Rockbitch

Rockbitch was an expat British mostly-female Celtic punk/metal/goth band, best known for performing nude and incorporating sexual acts and pseudo-Pagan rituals into their performances. The band was originally formed (as Red Abyss) by bassist Amanda Smith-Skinner from the members of a free sex commune, where monogamy is outlawed. Musically, Red Abyss drew on jazz, funk and rock influences dominated by singer Julie's Janis Joplin-influenced vocals. In time Red Abyss's music became harder edged, drawing on punk and metal influences.

At what was intended to be their last gig (at a biker festival) Rockbitch decided to put the wild sex of their home life into the stage act. They went down a storm and decided to continue touring in order to spread their pro-sex message. The most infamous part of their stage act was "The Golden Condom" contest. This involved throwing the so-called golden condom out into the audience. Whoever caught it (man or woman) was taken backstage for sex with one or more band members. The intention of this was to prove the band were not just an act and were ready to stand by their beliefs.

Rockbitch toured widely from the late '90s until 2002, meeting increasing resistance from authorities, particularly English town councils who were constantly banning gigs. Large sections of their audience (particularly in England) tended to consist of drunken lads just wanting to see some nudity, with no interest in the message. However Rockbitch also began to attract a small following of men and women who seemingly understood the band's message and had their lives changed forever. Outside the UK (particularly in Holland) they sometimes played to more sympathetic audiences. However, in Germany they suffered many censorship problems.

Rockbitch became entirely female when original lead guitarist The Beast[Tony Skinner] retired to a management/production role and Babe (Alexandra) moved up from rhythm to lead guitar. Luci previously "Stage Slut" (nude dancer and sexual link between band and audience) then became rhythm guitarist. After the release of their first studio album Motor Driven Bimbo, Rockbitch were sacked by their record company for refusing to drop sex/nudity from their stage act. Because of this the recorded second, more goth-influenced album Psychic Attack, was never released. Rockbitch ceased performing in 2002 after many years of pressure from bodies such as councils, police forces and governments. The members still live together in their French commune. Drummer Jo Heeley died of breast cancer in January 2012.