[1] In 2003, Brooks Harlan recruited Shawna Potter to sing and play guitar for AVEC, an indie-rock band that was based in Baltimore.

[3] In 2010 Potter and Harlan formed War On Women, a band “inspired by the riot grrrl bands [Potter] adored as a teenager.”[2] War On Women released their debut album, a six-song EP titled Improvised Weapons, in 2012 on Exotic Fever Records.

[4] In 2015 the band released their first full-length album, the self-titled War On Women, on Bridge Nine Records.

[7] In January 2022, ex-guitarist Nancy Hornburg accused member Brooks Harlan of "controlling and emotionally abusive behavior" during her time with the band,[8] and alleged frontwoman Shawna Potter had been dishonest about the band's financial matters, including royalties.

[9] The band issued a response sharing their perspective of these events, disavowing the accusations and indicating Hornburg as having "repeated instances of lateness, inability to play, and overall inconsistent behavior.