In this cult classic from 1981, Diane Lane plays the disaffected Corinne Burns, a bitter adolescent living with her aunt after the separate deaths of both of her parents. After forming a band with her sister (Marin Kanter) and cousin (Laura Dern), Corinne finds a way out of the dysfunctional household by getting her group, the Stains, the opening slot on a tour by bands called the Metal Corpses and the Looters.

Soon, a member of the Metal Corpses overdoses and forces that band off the tour leaving just the Looters and the Stains, who don’t exactly get along. All the drama gives Corinne an idea, and she quickly reinvents herself as a riot grrl who favors see-through blouses and a punked-out “skunk” hairdo.

She’s full of attitude too, and soon the Stains are overshadowing their headlining male counterparts and attracting legions of female fans that dress like their idols and call themselves skunks. The media makes fun of the whole deal and unwittingly promotes the band, but eventually there’s a backlash and the Stains find themselves once again unloved and unwanted.

Finally the Stains find success by dropping the hair and clothes-related gimmicks and turning into a Go-Go’s-like pop band. Along with actor Ray Winstone, the Looters are played by Paul Simonon of the Clash and Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, and the aggregate contribute several good, original tunes to the score.

Grade: B

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains is currently available.