Women Being Pitted Against Women

Is anyone else here sick of that feud between Katy Perry and Taylor Swift? And everyone has seen Nicki Minaj asking Miley Cyrus "What's good", right?
Well back in the 90's Kathleen Hanna was pitted against Courtney Love. It seems the more you look back on the past, when you're dealing with the media, women are always being pitted against women, and that sucks. I mean, as a gender that demands equal rights, isn't kind of wasteful and time-consuming to be fighting amongst ourselves? Can't we have the Civil War after the Independence? Isn't that the way history generally tends to go anyway?

The Punk Singer: A Review

How did it take me three years to watch this actual masterpiece?

The Punk Singer is the 2013 documentary (or should I say rockumentary?), by the amazing Sini Anderson, covering the life and career of Kathleen Hanna, the voice behind legendary feminist punk band Bikini Kill, and also Le Tigre and Julie Ruin.

Since I was around the age of 14/15 I have been totally immersed in nineties rock music, being awed by bands like Hole, Nirvana, L7 and so on. I mean, I love rockumentaries and the 90's. I'm sure I've seen like every Hole and Nirvana related documentary ever made, even the ones I found to be one-sided and bullshit, I still watched those too. So as you can imagine, when I was told to go and watch this documentary for University, I

Snug Platters - Label Launch

So Saturday night I was lucky enough to be one of the few, chosen to go to Manchester for the official launch of the new record label, Snug Platters, where they were to show off their first big artist, Steve, and her (yes her) EP Danger! High Failure Rate.
With music by the woman herself and support from Joseph Lofthouse, it really made for one hell of a night where live music was concerned. A friend of mine had seen the latter previously, but I hadn't heard any of his material. Needless to say, I walked into that room (with a fireplace halfway UP the wall) with a tabula rasa.

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to take a picture at this stage, and the ones my friend took were only for snapchat, I'm so sorry. (So obviously this isn't mine)

At first I began to get some Paolo Nutini vibes from this guy (which is an absolute compliment, have you heard Nutini?) but as he began to progress into some more of his songs like 'Kerosene' (I went home and did my homework on him after), I went from Nutini, to Mumford vibes, to originality. This man is setting a new barrier for solo acoustic music, and also had a great connection to the crowd, interacting and throwing out a few bad snowman jokes.
This was to be the first of two nights, where he would play at the Eagle Inn, but sadly I couldn't go to the next gig because this Bad Blogger had to set off for Wales instead.

After a short interlude, consisting of the DJ'ing of Guy Garvey and Magic Alex (and this writer getting her fourth pint), the act of the night, Steve, finally came on, a vast contrast to the depth of Lofthouse and his songs about vanity and growing old, in comparison to her songs of independence.
To be honest, I'd actually seen her around earlier on and admired her curly purple locks from afar, but no one had told me that she was the one we were all there to see. I also ended up admiring the fact she wore comfortable looking shoes and ended up saying 'fuck' at least once in every song she played, the absolute ledge.

In my life, I have ever only seen someone play a guitar and have it on a loop, while playing another rhythm on that same guitar simultaneously, once before. And that was by a blues musician who had come to Liverpool Philharmonic from Australia, or at least I think it was Oz.
Anywho, this one definitely showed that whatever the men can do, women are just as capable, and did it herself. Not only did she have her guitar but she also had all of this technical electro-equipment, and a voice that could compete with Bjork and Natasha Khan.
Her music was absolutely entrancing, especially her single 'Emergency Art Rate'. And she was as real on stage, as she was outside having a smoke. Like Lofthouse before her, she interacted easily with the crowd, even convincing someone to get her a drink, a gift I'm sure a lot of people would kill for (including me).

All in all, this vinyl-only label is easily going to prove to be a success. I overheard a lot of people claiming that they would get a copy of her EP even though they didn't have a record player, and others saying that they would take someone elses player. If Jack White can try to revive vinyl in America, why can't it be done here on the other side of the Atlantic?
Either way it is nice to know that there are still musical superheroes out there, trying to defeat corporate evils, and save music and it's lifeblood.

I predict a success for Snug Platters, especially its main attraction Steve. Now the music industry doesn't just have B.O.B, but they also have Steve, and she's going to be putting people in their place, and kick some seriously musical arse.



