Automated Attack Monkeys, Scalpel Mines, & Acid

At this point, I feel the duty to point people towards punk-rock band Legend in Japan. Partly on the grounds that no-one else will, partly on the grounds that they're my main source of squee at the moment, but primarily that they're the best new act I've heard this year. Even better than Frances Wood.

The only reason why I hesitate is that their singer / songwriter / creative egg really really doesn't like being pigeon-holed as a female^* band, as though that were something notable in its own right. "Cor! A bunch of women playing punk rock. How exotic and novel." No: it's great music, which just so happens to be written and played by women.

On my travels with ver Legends, I've come across Zoëtrøpe (with røck ümlauts to distinguish from the Chicago band), and Hearts Under Fire, both are all-female rock-to-punk bands, both deserve a closer examination than I've yet been able to give.

^* And a male drummer. Since the linked publicity photos were taken, one of the members has been replaced.