Babes in Toyland

The Profile

Babes in Toyland are an American alternative punk/noise rock band from Minneapolis, formed in 1987 by vocalist/guitarist Kat Bjelland and drummer Lori Barbero. With bassist Maureen Herman, they forged a ferocious sound across releases including Spanking Machine, Fontanelle, and Nemesisters.

American trio formed in Minneapolis in 1987; classic lineup: Kat Bjelland (vocals/guitar), Lori Barbero (drums), Maureen Herman (bass); active 1987–2001 with a brief reunion 2014–2015.

Three impassioned reviews zero in on Babes in Toyland’s feral alternative punk. Fontanelle is crowned a masterpiece of foxcore, praised for visceral honesty and genre-splicing. Nemesisters gets a robust defense for its melody, blues tint, and experiments. Themes circle rage, survival, and the mother wound, with standout tracks like Bruise Violet, Right Now, and Mother.