Monica Richards
Encyclopedia
Monica Richards is a singer, songwriter, artist and writer from the United States
. A graduate of the American University
with honors in literature and a minor in anthropology
, she is considered to be an icon of the goth subculture
and has been the frontwoman of numerous bands including Madhouse, Strange Boutique
and Faith and the Muse
, as well as being a solo-artist.
and Faith and the Muse
are among the bands she has fronted. She performed at the same time as other well-known D.C. Punk bands - Bad Brains
, Minor Threat
, and State of Alert
(Henry Rollins' first band).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A graduate of the American University
American University
American University is a private, Methodist, liberal arts, and research university in Washington, D.C. The university was chartered by an Act of Congress on December 5, 1892 as "The American University", which was approved by President Benjamin Harrison on February 24, 1893...
with honors in literature and a minor in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, she is considered to be an icon of the goth subculture
Goth subculture
The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...
and has been the frontwoman of numerous bands including Madhouse, Strange Boutique
Strange Boutique
Strange Boutique was a band from Washington, D.C.. They were active between the years of 1987 and 1994 and released 4 full-length albums and 2 live albums on the Bedazzled Records label. They are also featured on several compilation albums...
and Faith and the Muse
Faith and the Muse
Faith and the Muse is an American, underground gothic/darkwave band composed of two musicians, Monica Richards and William Faith. They are well regarded in the gothic music scene as innovators and icons. Their music encompasses many genres, from folk-style songs to darker compositions. Richards is...
, as well as being a solo-artist.
Music
Richards started singing when she was in her teens and was one of the earliest female singers in the harDCore scene. Hate From Ignorance, Madhouse, Strange BoutiqueStrange Boutique
Strange Boutique was a band from Washington, D.C.. They were active between the years of 1987 and 1994 and released 4 full-length albums and 2 live albums on the Bedazzled Records label. They are also featured on several compilation albums...
and Faith and the Muse
Faith and the Muse
Faith and the Muse is an American, underground gothic/darkwave band composed of two musicians, Monica Richards and William Faith. They are well regarded in the gothic music scene as innovators and icons. Their music encompasses many genres, from folk-style songs to darker compositions. Richards is...
are among the bands she has fronted. She performed at the same time as other well-known D.C. Punk bands - Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
, Minor Threat
Minor Threat
Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. The band was relatively short-lived, but had a strong influence on the hardcore punk music scene, both stylistically and in establishing a "do it yourself" ethic for music distribution and...
, and State of Alert
State of Alert
State of Alert was an American hardcore punk group formed in Washington, D.C. in 1980, and disbanded in 1981.-History:State of Alert were fronted by Henry Garfield, who would later rise to fame as Henry Rollins. They formed in October 1980 and disbanded in July 1981...
(Henry Rollins' first band).