Tacocat

Tacocat is an American punk rock band from Seattle, founded by Emily Nokes, Bree McKenna, Lelah Maupin, and Eric Randall. The band emerged in an era defined by house shows, DIY tours organized through MySpace, and the creation of catchy feminist pop-punk songs. Their approach, marked by lyrical honesty and humor, contributed to building a dedicated fanbase that supported them from small venues to sold-out shows at the Showbox. The members share a mutual appreciation for 1990s music, the riot grrrl movement, and the film "Waterworld."

Tacocat's foundation in the DIY culture of indie music reflects a commitment to self-sufficiency and innovation. The band released its debut album, "Shame Spiral," followed by the EPs "Take Me to Your Dealer" and "Woman's Day" after signing with Hardly Art, a Sub Pop imprint. Tacocat gained broader recognition with the release of the album "NVM," which received positive reviews from outlets such as Pitchfork, AllMusic, and PopMatters, and reached the CMJ top 10 college radio albums. The band frequently addresses feminist themes with humor and sarcasm, as exemplified by the song "Crimson Wave," a period-positive anthem whose music video attracted significant attention on YouTube.

The third album, "Lost Time," was released on Hardly Art Records and featured singles including "I Hate the Weekend" and "Talk." Tacocat also recorded the theme song for the Powerpuff Girls reboot. During the writing of "Lost Time," Nokes drew inspiration from the science fiction series The X-Files, with the album title referencing the show's pilot episode and the opening track celebrating the character Dana Katherine Scully. Tacocat has performed at major music festivals, including Coachella.

"This Mess Is a Place," the band's fourth full-length album and first on Sub Pop, explores responses to social and political upheaval, with songs examining power structures and societal interactions. The album incorporates themes of hope, personal connection, and feminist science fiction, drawing comparisons to the work of Ursula K. Le Guin.

Tacocat has contributed to sustaining Seattle's punk subculture by applying DIY principles and supporting a resurgence of feminist-leaning indie punk bands. Their focus on self-produced releases and grassroots touring has helped maintain the vitality of punk's underground scene, inspiring local acts to address issues such as patriarchy and consumerism through music. The band's albums have received favorable critical reception within indie and punk circles, noted for their wit, energetic performances, and integration of feminist themes with pop-punk elements. With a discography ranging from early DIY recordings to releases on Sub Pop, Tacocat continues to be a significant presence in contemporary punk rock and feminist music.