The Gits
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Yellow Springs, Ohio, United States |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
Key people | Mia Zapata (vocalist), Andy Kessler (guitarist), Matt Dresdner (bassist), Steve Moriarty (drummer) |
| Products | Studio albums, singles, live albums, compilation albums |
The Gits were a punk rock group originating from Yellow Springs, Ohio in 1986. Emerging as part of the early 1990s Seattle music scene, they gained recognition for their passionate live performances. The lineup featured vocalist Mia Zapata, guitarist Andy Kessler (also known as Joe Spleen), bassist Matt Dresdner, and drummer Steve Moriarty. The band ceased activity in 1993 following the tragic murder of Zapata.
Their discography includes two studio albums, a compilation of initial recordings, a live album, three 7-inch singles, and contributions to various compilation albums. Their studio releases were initially issued through C/Z Records. In 2003, Broken Rekids remastered their work and added bonus tracks. From 2024 to 2025, their entire catalog underwent remastering by Jack Endino and was re-released on Sub Pop.
Formation and early years
The Gits formed at Antioch College, a liberal arts institution in Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1986. Originally named the 'Snivelling Little Rat Faced Gits'—a reference to a Monty Python sketch—they soon abbreviated the name to 'The Gits'. In 1988, with assistance from Ben London (later associated with Alcohol Funnycar), they independently released an unofficial debut titled Private Lubs. This collection was widely reissued in 1996 by Broken Rekids under the title Kings & Queens.
Establishing a local presence
After moving to Seattle, Washington in 1989, the band settled into "the Rathouse," an abandoned residence on Capitol Hill used for both living and rehearsals. One of their early Seattle performances took place at the University of Washington on January 6, 1990, where they shared the stage with Nirvana and Tad. They rapidly cultivated a dedicated following within Seattle’s punk rock scene. Media coverage occasionally misidentified them as part of the Seattle grunge movement or associated them with the Olympia-based riot grrrl scene due to Zapata’s persona.
Their initial official release was the single "Precious Blood" in 1990 via Big Flaming Ego Records, followed by "Second Skin" on Broken Rekids and "Spear & Magic Helmet" released by Empty Records in 1991. Additionally, they appeared on the Bobbing For Pavement compilation (Rathouse/Broken Rekids, 1991).
In 1992, they unveiled their first full-length album, Frenching the Bully. By spring of 1993, Tim Sommer—an A&R representative at Atlantic Records—had finalized plans to sign The Gits just days before Zapata’s untimely death.
Murder of Mia Zapata
In the early hours shortly after 2:00 a.m. on July 7, 1993, Mia Zapata departed from the Comet Tavern, a well-known hub within Seattle’s music community. She briefly visited a friend after stopping at a nearby studio space; this was the last confirmed sighting of her alive. At approximately 3:20 a.m., her body was discovered near the intersection of 24th Avenue South and South Washington Street. Zapata had suffered assault by beating, rape, and strangulation; it is believed she encountered her attacker soon after 2:15 a.m. Initially unidentified due to absence of identification documents, she was eventually recognized by a medical examiner who was familiar with her band. The autopsy revealed multiple blunt force injuries along with a ruptured liver.
The Seattle Police Department initially concentrated their investigation on Zapata’s acquaintances, suspecting someone within her social circle. Frustrated by limited progress, surviving members of The Gits alongside Seattle’s music community—including prominent bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden—organized benefit concerts and record sales that raised $70,000 to employ private investigator Leigh Hearon. Despite widespread media exposure through programs like Unsolved Mysteries and Forensic Files, the case remained unresolved until 1998.
In December 2002, DNA analysis conducted by Seattle Police’s Cold Case Unit identified Jesus Mezquia—a fisherman residing in Seattle at that time—as the suspect. Mezquia, a Cuban immigrant arrested previously for burglary and domestic violence in 2002 whose DNA was entered into the national CODIS system, was linked through saliva found on a bite mark on Zapata’s breast. Although he had no prior known association with Zapata, Mezquia had a documented history of violence against women.
Maintaining his innocence throughout the trial but choosing not to testify, Mezquia was prosecuted on allegations that he followed Zapata after she left the bar and assaulted her inside his vehicle. On March 25, 2004, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to Washington State’s maximum penalty of 36 years imprisonment. The conviction was upheld in 2005 despite temporary reversal due to procedural matters; his sentence was reinstated after waiving jury sentencing rights. Mezquia passed away at Pierce County hospital on January 21, 2021, at age 66.
Home Alive
In the aftermath of Zapata's tragic death, her friends founded the non-profit organization Home Alive, dedicated to self-defense education. They organized benefit concerts and produced CDs featuring prominent bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Heart, and The Presidents of the United States of America. Active until 2010, Home Alive focused on empowering women by offering classes in martial arts, pepper spray usage, and anger management techniques.
