Los Quatro Chichas shirt by Peggy Jo1.
This is what me and the “Nerd Punks” will be listening to in July if we are airplane dancing in the park, eating pizza at the Roll On, or writing on our laptops.
#1) C’mon – Go Betty Go
Sportify get your act together. You don’t have a single song from the greatest female Chicana punk band to ever come out of Glendale. But these chicks are a good second choice. Oh and this song has all the feellies. I guess we have all said things that were taken out of context or that we didn’t mean, and it hurt a friend. (Cleo please answer my calls. Accept this song. As an apology)
(Creators Note: Las Quatro Chicha are based on Go Betty Go)
#2) You were Cool – Local News Legend.
This song was originally done by the Mountain Goats, but I like it better with this chick’s vocals (Sorry John). It reminds me of my friend Avery. He’s transgender and has all the positive aspect of masculinity. He is so cool. I just wish more people could see that in him. Bonus points since our newest Nerd Punk is named Emily.
#3) Hentai Boi – Hekate Head
RedOniCon PDX anime con is coming up at the end of the month, and I am so excited. This song reminds me of Robbie Stewart, my 11th grade boyfriend. He got me over my squeamishness of watching Black Bible. He was also my first sexual encounter. I wonder if those two might be related?
#4) Knee High Soxs – Altered By Mom
I wish I could pull off that look, knee high socks and a sweater, that would be so hot.
#5) Sorry, Not Sorry Kade Blak, Grimshaw, Kings of Men.
No apologías byotches!!!!!!
#6) Hand Grenade – Be Your Own Pet
The chorus is my mantra right now “I am not afraid, I am not afraid… I am not afraid!” Now if only I would believe it.
#7) Make America Great – Pussy Riot.
These Russian chicks get the American experience. Anyone who makes Putin wet his pants in fear is A-OK in my book.
#8) Surface Tension – Lights
Valerie Poxleitner is so friggin’ hot. I love her new dark synth wave vibe. Did you know she wrote and drew a graphic novel? The video for this is so cyberpunk! She is like this white collar corpo by day and friggin sexy Cyber-Batman with a lightsaber at night.
#9) My People – The Beaches
I know The Beaches are from Canada, but this so captures the Portland vibe, and they are so hot!
10#) Ramon Casiano – Drive by Truckers.
The only thing I got last month from my trip down to Cali to help film farm workers being targeted by ICE was, some grainy film of guys in camouflage and masks, a questionable case of lip herpes and an appreciation for The Drive by Truckers.
The song is based on the true story of a 14 year old Mexican boy who in 1931 was shot by a white 17 year old, for laughing at him (I know people claim that other things happened and that it was all Ramon’s fault that he was murdered. but that is not what the court records say what happen!) The guy who shot him went on to militarize the border patrol in the 1950’s and then radicalize the NRA in the 1970’s.
Catch you next month with 10 more
Read more: Esther’s Nerd Punk Top 10 July 2025
Esther’s Dystopian Days. 
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