The Story of the Pioneering Female Punk Band The Lunachicks

This episode of All Of It explores the groundbreaking legacy of The Lunachicks, a pioneering all-female punk band formed in 1987 at LaGuardia High School and active through the 1990s. Hosted by Alison Stewart, the show features director Ilya Chaikin and band members Theo Kogan and Gina Volpe, discussing their journey from teenage art students to influential figures in New York's punk scene. The documentary 'Pretty Ugly: The Story of the Lunachicks'—now streaming and in theaters—chronicles their theatrical performances, DIY ethos, and resilience in a male-dominated industry, while highlighting their early influence from John Waters, Alice Cooper, and the glam rock era. The band’s unapologetic feminism, queer visibility, and radical stagecraft, including menstrual blood on stage and provocative visuals, challenged norms and inspired generations. Despite facing sexism, industry gatekeeping, and personal struggles, the band maintained a deep sisterhood that sustained them through hiatuses and personal challenges. The episode reflects on how far women in music have come—and how much further they still need to go.