Fifth Column

This Canadian rock group formed around 1980, first performing under the name Second Unit, then later switching to Fifth Column. Members were all female and preferred not to use their last names when it came to the press, using only an initial instead. The reason was listed as something like female power and not using a name that was passed down to daughters from fathers. During the group's lifetime, the lineup for Fifth Column went through some changes, like most groups. Along the way, members included vocalist and guitarist Caroline Azar, drummer Joel Wasson, vocalists Kathleen Robertson and Janet Mascis, guitarists Michelle Breslin and Charlotte B., bassists Beverley Breckenridge and Anita Salmon, and drummer and guitarist G.B. Jones. The girls recorded their last album in 1994.

When Fifth Column began, its fans were found on the Queen Street club circuit in Canada. In 1981 and 1983, the group landed a few tunes on compilation cassettes with some other artists. In 1984, the girls did their first single. It contained three songs: "The Legionnaires," "Monsieur Beauchamps," and "Boy, Girl." Two years later, Fifth Column completed a debut album, To Sire With Hate. It was followed after another two-year span by Work and then again two years later by All-Time Queen of the World. In 1994, a fourth and last album appeared, 36C. All of the albums were released under the Hide Records label.

In between the full-length albums, Fifth Column released singles, made music videos, and worked on a number of other compilations. Some of the tunes from this group are "Free to Fight," "Rock Stars Kill," "All Women Are Bitches: Repeat!," "Hit the Dirt," "Right Hook," "Your Love Glows in the Dark," and "It's a Really Weird Thing."