Finding Aid to the Cecilia Kuhn Frightwig Collection
1977-2014
SFH 668
Finding aid composed by Freya Channing.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2022
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Title: Cecilia Kuhn Frightwig Collection
Creator:
Kuhn, Cecilia (1955-2017)
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 668
Physical Description:
3 legal-size manuscript boxes, 2 oversize flat boxes, 8 letter-sized folders (photos), 1 map folder, 1 tube
(3 Cubic Feet)
Date (inclusive): 1977-2014
Date (bulk): (bulk 1984-1988)
Abstract: The
Cecilia Kuhn Frightwig Collection
contains material relating to Frightwig and to Cecilia Kuhn. The collection dates between 1977-2014, with the bulk of material
being from 1984-1988. The bulk of this collection is made up of show fliers, newspaper and magazine clippings, magazines,
newspapers and zines. Band photographs, tour journals, a few legal documents, and ephemera make up the rest of the collection.
Frightwig is a feminist punk band founded in 1982 by Deanna Mitchell and Mia d'Bruzzi. Frightwig is credited with inspiring
bands like Hole, Bikini Kill, L7, and Lunachicks. Cecilia Kuhn was the drummer for Frightwig for many years. Cecilia Kuhn
died in 2017.
Physical Location: Collection is stored onsite.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in
English
with a small amount of material in German, Dutch, Flemish, Danish found in Series 4: Events: European tour ephemera, 1985.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Cecilia Kuhn Frightwig Collection (SFH 668), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public
Library.
Provenance
Donation, 2018.
Related Materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the
San Francisco Punk Archive, SFH 666
located in the San Francisco History Center at the San Francisco Public Library, currently being processed.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Freya Channing with assistance by Mckenzie (Mac) Reed.
Separated Materials
Biography
Cecilia Kuhn (1955-2017) was born in Sacramento and raised in Arkansas. In 1978, Kuhn moved to San Francisco. She was skilled
at shorthand, typing, and copy-editing and worked as a temp in San Francisco. She was an accomplished musician (piano, guitar,
and singing) and took drumming lessons when Frightwig needed a drummer in 1984. She spent several years with Frightwig and
became a driving force of the band. Cecilia Kuhn died in 2017 due to complications with cancer.
Frightwig is a feminist punk band that was started in San Francisco by bassist/singer Deanna Mitchell and guitarist/singer
Mia d'Bruzzi in 1982. Frightwig, an all-female band through the 1980's and 1990's, inspired bands like Hole, Bikini Kill,
L7, and the Lunachicks. Frightwig made its mark in the male-dominated hardcore scene of the 1980s. Band members have also
included Rachel Thoele, Paula Frazer, Susan Miller, Lynn Perko, Bambi Nonymous, Rebecca Sevrin and Eric Drew Feldman. Kuhn
left the band a few years before the band broke up in 1994 and rejoined when Frightwig reformed in 2012. As of this writing
in 2022, Frightwig is still playing.
References:
Scope and Contents
The
Cecilia Kuhn Frightwig Collection
contains material collected by longtime member Cecilia Kuhn relating to Frightwig and Kuhn, who also went by "Cecilia Koon",
"Cecilia Lynch", and "Cecilia Frightwig". The collection dates between 1977-2014 with the bulk of material being from 1984-1988.
The collection contains show fliers, photographs, posters, newspaper and magazine clippings, magazines, newspapers and zines,
set lists, tour journals, and ephemera. The bulk of material can be found in
Series 4: Events,
largely consisting of fliers documenting shows that Frightwig played and
Series 5: Printed material,
primarily press coverage of Frightwig. Also present is a small collection of legal documents and correspondence written to
Cecilia Kuhn and Frightwig.
Of note is the 31-page journal entry documenting Frightwig's European tour with D.O.A in 1985 found in
Series 3: Writings
and
Series 6: Photographs
which contains both studio shots and photographs of live shows.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in 6 series: Series 1: Legal documents; Series 2: Correspondence; Series 3: Writings; Series 4:
Events; Series 5: Printed material; and Series 6: Photographs.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Punk culture -- California -- San Francisco.
Punk rock music -- California -- San Francisco.
Punk rock musicians -- California -- San Francisco.
Rock groups -- California -- San Francisco
Punk rock music.
Women rock musicians.
Women punk rock musicians.
Rock music -- California -- San Francisco.
Feminism and music.
Post-punk music. -- California -- San Francisco.
Fliers (printed matter).
Riot grrrl movement.
