Why aren't there more all-girl bands?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Tony
Date: 27 Oct 12 - 01:04 AM

Mountain Man is a trio of young women with a unique new all-acoustic sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePwi5M2AJAQ

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Emma
Date: 26 Oct 12 - 07:28 PM

There is a pretty good English all girl rock band called called 'My Heroine'

www.myheroineofficial.com

https://www.facebook.com/myheroinemusic?fref=ts

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: TopcatBanjo
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 04:47 AM

Don't forget Uncle Earl!

Uncle Earl clip

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Alan Squires
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 03:11 PM

At orkney folk festival last week, I saw:

The Shee 6 girls and tremendous as well - electric harp for the bass lines - brilliant

Wrigley Sisters gigging in their own area and still brilliant, if not more so.

Shetland Heritage Fiddlers 90% women or so - brilliant fiddlers.

the Bevvy Sisters3 women singing in brilliant really close harmony just using two lads on guitar and drums but the singing was the main thing.

I am sure there are gradually more women in folk music these days, if not in all girlk bands, playing important roles in mixed bands

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 02:59 PM

Maybe the folk scene is still very blokey, though the last 3 venues I've been to have had several women doing floor spots: autoharps, concertinas, fiddles.

However, the indie scene, as I described above, has a healthy proportion of women players and far more mixed bands than ever make it into mainstream. I guess that since most of them are in their teens and early 20s, they haven't (yet?) come up against the family commitments mentioned by Rockhen above.

I'm probably a bit odd, being a 54 year old bloke going to unsigned indie gigs where I'm often the oldest there by several decades, but some of the music's great. There's a lot of dross too, but it beats paying £100 for a stadium ticket to see a distant screen showing broken-down versions of bands from my youth who've reformed to pay a tax bill :-)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,mayomick
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 02:34 PM

I would not consider it significant whether musicians are female or male either. But I do consider it significant that an all male band is considered "normal" ,but not an all female one . The fact that this thread exists surely suggests that there is a perception that an all woman band is unusual .I think that might put some women musicians off joining or forming an all female group .

For women gender is a selling point much more than it is for men . An all woman band would get talked about and get marketed as an all women band.I don't think that's right . But, while greatly admiring the bravery of those who refuse to let stereotypes interfere with what they want to do , I certainly wouldn't blame young women for not wanting to join an all female band.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: PercyBysshe
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 01:57 PM

Definitely less common. I sing in an all female trio, and we find the folk club scene in particular to be very "blokey". Often we'll be the only women doing floor spots.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rockhen
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 01:27 PM

I would not consider whether the musicians were female or male to be significant. You just hit it off with musicians musically, or you don't, in my experience, whether or not they are male or female. I personally don't think an all-female band is a novelty act, just less common than an all-male band.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,mayo mick
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 12:42 PM

I think the very fact that there is something distinct and different about an all female group might be part of the reason . Good musicians don't want to be in a band which so many would still regard as something of a novelty act .

The problem doesn't arise for men . Nobody would turn around to a man and say , "You're in an all male band ? wow that's cool/unusual etc" Women who just want to play and win recognition for the quality of their music might feel they have to go into mixed bands to stop being bracketed in a non-musical way .

What stands out about the Dixie Chicks, for instance ?Why should somebody like myself who has never actually heard the group's music , know about their existence? Eight years ago I would have probably registered that an American band took a brave stand against the Iraq invasion ,but I would have certainly forgotten their names by now if it hadn't been for the fact that they are an all-woman band.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rockhen
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 11:50 AM

In my own limited experience as an amateur female musician, my rehearsals with my all female band were affected frequently by family situations when if the children of others were ill or needed lifts etc...and one or other of the band had to forgo music for family. However, for some strange reason, whenever I have been in bands with male musicians, they don't seem to be affected by this in the same way. I can honestly say that I can't remember them cancelling for anything but ill health (of themselves!) or something major.
I am lucky, my other half knows how important my music is to me as he is also a musician. So, I have been able to spend time practising and gigging when it has arisen, in the same way that he has.
Most music nights I go to have much fewer female musicians there, than male. Maybe it will change in time. I hope so. It can be a bit lonely out there sometimes when you are the only female in a room but fortunately most musicians, male or female seem fairly welcoming and decent.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 10:37 AM

There are actually LOTS of bands with female instrumentalists. A few are all female, but most are mixed. As I posted on another thread, MOST of the small-venue indie bands I see are mixed these days, which is just not reflected in what gets media airplay, where women seem to be stereotyped as either solo vocalists or members of all girl "manufactured" vocal ensembles who don't play instruments.

On the Indie scene, Ipso Facto, fronted by Rosalie Cunningham, were a great, but short-lived all female band. Vicky Smith, their former drummer, is really good.

Tiny Tin Lady are now 5/6 female, though their horn player (!) is nominally given a female stage designation.

At the last small venue indie mini-festival I went to, at least 30% of the band members (about 25 bands) were women, playing everything from keyboards, fiddle, lead guitar, flute, bass, drums to sax and trumpet.

