It depends on how you judge success. If it's on chart placings then ignore my suggestions but I don't think that The Slits (despite the cover of Cut) come in this category,, neither do the Runaways or The Donnas. Do Elastica count as a girl group?

...when they were called We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It and were on Vindaloo Records. They narrowly missed the top 40 with 'XX Sex', then signed to Warners and lost any semblance of interestingness they may or may not have had.

with a Rickenbacker in the Bangles is a fine guitarist. She'd problably play a mean Cello, or Flute as well.

what's going on here, is it a change in the weather, the long nights and short days?

oh and, Strawberry Switchblade

- I might be talking cobblers here but I'm going to take girl groups as being yer popsters - Girls aloud, Spice girls etc - and say that they are not appreciated for the music alone other things come in to play - notably appearance; whereas perhaps Girl Bands - ie those competing in the world of rock - Luscious Jackson, Sleater Kinney (can I have Throwing Muses?)are respected for their music first and foremost.

are there any girl bands or groups that warrant a place in the average Word bloggers record collection. My limited music knowledge restricts me to the Bannaramas and Spice Girls of this world. Has there been a girl band/group that have achieved popular and critical acclaim writing, recording and performing songs as say a Clash or Pink Floyd or even Del Amitri?

Girlschool, I rest me case and get me coat all at once

ESG pub quiz question material: the band that played on the opening night of the Hacienda and the closing night of the Paradise Garage in New York

Greatest Hits is quite pleadant..

pleasant

Jangly twelve-string girly Bangles-esque pop. One album, the wonderful Love Junk Store, featuring a flash of stocking-top on the cover. A few singles, aired heavily on Radio 2. A cover of Don't Fear The Reaper. A lead singer called Charity Hair. An entry on Allmusic.com loaded with viruses and trojans. Don't go there. But find somewhere to listen a little.

They should have been massive. Watch this.

The harmony bit at 3:40 is worth the admission alone.

Grunge was useful for throwing up a few decent girl groups: Babes in Toyland for one. L7 had their moments ("Pretend We're Dead") and a decent Butch Vig sheen on their major label album.

Until their demise, Sleater-Kinney were in the United States a critical force to be reckoned with. Rocked hard, too.

While not bands, per se, in the folk arena, The McGarrigle Sisters and The Roches are both well-regarded. The McGarrigles' Dancer With Bruised Knees album was named one of the best of the '70s by the Village Voice.

Then there are girl bands with a little bit of boy input: Can't beat a bit of Lush, The Gossip, Hole, Heart ... Somebody with a better internet connection than myself should post some "Barracuda." Great stuff.

I seem to remember they were signed to the Beastie's label and Daniel Lanois produced their last album?

and then there's always Client, who rather curiously, seem to get precious little respect, despite ploughing the same furrow as la Roux, and to far better effect.