Frightwig (Musical group) (San Francisco)
Castro, Bobby, -2018
Macioce, Michael
Series 1:
Legal documents
1985, 2003, 2012-2013
Scope and Contents
This small series consists of 1 folder containing legal documents related to Frightwig and Cecilia Kuhn. Includes a performance
contract, copyright, and royalty documents.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
box 1, folder 1
Legal documents
1985, 2003, 2012-2013
Series 2:
Correspondence
1986-1988
Scope and Contents
This small series is made up of correspondence written to Cecilia Kuhn and Frightwig. One letter contains 19 color photographs
of a show in Illinois in 1987.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
box 1, folder 2
Correspondence: Arenella, Jess
1988, undated
box 1, folder 3
Correspondence: Bakarich, Cathy
1986
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence: Eric
1987
box Punk Archive photos (color) Box 2, folder 1
Correspondence: Panic, Tim
circa 1987
Physical Description:
19 Photographic Prints
(color photographs)
; 3.5 x 5 inches
Physical Location: This folder is stored in the photo room.
Conditions Governing Use
This folder is available during Photo Desk hours.
Scope and Contents
Letter sent to Frightwig with 19 color photographs of a show played at the Corner Tavern, Edwardsville, IL, circa 1987.
box 1, folder 5
Correspondence: Zombory, Dolores
1987
Series 3:
Writings
1983-1987
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This series contains address books, a tour diary and tour journals. Some entries are written in short hand. Of note is "Cecilia
Koon, 1985-1986" journal that contains a narrative entry Frightwig's European tour, particularly their time in Germany.
box 1, folder 6
Cecilia Lynch, address book 1
1983-1984
box 1, folder 7
Cecilia Lynch, address book 2
circa, 1984
box 1, folder 8
Frightwig World Tour 1984, journal
1984
box 1, folder 9
Cecilia Koon, journal
1985-1986
Scope and Contents
This journal contains a 31 page descriptive narrative of Frightwig's European tour with D.O.A. in 1985.
box 1, folder 10
Cecilia Frightwig, journal
1985-1987
box 1, folder 11
Tour diary, U.S.
circa 1987
Series 4:
Events
1983-1988, 1991,1994, 2013-2014
Scope and Contents
This series contains fliers for Frightwig show and other bands with the bulk of material documenting shows that Frightwig
played. Some original artwork for fliers are present. Also included is a small collection of fliers for other bands. List
of fliers with dates in each folder.
Arrangement
Arranged by type and then by date.
box 2, folder 1
Frightwig fliers
between 1983-1988?
Bands and venues
Bands include Blatant Frustration, Frightwig, Housecoat Project, Life Sentence, Mutants, Sacred Cows, Sluglords, Wayrad, and
Witnesses. Venues include: VFW Hall (New Orleans), and the Deaf Club.
box 2, folder 2
Frightwig fliers
1984
Bands and venues
Bands include 45 Grave, Altar Boys, Angst, Ante-Bellum, Bum-Kon, Butthole Surfers, Corpus Delecti, Dead Heir, Ellen Zweig,
Frightwig, Happy World, Health Hen, Husker Du, KuKuKu, Lethal Gospel, Proud Ones, Snakefinger, The Johnsons, Tragic Mulatto,
and Wages of Sin. Venues include: 8BC, Anti Club, CBGB, Climax Cavern, Graffiti, I Beam, Limbo, Mabuhay Gardens, On Broadway,
Packin' Haus, and The Stone.
box 2, folder 3
Frightwig fliers
1985
Bands and venues
Bands include 3 Mouse Guitars, A31, Action Figure, Bambi, Blast, Blow Up, Children in Adult, Jails, Dead Kennedys, Eggbert,
Floating Skulls, Frightwig, Happy World, Hinge of Fate, Housecoat Project, Industrial Waste Banned, Johnny Kwest, Junk Waffle,
Kor-phu, Mutants, Old Sparky, Raszerbrea, Snakefinger, Strappado, Subhumans, The Jungle Studs, and Thin White Rope. Venues
include 16th note, 8BC, Anti Club, Bone Club, Boulder Valley Ranch, Club 616, Crest Theater, Grandin Theatre, John Barley's,
Luv-A-Fair, Mabuhay Gardens, Pyramid, Skating Plus, Sound of Music, The Jetty, The Stone, and Wolfgang's.
box 2, folder 4
Frightwig fliers
1986
Bands and venues
Bands include Agua Fritas, Buck Naked and the Bare Bottom Boys, Catheads, Corrosion of Conformity, DRI, Faith No More, Fifty
One Fifty, Frightwig, Mighty Farm Band, Mudwemon, P.M.S., Peer Puppet, Poor White Trash, and Weasel Contingent. Venues include
I Beam, Mabuhay Gardens, Outhouse, "Out in the desert", The Farm, The Stone, and The Stud.
box 2, folder 5
Frightwig fliers
1987
Bands and venues
Bands include Bulimia Banquet, Die Kreuzen, Euthanasia, Frightwig, and Victims of Paranoia. Venues include Hyperspace, Mabuhay
Gardens, and Westward Club.
box 2, folder 6
Frightwig fliers
1988
Bands and venues
Bands include Convictions, Frightwig, The Gits, Haunted Garage, Jackson Saints, Kill Pussycat Kill, Pat Ruthensmear, and Typhoon.
