th memorial anniversary of Zapata's death. The following day saw the film released on DVD along with a Best of the Gits CD (both from Liberation Entertainment).

The story of the Gits was made into a documentary film, titled simply The Gits. The movie, directed by Kerri O'Kane, had its first screenings in 2005 at the Seattle International Film Festival to an overwhelmingly positive response. A finalized version of the film was accepted and screened at the 2007 SXSW (South By Southwest) Film Festival held March 9-March 17, 2007 in Austin, Texas.

Related projects

Following the posthumous completion of Enter: The Conquering Chicken, Spleen formed a hardcore punk band called the Dancing French Liberals of '48, and later toured briefly with hardcore legends Poison Idea. Dancing French Liberals of '48 featured all of the remaining Gits as well as longtime friend and guitarist Julian Gibson (ex-DC Beggars). Their music was, as expected, much in the vein of the Gits although with a more hardcore punk attitude. Together the Liberals issued an EP (Scream Clown Scream) and a full length album (Powerline) on the Broken Rekids label before disbanding in the late 90's.

Following Zapata's death, Joan Jett and Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna co-wrote a song (entitled "Go Home") inspired by Zapata's death. Jett also included a message at the end of her video for the song asking for any information anyone had in regard to Zapata's murder. After seeing the video the remaining members of the Gits approached Jett about touring with the band.

Jett agreed as she had long been a fan of The Gits. The band renamed themselves Evil Stig (Gits Live backwards), and toured in early 1995 playing a mix of Gits and Joan Jett songs, with a majority of the profits going towards Zapata's murder investigation. A self-titled album was issued later in the year, again with a majority of the profits going towards the investigation. While touring and recording with Evil Stig, Spleen, Dresdner and Moriarty also continued playing with the Dancing French Liberals of '48.

Moriarty later appeared in the punk rock band St. Bushmill's Choir as well as the more acoustic based Pinkos. In Jan 2012 Moriarty conducted a comprehensive audio interview with Music Life Radio about his life and career with extensive references to The Gits.