War On Women
Baltimore's co-ed feminist hardcore — Shawna Potter's righteous fury over pummeling riffs, confrontational, necessary, and a Fest force.
War On Women grew out of a long working relationship between guitarist Brooks Harlan and vocalist Shawna Potter, who Harlan recruited in 2003 to sing and play guitar in an earlier Baltimore indie-rock band, AVEC. Potter has cited seeing Courtney Love play guitar as what first pushed her toward music. The two formed War On Women in 2010, drawing directly on the riot grrrl bands Potter grew up on.
The band plays co-ed hardcore punk with lyrics aimed squarely at misogyny, sexual violence, reproductive rights and harassment, delivered in Potter's declamatory shout over fast, thickly distorted riffs.
Their discography runs from the six-song debut EP Improvised Weapons in 2012 through three full-lengths on Bridge Nine Records: a self-titled 2015 album and 2018's Capture the Flag, both recorded with J. Robbins of Jawbox, and 2020's Wonderful Hell. Harlan has pointed to Fugazi, Bad Brains, At the Drive-In, Metallica and Slayer as touchstones alongside less obvious names like Suzanne Vega and Ben Folds Five. The band signed to Smartpunk Records in 2025.
Beyond the band, Potter has worked as an advocate against street harassment and for safer music venues, an interest that carries into War On Women's records and the blunt spoken introductions that frame their songs live.
Festivals War On Women is playing
War On Women at a glance
What festivals is War On Women playing in 2026?
War On Women is booked at 1 festival: The Fest 2026.
When does War On Women play at The Fest?
Saturday, October 24, 10:30 – 11:10 PM at Vivid Music Hall.
Where is War On Women from?
War On Women is from Baltimore, MD.
What kind of music does War On Women play?
War On Women is tagged hardcore punk and feminist punk.
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