Anti-Scrunti Faction

Anti-Scrunti Faction (A.S.F.) was an American queercore punk trio that originated from Boulder, Colorado, and was active from 1984 to 1985. The band gained recognition for its bold stance on feminist and queer issues, and it played an influential role in the early queercore movement. Known for their raw energy and unapologetic lyrics, A.S.F. became a staple in the punk and riot grrrl scenes of the mid-1980s. The band members included Leslie Mah (bass and vocals), Tracie Thomas (guitar and vocals), and a rotating lineup of drummers, including Sarah Bibb and Eric Van Leuven.

History

The band first made waves in 1984 when they appeared on the FlipSide Vinyl Fanzine Volume 1 compilation released by Restless Records. Their track “Big Women” was a standout on the album, which was curated by the influential punk fanzine Flipside. In 1985, Anti-Scrunti Faction released their debut extended single, A Sure Fuck, through Unclean Records. This EP featured six songs, with Sarah Bibb drumming on two tracks and Eric Van Leuven on the remaining four.

Later in 1985, A.S.F. released their full-length album, Damsels in Distress, on Flipside Records. The album’s liner notes intentionally obscured the identities of the band members, with guitarist Tracie Thomas listed as “T. Thomas” and drummer Eric Van Leuven as “E.” Leslie Mah was credited as “L. Mah” and played bass while also providing lead vocals. Despite their short-lived career, the album remains a cult favorite among fans of 1980s punk and queercore.

Post A.S.F. and Legacy

After Anti-Scrunti Faction disbanded in 1985, Leslie Mah relocated to San Francisco, where she became a member of the influential queercore band Tribe 8. Tribe 8 would go on to be regarded as one of the most prominent bands in the queercore scene, and Mah’s involvement helped maintain A.S.F.’s legacy. One of A.S.F.’s notable songs, “Slave to My Estrogen,” was reimagined by Tribe 8 as “Estrofemme” on their 1998 album Role Models for AmeriKKKa.

Anti-Scrunti Faction’s impact extended beyond music, as they were one of the featured bands in the first queercore zine, J.D.s. In addition, members Leslie Mah and Tracie Thomas appeared in the cult punk film The Yo-Yo Gang by G.B. Jones, where they performed the song “Frat Boy” from their 1985 single.

Discography

• 1985: A Sure Fuck EP – Released on Unclean Records, this six-track EP marked the band’s debut release.
• 1985: Damsels in Distress – The band’s only full-length album, released on Flipside Records, featured powerful punk anthems with feminist and queer themes.

Influence and Impact

Anti-Scrunti Faction was a pioneer in the queercore punk movement, and their fierce approach to punk rock and identity politics continues to resonate with fans of old-school punk and the riot grrrl movement. Their music addressed feminist issues and queer identity, long before these topics gained wider recognition in the mainstream punk scene. Songs like “Slave to My Estrogen” have become emblematic of the band’s defiant and unapologetic stance.

The band’s influence extended into other artistic realms, particularly through Leslie Mah’s later work with Tribe 8, and their presence in the burgeoning queercore zine and film scenes of the 1980s. Despite their brief career, Anti-Scrunti Faction remains a celebrated name among punk historians and fans of queercore and feminist punk music.