For once, photos are actually mine, from my night in 'Bants-Chester', (well the last two anyway)

Wombats at the O2 Academy Liverpool

So I was quite literally back in Liverpool (see what I did there?) after my two week visit home to Ireland, and I was already getting a bus into town to go to the O2.

The last I saw of The Wombats was last January at the Magnet, and that had been my first time ever (unlike my companion who has seen them 13 times). Not that I didn't listen to them before, but I did, it's just a nightmare trying to get to a gig in Ireland.
From my experience at the Magnet I gathered two things:

1/ This was an amazing band live, and well worth seeing again
2/ I was never going to go to the Magnet again.

The band had been amazing and electric, with a great connection to the audience, but the venue was too small and where we were standing, a light on the wall was broken, my friend was pushed through a door, I was constantly being shoved, and I nearly died of panic as I had just gotten my first tattoo and it was still raw and sore, but this girl in the itchy jumper in front was making it worse by constantly pushing against me, making me worry the ink would fuck up. I saw a photographer near the front, directly under an amp, standing at around maybe 4'3, and she looked like she was on the verge of tears because she couldn't take a picture.

Ended up with a good view in the  end

But apart from the venue, the rest had been amazing, from waiting DJ music in the beginning to the last encore at the end. It took two days for my ears to go back to normal, until I finely relented and had to consult Google on how to fix it.

But anyway, I'm writing about the Academy, not the Magnet.

I had never been to the Academy in Liverpool before. The only one I had ever been to was Manchester for Courtney Love and Kate Nash.

Because I had just gotten off a plane and had to drop off bags, we were late. So we missed the support band, only barely catching the end of the set. Finding somewhere to stand was tricky. I'm a tiny 5'2 Irish girl, not a 5'10 model. And with the place already filled, we ended up standing on the stairs which led to an upstairs balcony of some sort.

I have to admit that I was at home in Ireland when the new album came out, so I never got to have a proper listen, I only went into this knowing three of the new songs and all the old stuff. But these guys are so good live, that it doesn't matter, by the end of it, you'll probably be able recite a chorus of one of the new songs, and the crowd always go mental enough to have a good time, with drink flying all over the place.

A good blend of new and old was played, adding to the high that the crowd was on because nothing says good time like screaming 'Kill the Director', right? Some say that pets reflect their owners? Well I think that the greatness of a crowd is a reflection of the greatness of the band, and with the energy of this crowd, it is obvious that these lads will definitely wind up going places. I get excited when their music is featured on the Vampire Diaries, its only time before they wind up on a blockbuster soundtrack.

Again, there was great crowd interaction, from just talking to the crowd, to getting into the crowd. The nights performance was met with great reception by the crowd. I bet a lot of people are already counting down the days for the next Liverpool gig.

The new album 'Glitterbug' can be found in shops, on iTunes or Spotify now, and will probably wind up becoming part of the summer playlist for people.


Oh and a quick word of advice, if you have epilipsy, there is a lot of flashing lights, fair warning.

All pictures are mine, for once, and as usual, all comments are welcome.

Versatile Blogger Award

So I have had the privilege of being nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award, thanks to my good friend Eilis! (nocatgotmytongue@blogspot.ie)
So a big thank you to her!
Also, I apparently have to nominate some people (15) to do this, but I don't know that many bloggers so, I nominate my roommate (sunrisewithmysadcaptains.blogspot.co.uk) and my friend Rob(marvellousmusing.blogspot.com). Don't be shy to go and give them a read!

And with those thank yous out of the way and the nominations (which are mandatory, those I nominate need to do the same. And don't forget to link who you nominate and who nominated you!)


1/ I'm half blonde. Literally. Over the summer I got the great idea to try and be like Kate Nash, Caitlin Moran, Imelda May, perhaps even a bit like Gemma Teller, which resulted in me dying half of my head a white platinum blonde, and leaving the other half my usual dark brunette. People tend to like it, and not a lot of people have it, so until I get tired of it, it stays.