They're there, but seem to be "filtered out" during the climb to mainstream acceptance.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,LD
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 10:04 AM

...cuz 99% of females always want to be "The Singer" so, there actually are not enough numbers in terms of INSTRUMENTALISTS that form (let's face it) The CORE of actual bands.

And, imo, being the Singer is "easy" - most band singers are not major singers (chops, major range, Celine Dion!), they just are average in scope, they aren't shy at just carrying a tune (which, btw, MOST instrumentalists are very capable of doing)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,larey12
Date: 26 Jan 05 - 07:48 PM

i feel your pain we do need more girl bands i wish they would let my band sing

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,anonomous chick
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 06:41 PM

THE DONNAS ROCK! YEAH!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Crystal
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:30 AM

All boy bands sell better!
I'd be in an all girl band if I could.
Maybe I'll be an all girl band on my own and test out the elderly male folk club organisers theory!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Nov 04 - 07:24 AM

why are there so many all-boy bands?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 08:14 PM

What, you mean Ricki Skaggs isn't a girl?

Art

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Carmen
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 07:59 PM

I recall Eliza Carthy writing in 'fRoots' magazine that young and attractive female singers/musicians never have trouble getting bookings from elderly male folk club organisers.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 07:13 PM

Another all girl pop-rock band (as distinct from some manufactured crap) was Daisy Chain.

One reason Old guy guitarists/singers tend not to talk (as much) to young women guitarists/singers (or even old ones) is they get very wary as being bagged pervy old letches. It may be true but the rejection hurts.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,CK
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 06:40 PM

Here's my take: women have kids, then take care of them; while men have kids, and still play in their bands. I've seen it a million times in the visual, writing, and performing arts. Guys keep having their pre-kids life, while women drastically change their lives with the kid's arrival. There are fewer all female bands, fewer female visual artists in galleries, fewer female writers out there reading their stuff because they do more of the kid-raising gig. And as a concert organizer myself, I see it: there are plenty of solo folk guys wandering around, but not too many solo female ones. They drop out of the scene, have a kid, and stay local. I just don't know any guys who give up their livelihoods and avocations when they become dads.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rosebrook
Date: 15 Nov 04 - 05:33 PM

I play in a local all-girl band. For the past few years, the All-Girl Impromptu Pick-Up Band has been playing traditonal music for contra dances. For instrumentation, we've got dulcimer, concertina, hammered dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, accordian, bodhran and string bass. As all band member are gracefully aged 50+ women (I'm the baby of the group at 46), we have considered re-naming the group to Hot Flash Gals.

If you're anywhere near Oregon's beautiful south coast on the 20th of the month, come dance to our tunes.
South Coast Folk Society

~Rosebrook

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,somergirl
Date: 14 Nov 04 - 08:24 PM

I was in a all girl band once butmy niehbor boy wanted to play the drums but we wouldnt let him.p.s. he got mad.that was stupid.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: hesperis
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 09:06 AM

I was in an all-girl band once... the other songwriter's boyfriend broke us up because I was the first one to say I didn't want him as the producer... neither did anyone else, but I was the one that said it first, so he hated me. He ruined the friendship I had with his gf and tried to ruin the friendships I had with the other members, too. Grrr.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: bubukaba
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 09:32 PM

Two wonderful and related all-girl bands that are currently active are The Softies and the All Girl Summer Fun Band. The Softies are alright - I'm not very familiar with their work - but I can highly reccomend the stuff the All Girl Summer Fun Band does (their style is pretty self-explanatory).
[The Softies: http://www.kpunk.com/softies]
[All Girl Summer Fun Band: http://agsfb.com]

Cub was another good all-girl popish rockish band, though I can't find any definitive website for them.

The Shaggs are pretty legendary - certainly not what most people would choose to listen to, but they've got an interesting story.
[The Shaggs: http://www.susanorlean.com/articles/meet_shaggs.html]

Those are four that I can think of off the top of my head, so I figured I'd contribute!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 08:32 PM

"There are some things man was not meant to know."

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Moonunit
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 12:57 PM

Isambarde are a girlie folk band with a token male!

We are currently a three piece, but when we first formed we had three women, one man and were known as "Ladies and The Tramp"!

www.isambarde.co.uk

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: ossonflags
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 10:04 AM

After "The Supremes" and the "Shirelles" everything else was average.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Kai
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 11:40 PM

I really have no idea why there aren't many all-girl bands. Lately I've been searching for all-girl rock bands but all I could find were bands that had girls as their lead singers. Such as Evanescence, Nightwish, and Lacuna Coil. They kick some major butt though.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 30 Jul 04 - 05:34 AM

I was in a girlie ceilidh band called "2 & 8" for about 9 years in the 1980s. We started cos we danced with a ladies morris side and realised we were being stupid paying for a ceilidh band at our ALE and thought well we could do this. During this time the band met its demise because most of us got married and then in succession we all got pregnant (OK so I started this trend!) and we had to cope with constant maternity leave. As a result we had to have BOYS substituting on a regular basis. Then we all moved house and it was easier to team up with other people more locally. We used to get lots of requests for girl bands so there is demand!