Dedications
The Portland alternative rock group Everclear honored Zapata by dedicating their 1993 album World of Noise to her memory. California hardcore band Retching Red included a cover of The Gits’ track "Spear and Magic Helmet" on their debut release Get Your Red Wings. Richmond Fontaine, an alt-country band, paid homage with their song "The Gits". Punk band 7 Year Bitch, who shared a close relationship and label affiliation with The Gits, named their 1994 album ¡Viva Zapata! in tribute. The album artwork features an image of Zapata, and it contains the track "M.I.A.", which reflects on her passing.
Films
The 1996 documentary Hype! captured the essence of the Seattle music scene and included footage of The Gits. A biographical film about Mia Zapata and The Gits premiered in 2005 and was later shown in over 20 cities across North America on July 7, 2008—the fifteenth anniversary of her death. Following the theatrical release, Liberation Entertainment issued a DVD alongside a compilation CD titled Best of the Gits.
Directed by Kerri O'Kane, the documentary The Gits reignited public interest in the band. It premiered at the 2005 Seattle International Film Festival and was also presented at the 2007 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas. NPR commended the documentary for showcasing The Gits' musical prowess and highlighting Zapata’s unique vocal style that distinguished them within punk rock.
Related projects
After completing Enter: The Conquering Chicken posthumously, Spleen formed the hardcore punk outfit Dancing French Liberals of '48. The group toured briefly alongside Poison Idea and included former Gits members as well as guitarist Julian Gibson (formerly of DC Beggars). They released an EP titled Scream Clown Scream and a full-length album called Powerline through Broken Rekids before disbanding in the late 1990s.
Following Zapata’s murder, Joan Jett collaborated with Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill, to write the song "Go Home," inspired by Zapata’s story. Jett also incorporated a plea for information regarding Zapata’s murder in one of her music videos. Subsequently, the surviving members of The Gits joined forces with Jett to create Evil Stig (a reversal of "Gits Live"). In 1995, they toured performing a blend of songs from both Jett and The Gits, donating most proceeds to support the investigation into Zapata’s death. They also released a self-titled album with profits directed toward this cause. During this time, Spleen, Dresdner, and Moriarty maintained their work with Dancing French Liberals of '48.
Moriarty went on to perform with the punk band St. Bushmill's Choir as well as the acoustic group Pinkos. In January 2012, he appeared in an extensive interview on Music Life Radio where he discussed his musical career and experiences with The Gits.
Albums
- Frenching the Bully (C/Z Records) (1992)
- Reissued by Broken Rekids in 2003
- Enter: The Conquering Chicken (C/Z Records) (1994)
- Reissued by Broken Rekids in 2003
Compilations
- Kings & Queens (Broken Rekids) (1996)
- Seafish Louisville (Broken Rekids) (2000)
- Best of The Gits (Liberation) (2008)
Singles
- "Precious Blood" backed with "Seaweed" and "Kings & Queens" (Big Flaming Ego Records) (1990)
- "Second Skin" backed with "Social Love" (Broken Rekids) (1991)
- "Spear and Magic Helmet" backed with "While You're Twisting, I'm Still Breathing" (Empty Records) (1991)
Compilation Contributions
- "Here's to Your Fuck" and "Ain't Got No Right" featured on Bobbing For Pavement: The Rathouse Compilation (Rathouse/Broken Rekids) (1991)
- "Drinking Song" included in Power Flush: San Francisco, Seattle & You (Broken Rekids) (1993)
- "Guilt Within Your Head" and a live version of "Social Love" on Home Alive: The Art Of Self-Defense (Epic Records) (1996)
- Live rendition of "Second Skin" on the soundtrack Hype! The Motion Picture Soundtrack (Sub Pop Records) (1996)
- "Seaweed" appearing on Cool Beans #13-Eviction Compilation (Cool Beans!/Broken Rekids) (2000)
- "Another Shot of Whiskey" featured in Wild and Wooly: The Northwest Rock Collection (Experience Music Project/Sub Pop Records) (2000)
- "Whirlwind" included in Girls Kick Ass (Vitaminepillen) (2001)
- "Absynthe" on the box set Whatever: The 90's Pop & Culture Box (Rhino/WEA) (2005)
- LiveWire Recordings' Sleepless in Seattle: The Birth of Grunge included "Another Shot of Whiskey" (2006)
- "Second Skin" featured on the CDr release Blood On The Flat Track: The Rise Of The Rat City Rollergirls (2009)
- "Absynthe" included in Teen Spirit (Mojo Presents 15 Noise-Filled Classics From The American Underground) (Mojo Magazine) (2019)
As Evil Stig
- Evil Stig released by Blackheart Records (1995)