2/ My music taste is so versatile (haha get it?) that I've seen both the Glee Cast and AC/DC live. Yep, I can go from showtunes to heavy metal, from rockabilly to Irish Trad, and from Taylor Swift to the likes of Evanescence. But both groups were amazing live, and I'm proud that I'll be able to tell my grandkids that I saw Cory Monteith before he died.

3/ I have a facial piercing and a tattoo.
    Yes this one is true. I turned up to my prom/debs with my nose pierced, and I'm after getting a tattoo on my arm, so I'm basically experiencing all life has to offer, well most of it. I don't think I'll be dabbling in the likes of heroin anytime soon.

4/ I'm a chronic nail biter. As a toddler I sucked my thumb until it bled, and it later progressed into full-on nail biting. This year I will be entering into my twenties, and I have yet to find a way of quitting. I've painted it in that bad tasting stuff, I've painted it in nail polish, I've even tried bandaging each individual finger. Nothing works! And as a psych student, I don't know for sure if hypnotherapy would work.

5/ I have recently gotten an offer to study Criminology and Psychology at Liverpool John Moore's University. This one has me very excited! I've accepted! Now I just need to step up my game andget passed a C in my summer exams.

6/ I found out that I have para-somniatic tendencies a few years ago. Turns out it's the reason I locked myself out of the house when I was eight, at 3am. And it's also why I talk in my sleep, growl (occassionally) and hit people. God love whatever guy I wind up with.

7/ I have had music lessons in: Piano, tin-whistle, guitar and African drumming. And I'd say if I were forced to play them all now, I'd be worst at the piano, which pains me. I'd rather learn the fiddle to be honest. My family is big into music, and my mother has a history in the accordian and the tin-whistle. Growing up I've listened to all genres, and while I'd never be one of those people to say 'music saved  my life' or 'music is a big part of me', I will admit that it is  everywhere I go in life.
But seriously, until Courtney Love pulls me from a river to save me from drowning, music has not saved my life.

Feminist Punk Ain't Dead

So last night I went all the way to Manchester with my housemate who, last year while going to see Kate Nash, fell in love with an all-girl rock group called The Tuts.

When I first moved to England she played the album for me and I thought that they were quite cool and then got on with my life, but after last night all I want to do is play them really loudly and sing along until my voice hurts. Alas, I can't because I don't want to piss off the other people in the house, or use the scary word 'feminism', so I'm currently under the guise of doing college work while listening to Johnny Cash instead.

Firstly, The Fallow in Manchester is an amazing venue. When I first walked in, I was like 'this is nice and all but are we in the right building?', only to venture upstairs and find another bar and a small make-shift stage in the corner.
I'd already mixed some Jack Daniels in with my Burger King coke so I was fine in the alcohol department, and I was eager to see the first band, who appeared in the form of two people known as 'The Lab Rats'.

Lab Rats

This guy and gal duo, upon seeing them, had me thinking 'woah this is going to be heavy stuff', until the girl started singing with her acoustic guitar and the guy cracked out a mandolin. Again, I tried to predict the sound and only came up with something along the lines of REM.
Again I was wrong, they were political yet melodical and not over done. While I watched them I silently hoped they had an EP to sell afterwards, which they don't but you can find them on Band Camp. Their songs spoke of the social inequalities within the country, and I have to admit, it was a nice change from 'he loves me/she broke up with me yadda yadda'. With their instruments decked out in stickers and anarchy pictures, they musically combated all of the issues that plague us young people. These are certainly a group whose album I would track down, and try to see live again. Definitely recommended.


El Morgan

The second musical act that came on, consisted of two blonde women. Both took turns playing the acoustic guitar, and both gave me Stevie Nicks/Haim vibes. I think they were called El Morgan, now I could be wrong, I couldn't hear when they spoke and I'm just going by the venue listings, and process of elimination since my Google is acting up.
Easy listening, and as my friend described 'it's as if Elbow and Laura Marling had a baby'.
Again, this act can be found on Band Camp, and again I recommend them highly. I'd probably play them while driving (if I could), or lighting incense and looking for some chill time. Who knows, they might be picked up and you'll see them in a deep scene where the protagonist looks out  the window, dramatically.

The Tuts!