Venues include Chatterbox, Firehouse 7, Mo's Tavern, SF Music Works, and The Savoy Nightclub.
box 2, folder 7
Frightwig fliers
1994, 2013-2014
Bands and venues
Bands include The Blowdryers, Chuck Dukowski Sextet, Frightwig, It's OK, Mudwimmin, The Mutants, Rhythm Pigs, Stone Fox, and
Valerie Stadler. Venues include Bottom of the Hill, The Chapel, Great American Music Hall, and Verdi Club.
oversize-box 5, oversize-folder 1
Frightwig oversized fliers and posters
circa 1984-1985, 2013, 2014
Bands and venues
Bands include Bambi, Frightwig, Jane Lee Hooker, Melvins, Polkacide, Redd Cross, Shiksa featuring Zarrin, Snakefinger's Vestal
Virgins, and The Stung Veragos. Venues include The Brighton Bar, The Farm, and Great American Music Hall.
tube 1
Frightwig at the Kennel Club with Screamin' Sirens
9/23/1987
General
Rolled poster, 3 duplicate serigraphs of Frightwig show at the Kennel Club.
box 2, folder 8
Frightwig set lists
undated
box 2, folder 10
Other band fliers
1983-1987
Bands and venues
Bands include Bash Boys, Brotherhood of Light, Chelsea Girls, The Core, Dead Silence, Doll's Eye Jam, The Gargoyles, Housecoat
Project, Nature Punx, Rockoons, T.S.O.L., Teenage Warning, and Zeros. Venues include Club Lingerie, Eagles Lodge, Mabuhay
Gardens, Nightrider Run and Feed, On Broadway, San Francisco Motorcycle Club, and Sound of Music.
box 2, folder 11
European tour ephemera
1985
Language of Material:
English
,
Dutch; Flemish
,
German
.
General
Small folder containing notes, lyrics, set lists, drafts of two letters, and some printed material in Dutch and German.
oversize-box 5, oversize-folder 2
European tour ephemera
1985
Language of Material:
German
,
Danish
.
General
Contains a German language article about the D.O.A. and Frightwig, circa 1985 and Danish publication, Gaffa: musikmagasin
for århus amt, Oktober 1985 that has a short piece about the tour.
Map-case M43, drawer 32, oversize-folder 4
European tour ephemera
1985
Language of Material:
German
.
General
Contains two large posters for shows with D.O.A. in Europe.
box 2, folder 12
Frightwig ephemera
1986, 2014, undated
General
This folder contains a small number of items related to Frightwig. Among other pieces of ephemera, is a CD-R of Frightwig
practicing 3 songs: What is love?, XLA, and Ride your bike dated 1/19/2014, 13 Frightwig pins in black & white with eye logo,
paper handmade pins, a printed out email about Courtney Love's relationship with Kurt Cobain, and some ephemera from D.O.A.
and Wild Women of Borneo.
Series 5:
Printed material
1977, 1984-1988, 1993-1994, 2013-2014
Scope and Contents
This series contains printed material related to Frightwig. This consists of article clippings about Frightwig and magazines
and other publications. The "Press kits" are articles that are affixed to sheets of paper for photocopying.
Arrangement
Arranged by type and then by date.
box 2, folder 17
Newspaper and magazine clippings
1984
box 2, folder 18
Newspaper and magazine clippings
1985
oversize-box 5, oversize-folder 3
Newspaper and magazine clippings
1985
General
Bay Guardian After Dark piece from 1/9/1985 on Frightwig World Domination tour and a printed letter in the Bay Guardian from
Cecilia Frightwig thanking writer Bill Hinchberger and photographer Bobby Castro for the article and going on the road with
them.
