Recently, I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, when I came upon a post from the group Junkshop Bubble Gum Glam and Glitter. It read, “Japanese ‘70s all-girl glam/punk band GIRLS covering the Runaways!,” with a link to YouTube.

*Click*

The song and the fan-made video, which includes images of the group, did not disappoint. Soon I was falling down the rabbit hole, trying to find more of their tunes, as well as information and imagery related to the GIRLS. The band isn’t all that well-known outside of Japan, and as their name’s been used by so many other groups, it was a challenge. But I believe I came through for you, dear reader.

GIRLS consisted of five members, who all adopted nicknames: Gill (bass and vocal), Ilia (lead guitar), Rita (lead vocal), Lena (guitar), Sadie (drums). Notice that the first letter of each name spells “GIRLS.” Their discography includes two studio albums and three singles, with quite a few covers.
 

 
“Cherry Bomb” is the B-side of their debut single, and was also included on their first album, Noraneko (Google translation: “Stray Cat”); both records were released in 1977. As she does on other GIRLS songs, Rita alternates between singing in Japanese and in English on “Cherry Bomb.” It’s a solid cover.
 

 
Visual images of the Runaways, which frequently included a teenage Cherie Currie wearing sexually suggestive outfits, raised eyebrows in the States, so the GIRLS, who adopted this image for the Japanese market, must have made quite the impression in their home country, which is more socially conservative. In both countries—worldwide, really—all-female rock bands who played their own instruments were rare.
 
Much more after the jump…