And then, the ladies of the night, The Tuts came on!
We'd seen them walking around, and even though I'd stood next to them earlier on (with my silent internal fangirl attacks), I couldn't get over how nice they were.
Between songs they were very interactive with the crowd, reminding everyone of how they're just like the rest of us, humans with day jobs, and even went so far as to go into the crowd while simultaneously playing!
They were loud, fast,and didn't give a shit. And just like the Lab Rats before them, they didn't waste any time singing about break ups or men. They were empowering, and I definitely saw why Kate Nash chose them as her support when she was touring the UK.
It's nice to see all-girl groups. We don't have enough women in rock, all I can think of is The Runaways and Hole, but even at that Courtney Love had  Eric Erlandson with her.
And it's not just rock, but drumming. The Tuts have a great drummer on their hands, easily bypassing Meg White, I'd rank her up there with Patty Schemel.
This time I don't have to say that I need to hunt down their albums as I got an album, shirt and badges right after the show. And luckily, they're on spotify!

Sadly, I didn't get to see the rest of the acts last night as I had to leave early, but I bet they would of been amazing.

It's good nights, with great bands like these that make college life worth it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the images as I was too short and the uber-fans had pushed to the front. I also only have a stupid little shitty blackberry with horrible camera quality.

Feminist Idols

Before I begin, I just want to say that I was reading a 'how to' article on running a successful blog and it said something along the lines of 'write self help articles for your readers' and 'don't jump from irrelevant topic to irrelevant topic'. So before I begin, I'd just like to state that I may, now and again, commit this oh so heinous crime, and write a little something about a horrible day, or about how much I love a certain celebrity......well maybe not the latter, that may be turned into an odd article on obsession.

But enough of that, my feminist idols is who you're here for.

I thought that I would discuss my top three for this article:

 the first being the fabulous Caitlin Moran.

When I was 16, I was turned on to the book 'How To Be a Woman' written by this fabulous dame. I had the book read within two days, and couldn't stop telling my mother all about it. In fact, I think that it gave me the confidence to talk about really personal girl things like the menstrual cycle, for example. Before I had read the book I'd just be doubled over in pain and really shy going 'Mam...mam....Can I have painkillers?....why?....because...it's my time....my time for the thing!"
After reading the first half of the book, I could say the words 'fat,period, and feminist'.In fact I talk to my roommate about everything now, and I mean everything. I've never read a self help book. I may be a college student studying psychology in England, but to be honest, I don't buy into it, all that self help malarky is just a DIY on your cognitive habits. And that's the beauty of this book!
I hadn't gone looking for it, but it had found me! And at the right time too, before I moved to England and could feel self conscious among city girls in their designer clothes and perfect make up and hair at nine in the morning. On top of it all though, it brought me closer to my mother (which is a long story).
Anywho, after reading the book, and agreeing with everything that was said in it, I was confident and ready to face the world. Don't get me wrong, we all have bad days, but I still have moments when I think about the bit in the book that says that people should compliment others more often in order to brighten up their day, and it really works!

But this is a post on idols, not book reviews, although I may do one someday with a complete breakdown of books I have read and loved. This is a post on feminist idols and about the amazing Ms. Moran.

Upon finishing the book I decided that I wanted to be just like her when I reached adulthood (which I have by now). I wanted to be this person (hair and all, but that also goes into my next idol on the list). Like this idol of mine, I had a busy household with siblings and shared bedrooms. People are terrified when I eat fast, but its just the way I was raised. It was a case of snatch and grab because we always had to race for food before everything was gone. I was a recluse that never went around my housing estate, and fictional worlds were my main escape.

But this woman has said a huge FUCK YOU to the patriarchal system in which we live and hasn't been put off of sharing her opinions and ideas, instead becoming a journalist and printing these views in the funniest ways possible. Strong willed, fast talker, and shameless, this is a woman that I will always look up to. On top of spreading the good news of feminism, I also admire how she has slammed stereotypical radical views, and rather than burn a bra (which I'd love to do on the basis that they can hurt) she has settled down with a family of her own, showing that feminism isn't about women coming out on top, it's about equality and women doing what they want to do without being frowned at for it. If women want to have a career and never get married, they should have the right to do so, and if they want to have a family, they should as well. They should never do things just because society expects them to.
All in all, she is definitely someone that I would love to go on a night out with, or at least stay in with a cup of tea....or a bottle of wine, whichever floats your boat.

