Fender Squier II Stratocaster Electric Guitar Formerly Owned by Roisin Dunne of 7 Year Bitch

This Fender Squier II Stratocaster, circa 1990, was formerly owned and used by Roisin Dunne of the musical band 7 Year Bitch. 

Roisin Dunne (b. 1965), the longest running 7 Year Bitch guitarist, played this electric guitar between 1992 and 1996. This model of guitar is based on the classic Fender Stratocaster and is capable of a variety of different tone qualities. Two tone knobs allow the player to manipulate the tone of the pickups directly, and the selector switch provides five separate ways for those pickups to transmit sound. When Dunne played this Strat, she usually aimed for a punk rock or grunge sound. 

7 Year Bitch formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990 when vocalist Selene Vigil (b. 1965), guitarist Stefanie Sargent (1968-1992), and drummer Valerie Agnew (b.1969) from the band Barbie’s Dream Car recruited Elizabeth Davis (b. 1965) as bass player. The group played their early shows with another Seattle band, The Gits, and self-released their single “Lorna” in 1992. The band formed around the same time the feminist punk sub-genre Riot Grrrl, a reaction to the misogyny and violence in the punk community, was gaining in popularity and became a cornerstone of the scene. 

Their loud, in-your-face punk rock style gained them the attention of C/Z Records, who supported the production of their first album, Sick ‘Em, in October of 1992. Around the time of the album's release, Sargent tragically passed away. Her death impacted the band and led to a cancellation of the tour to promote the album. Roisin Dunne was brought on as guitarist the following year, and she displayed her driving, lead guitar through two subsequent albums, ¡Viva Zapata! and Gato Negro. 

Although 7 Year Bitch broke up in 1997, the band has inspired many to get involved in rock music and their music has been used in recent streaming shows such as Archive 81 and Special and the film Moxie. The band also supported many political causes, including hosting benefits for breast cancer research and pro-choice efforts. 7 Year Bitch recorded the ¡Viva Zapata! album in memory of their friend and fellow musician, Mia Zapata (1965-1993), who was violently assaulted and murdered in 1993. Also, in connection with the Zapata tragedy, the band supported Home Alive, a self-defense program for women.