XX vs XY

Do girls or boys rock harder? Angel puts it to the test...

Now on this subject matter I am truly torn. One glance at my iPod reveals that I am staunch supporter of bands with male vocalists, and I will readily admit that I prefer the gravely tones men can produce over female vocals.

But I’m a girl – and as all birds know if we’re told we can’t do something it only makes us want to do it even more – and we’ll give 200 per cent to prove that we’re better than guys! But can girls rock?…hmmm….

Unfortunately female rockers have had a bad press – and not without good reason. You only have to look at the likes of Hepburn (remember them?), that naff girly ‘rock’ band Frank (‘stars’ of T4’s Totally Frank who actually tried to release some of their tripe), tie-toting Avril Lavigne, and not to mention The Mentalists who recently appeared on T4’s Mobile Act Unsigned (you can tell what I do with my Sunday mornings right?) to see why. These are the bands most people think of when you mention female rock – and that ain’t a good thing. They give us alternative ladies a bad name.

I think the problem with female band members is that they’re often recruited to attract the attention of the male music buyers. Hey, who wouldn’t want a picture of Evanescence’s Amy Lee adorning their purchase? Don’t get me wrong the girl’s got a great voice but would she be in the band if she was a minger? I doubt it.

And don’t even get me started on bands who recruit attractive female bassists just to up their sex appeal – it ain’t big and it ain’t clever. You only have to take a look at the Kerrang! website – do a search for female and pretty much all that comes up is who’s won Sexiest Female in the K! Awards. What does that really say about the credibility of female artists, regardless of talent?

But having said all that I’ll never forget the first time I heard a girl scream. It was a beautiful sound, something that had been attempted but not fully executed many times previously. I was enjoying my punk hit for the day listening to The Lock Up on Radio One when Mike played Your Life is Your Direction by No Comply. It stopped me in my tracks and made me question all my preconceptions about female vocalists. This girl could scream and she could scream good. And not in an Arch Enemy.

I’m-about-to-rip-your-head-off-and-swallow-it-whole kinda way, but in a tuneful but still aggressive way. I was won over. But alas, the EP and following album didn’t create a revolution and hail a new beginning for female vocalists in the way I hoped it would. Actually it was pretty damn dull – and then they went and split up.

But there are plenty of other girls out there flying the flag for rawk (Hayley from Paramore I salute you). And what’s really encouraging is that girls seem to be able to carve their own niche in the same way as guys do.

Brody Dahl might not have the best vocal talent but her growling has brought The Distillers plenty of success in the same way as her ex Tim Armstrong brought massive fame to Rancid despite being nigh-on tone deaf.

And, despite her being voted Sexiest Female by Kerrang! readers (god what is it with these horny boys already?), she’s not exactly a classic beauty in the way your Amy Lees are. She’s the sort of girl who appeals to men and women because she’s strong, independent and talented (not to mention incredibly jammy – Tim Armstrong and Josh Homme – it’s just not fair *stamps feet*).

If there are any talented girls out there reading this, for the sake of rock and roll and all things female, pick up your guitar and rock your socks off. Girls have the attitude and the ability to make it in this male-dominated industry it’s just going to take time and a little re-education, plus the promotion of girls with a little more about them than Avril (sorry love!) regardless of their looks and bra size. And don’t forget to scream!