box 2, folder 19
Newspaper and magazine clippings
1986-1987
box 2, folder 20
Newspaper and magazine clippings
1993-1994, 2014
Publications
1977, 1984-1988, 2013
box 3, folder 1
Band Age, No. 2, 1987; Brain Skillet, circa 1985
box 3, folder 2
CMJ New Music Report, Nov. 1986
box 3, folder 3
Lively Arts, Vol.1, no. 3, 1986
box 3, folder 4
MEOWcon: A conference for women in music, 2013
box 3, folder 5
Music & Sound Output, April 1987
box 3, folder 8
Tissue, issue 5, circa 1985 ; Tom Tom magazine
box 3, folder 9
Toxic Flyer Fanzine, no. 24-24, no. 27, no. 29-31, no. 41, no. 43
box 3, folder 10
Unscene Vision, 1987 ; Vapid, summer 1987
box 3, folder 11
Yet another fanzine, Jan. 1986 ; Zombie, no. 6, summer 1985
oversize-box 4
BAM, no. 174, no. 188, no. 194, no. 205, no. 207, no. 214, no. 223.
1984-1986
oversize-box 4
Bay Guardian, vol. 19, no. 12; vol. 22, no.33; vol. 47, no 31
1985, 1988, 2013
oversize-box 4
Bitch: The Women's Rock Newsletter with a Bite, #5
1986
oversize-box 4
Music Calendar vol.III, no. 9; vol. IV, no. 5; vol.IV, no.6; vol.V, no.3
1984-1986
oversize-box 4
Columbus Review, December, 1985
1985
oversize-box 4
LA Weekly, Vol.35, no.33
2013
oversize-box 4
Open City, Vol. 2, no. 2
1985
oversize-box 4
Profile, Vol. 1, no. 1
July, 1985
oversize-box 4
The Rocket, no.69
June, 1985
oversize-box 4
San Francisco Chronicle: Datebook
May 5, 1985
oversize-box 4
San Francisco Examiner
September 19, 2013
oversize-box 4
Seconds Magazine, #2
1987
oversize-box 4
Spin, August 1985, March 1987
Series 6:
Photographs
1984-1988
2012
Scope and Contents
This series contains photographs of Frightwig, some done in studio and some of Frightwig playing live shows. Many of the photographs
are by Bobby Castro.
Related Materials
See also: Series 2: Correspondence: Panic, Tim. Includes 19 color photographs of Frightwig circa 1987 playing a show in Edwardsville,
IL.
Arrangement
Arranged by type and then by date.
Conditions Governing Use
Photographs available during Photo Desk hours.
Black & white photographs
box Punk Archive photos (b&w) Box 1, folder 1
Frightwig photographs; contact sheets, b&w
circa 1984
Physical Description:
2 Photographic Prints
(contact sheets) ;
8 x 11 inches
box Punk Archive photos (b&w) Box 1, folder 2
Frightwig photographs by Macioce, b&w
1984
Physical Description:
7 Photographic Prints
(solarized b&w photographs) ;
8 x 10 inches
box Punk Archive oversized photos (b&w) Box 3, folder 1
Frightwig photographs by Macioce, b&w
1984
Physical Description:
2 Photographic Prints
(b&w photographs) ;
11 x 14 inches
box Punk Archive photos (b&w) Box 1, folder 3
Frightwig photographs by Bobby Castro, b&w
circa 1984-1986
Physical Description:
9 Photographic Prints
(b&w photographic postcards) ;
3.5 x 5.5 inches
Physical Description:
`1 Photographic Prints
(b&w photograph) ;
5 x 7 inches
Physical Description:
14 Photographic Prints
(b&w photographs) ;
8 x 10 inches
box Punk Archive photos (b&w) Box 1, folder 4
Frightwig photographs by Societe Anonymous at the Mabuhay Gardens, b&w
circa 1985
Physical Description:
49 Photographic Prints
(b&w photographs) ;
3.5 x 5 inches
box Punk Archive photos (b&w) Box 1, folder 5
Frightwig photographs by Bobby Castro on CD-R, b&w
2012
Physical Description:
91 images
(1 CD-R with 91 jpgs, b&w)
Scope and Contents
1 CD-R with 91 jpgs of Frightwig [circa 1983-2012]. Includes pictures of Rachel Thoele, Paula Frazer, Susan Miller, and Rebecca
Sevrin. Printed contact sheets with images and file names in folder.
box Punk Archive photos (color) Box 2, folder 2
Frightwig photographs by Bobby Castro ; cover of Faster, Frightwig, Kill, Kill! , color postcards
1986
Physical Description:
7 Photographic Prints
(color photographic postcards) ;
3.5 x 5.5 inches
box Punk Archive photos (color) Box 2, folder 3
Frightwig photographs, Cecilia playing drums and guitar, color
1988
Physical Description:
4 Photographic Prints
(color photographs) ;
4 x 5 inches