Next up, the Quirky Kate......Nash, that is.

Ranging from songs about stalking crushes and silent,black dress wearing girls, to songs about falling out with your best friend, and rapping about social inequalities of the genders, this is your woman. If you want something with a simple piano tune, or an empowered female screaming into a mic, she is definitely the go-to gal.

And, going back to my earlier point on hair, she also had Caitlin's style of having a white streak of hair contrasting against the rest of her dark hair (although full credit goes to Caitlin for starting the trend). It's gone now though, Kate went pink.
I first found this woman circa 2009 and saw her live last October. I must say, you should see her if you ever get a chance. She's wild, energetic, obviously inspired by the next woman on my list, and easily creates a kick ass atmosphere whenever she rocks out.
Also like Caitlin, Kate helps people to reclaim words that society has deemed unacceptable for young ladies. Not only is it unlady like to swear (and I do it like a sailor) it is also wrong, apparently, to use derogatory words like 'slut' and 'whore' if you're a woman. What society forgets is, when us females are really close, it's how we greet each other. We're not exactly serious when we say it, unless we see our arch nemesis in an amazing pair of shoes. Life isn't like Mean Girls, where we all have a secret vindictive agenda and mean what we say when we great each other with insults, we use them so we can learn to brush them off instead. My roommate has called me a slut more times than I can count, and if you were to even try it now, it wouldn't affect me.
After finishing her hit song 'Do-Wah-Doo' Kate then proceeded to spend the next minute walking around the stage saying 'bitch bitch bitch bitch'. And she was so happy doing it! It was adorable! I can't listen to that song anymore without having a smile on my  face!
The entire Girl Talk album is one big rant on behalf of women, and it's an amazing thing, seriously why isn't it platinum yet?! I'm actually waiting for her to work with Lily Allen, that would make my day.
And with that quirky gal of sunshine, I shall now end with my last feminist idol!

The glamorous, no shit taking, and I quote 'testosterone in a dress', Ms. Courtney Love Cobain!

I know I know, some people are probably reading this like 'seriously?!', but if you move away from the conspiracy theories for a second and look at the bigger picture, you'll see where I'm coming from, so bare with me.

She didn't have the best childhood, she had to do all she could to survive, and remained a strong and confident woman. She knew what she wanted to do, she admitted on a few occasions that she can't sing, yet she is still a multi-million record selling woman! She does what she loves, she doesn't take shit, she's honest, even sometimes brutally so. And she's so funny, if anyone here has seen her YouTube Channel. And despite all of the rumors and allegations around her, she still continues on, tells the world to fuck off, and enjoys life.

And people will turn around and say 'yeah but the drugs'.
Yes. I won't deny it. She into them, but so has Keith Richards, and Ozzy, but does anyone care about them doing a line of coke? No! But once Courtney does heroine, or once Stevie Nicks does coke, people just go insane. Her life was in a dark place and she fell, but we all fall. Some people get drunks, other people do worse things, but she pulled out of it for her daughter, she's been clean, and yes she starts fights and goes to court, but that's because she won't take anything sitting down. If you slap Courtney Love, you'll get a black eye, and that's precisely the reason I love her.

And honestly, she's a gifted lyricist, I love her new track and I can't wait to see her in Manchester next month.

And that's what I admire about all of these women. They remember that life is short and precious and that you can only do things if you make them happen. The only person that limits you in life is yourself, and while I may dream of writing a successful screenplay (which I have to begin because I'm that lazy) I still make sure that I enjoy myself when I get side tracked and turn to fanfiction instead!
This idea of life being so short has made these women ignore the haters, say a big giant FUCK YOU to people who put them down and continue to do what they love and enjoy themselves, ignoring mysogny and sexism.

I want the toughness of Courtney, the wittiness of Caitlin and the confidence of Kate.
Courtney, Caitlin, Kate (great alliterations eh?)

And thanks to these women I am, to quote Kate, "An independent women of the 21st century"

xx

I do not own any of the pictures used in this post, and all credit goes towards respected photgraphers and companies