Customer Reviews

Angry Women in Rock: Volume One

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Up until my early years in college, I really didn't have a full grasp of the feminism movement. I always had this stereotype of bitter, angry women perpetuated by conservatives in the media who thinks that feminists don't shower and are masculine-looking. I was quickly proven wrong when I bought "Angry Women in Rock volume one" when I was in my early twenties. This book was truly my first taste in female empowerment and that the word "feminist" should not be viewed in a negative connotation. Author Andrea Juno explores the term "feminism" with several artists and bands in the alternative music, when 'alternative' truly meant for something and not the bland, dull BS that is polluting the airwaves nowadays. I found this book to be both informative and entertaining. My personal favorite interviews are with Valerie Agnew of the Seattle band 7 Year B***h (one of my favorite bands during the 'grunge' era) and Kathleen Hanna (ex-Bikini Kill vocalist, now Le Tigre vocalist). It was interesting to read about Kathleen Hanna's career choices which included working in the sex industry and her experiences with more conservative 'feminists' like Andrea Dworkin. Another interesting conversation Andrea has is with the San Francisco punk band Tribe 8. In Tribe 8's case, they discussed mostly about lesbian-related issues but the band as a whole. I was totally blown away by the description of their stage performances which involves a strap on, a knife, and occasionally a chainsaw. That was fascinating reading to say the very least. My personal favorite interview is with Valerie Agnew, the drummer from 7 Year B***h. She discusses her friend Mia Zapata's death (RIP Mia), music, and women's sexuality. There are also some really good interviews with artists that I had never heard of before like lesbian folksinger Phranc who occasionally dresses up in drag, Jarboe of Swans, Lois, and Naomi Yang of Galaxie 500. As for mainstream artists, Andrea talks to Chrissie Hyndes of The Pretenders and Joan Jett. Lastly Andrea also talks to a couple of women who run a couple of small, independent record labels Bettina Richards of Thrill Jockey Records and Candice of K Records. I really enjoyed reading "Angry Women in Rock volume one". Not only did it influence me musically (at the time) but also on a deeper level, mainly on women's issues. Very informative and entertaining at the same time. It is rare to find a book that is both.

This is one of the most comprehensive collection of womenrockers known to the planet. Nothing like this exists for the womenpunkers and the artists on the fringe. If you think your undergroundbecause you can understand HOLE or L7, well you've got some research to do. I know i speak for all of us who have read the book when i say "Hurry...up and publish vol. 2!" (scheduled for fall 2001)

Great book and shows how great women plow through the guy dominated punk & indie scenes. Def. makes you second guess about being in a band at some point. It can get dangerous especially if you are talking about feminism on stage. I couldn't do it..I wanted to but I couldn't handle the head damage like these ladies can!

The Jarboe interview included here is intense and very enlightening. Jarboe, a vocalist, musician, and "artist" really went for disclosure during her time with the interviewer. I fell over with admiration for her and her determination, that is well covered in, and exclusive to that lengthy chapter on her. She talks about her experiences of when she was younger, her time with Swans as an essential player - a WOMAN - in the Swans' saga, her relationship, and her work as a solo recording artist in equal parts. The outlandishness, isolation and pain of her experiences - in life and in work - are balanced here for the reader with the sensitivity and strenght of Jarboe's attitude (not to mention the one of the woman who interviews her). The heart of my old co-worker, a Swans fan, was won over as soon as she read this chapter on Jarboe; up to that point this person was mostly interested in Michael Gira regarding Swans.

The other musicians of my taste that are covered in this volume are given decent profiles with fairly interesting articles. I found the articles on Phranc, Kendra Smith and one or two others, quite welcome because I hadn't known those artists at all. Unfortunately, I kept getting distracted by the book's sterile format and unfocused perameters of artistry. Or shall I be fair, and just say this is literally an assortment of artists (of varying scope and breadth) strung together between two covers with really only one thing in common: they are women. Alas, this important factor cannot be diminished.

I used to have this book. It was lost or stolen. To its credit, I've chosen to acquire it over again.

This 1996 publication remains a classic. Don't be put off by Andrea Juno's introduction where her sometimes valid concerns alternate with obscurantist ramblings. Yes, she talks about e.g. "alternative discourses and economies" but she's not quite a moonbat and proves herself a deft & intelligent interviewer. There's a Women in Rock map of Canada & the USA with the names of female musicians geographically arranged; I was pleased to see Marianne Faithfull located just off the coast of South Carolina, representing the UK with 3 other artists. A discography & list of equipment used by the musician/s appear on the final page of every musician interview.

My favorite artist, Jarboe (ex Swans) is the first interviewee; congrats to both Juno & Jarboe for a constantly engaging discussion & absolute honesty on topics that encompass everything from popular music, the music business, childhood, family & growing up, other prominent artists, the media, relationships, culture & much else besides. Lots of original & some controversial photographs & a few album covers adorn this interview. I found info here that is not available anywhere else.

Some of the artists are beyond what you might call "obscure," like Tribe 8, Valerie Agnew, Lois Maffeo & Naomi Yang. In between, I would say, come Kathleen Hanna, Kendra Smith & Phranc, whilst June Millington (Fanny), Joan Jett & Chrissie Hynde (Pretenders) were celebrities in their day. I was particularly impressed by the last; not only do I share most of Chrissie's opinions but she expresses them with an appealing eloquence. Two of the interviews are with the record label owners Candice Pedersen & Bettina Richards.

It came as a pleasant surprise that none of these lovely women are irrational or particularly furious, or if they are angry, they express their concerns in an intelligible & articulate way. (Sigh ... this was the 1990s, just before the arrival of the ranting Moonbat). And I love the beautifully illustrated front & back cover and rare pictorial material found throughout the book; the format & presentation are quite special. Serious rock fans, sane feminists (like Camille Paglia), fans of the interviewees and devotees of Re/Search Publications will love it. Also check out She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul by Lucy O'Brian.