Sarah

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,The Captain
Date: 30 Jul 04 - 04:32 AM

"AROARAH" is an all girl band from Northern California. The girls play "Hard Rock", none of that poppy mellow stuff. They were described as having more balls than most guy bands in a recent review. This 4 piece all girl band, ages 18 to 20 have been playing and writing music together for 3 years. Aroarah recently moved to LA and signed on with a management company and producers Jasan Radford (onesidezero and Abloom) and Chuck Sparks (Trailer Park Pam). They have recorded with David Dunn and at Deluxe Recording. Keep an eye out for these girls and check out their site at http://www.aroarah.com or click on this link. Aroarah

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Ivy
Date: 18 May 04 - 03:12 PM

I've seen quite a few all girl bands.. but it's true most of them aren't very good.. and the ones that are are usually soft rock, alternative, poppy sounding..

I fairly recently jumped into an all chick project.. and it's going wayy better than I ever would have thought

if you want to check it out.. http://www.spankdriven.com

There are quite a few chick musicians here in Toronto.. it's just hard as hell finding good ones.. we got lucky :P plus the singer is very persistent so she contacted every female musician she could find.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Midchuck
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 12:59 PM

Here's one!

Peter

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Tasha Martin
Date: 08 Apr 04 - 12:07 PM

hey im in a all girl band its call Acid Kiss we have a website its www.geocities.com/Acid_kiss_metal and we are in the huntington area i wish there were more chick bands but hey maybe i can some day influence someone if you wanna check us out just go to the site you can sign the guestbook if you wanna tell us what you think thanks!!!
keep the music alive!!! Tasha

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:27 PM

Here in mysterious Franklin County we now have an all "girls" string band (the women are more mature than girlish) who call them selves The Ozark Hens (Just a plucking and a clucking) doing real nice old timey and gospel. A more mature version of the Dixie Chicks I guess.

CB

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 06:04 AM

Fiddler, Terrible but true.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Yohan the great!
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 07:37 PM

Ok, dude!!! There are some all grrl bands but most of them suck. Such as: Lilix, LiveOnRelease, Kittie... BUT there are SOME grrls who can actually play such as: The Donnas, Satirnine, blah blah... Just go look for it!!! You'll find some. PLUS!!! My band is an all grrl band, and we know another local one here so yeah, there are some out there. Go look for it. www.princessriot.cjb.net GO CHECK IT YO!!!
Peace Off!
Yohan ><>

Subject: The Catholic Girls - all girl rock band
From: GUEST,The CGs
Date: 22 Mar 04 - 12:38 AM

Here's an all girl rock band for ya - The Catholic Girls - at www.thecatholicgirls.net Check it out. Band was on MCA in 80s and MTV, reformed in 2000 and has two indie releases now.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: fiddler
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 08:58 AM

Thats terrible Noddy!

LOL

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 13 Mar 04 - 08:34 AM

I am surprised that there are not more all female bands... they say that if three women get together they will talk (sing) until hell freezes over. WHY you ask ? because each is worried what the others two will say about her if she leaves.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,cardboard cutout
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 05:33 PM

what steve says is all partly right, but in the case of Sister Act, most of the musicians are fiddlers, and I've an idea that, in childhood at least, it's easier, has more street-cred, for a girl to be a violinist/fiddler than a boy. So in a way girls have a head start. Besides, most folkies (well the ones who are replicating traditional stuff more exactly, anyway)learn partly from playing along with their elders, at least to start with, rather than paying with peers solely. And some young women are able to withstand the social pressures to completely fit in with their general peers long enough to find a like-minded musical peer group to belong to. (Am I rambling on? Yes, probably, soorry D & J!)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,steve in ottawa
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 04:08 PM

I can't help but wonder is it partly because:

Young women feel they are judged more for how they fit in socially while young men feel they are judged more for what they do?

OK, I admit, this is pretty vague, but here goes. Young men often feel confident of their importance so long as they have a defined place where they are judged superior (or best: irreplaceable), whereas young women often seem to be more interested in how they fit in socially than their own abilities. Thus Ringo could feel confident of his importance and his social place because drums were important and Ringo played drums better than Paul, John, or George. And even before that, he could hone his skills with drums because he felt fewer social pressures to conform, and much MORE social pressure to excel at SOMETHING. In some studies, young women are shown to do worse when in mixed classrooms, probably because they don't want to take too much of the spotlight from young men seeking to excel. Young men seldom hesitate to rock the social boat by trying their best in their field of expertise. Now, my guess is that while it's possible to become a really good solist practicing mostly on one's own, away from social pressures, perhaps learning to be a really good band member can only be learned within a band? And for teenagers, that seems to be done more easily by young men.

So even before child-rearing years, young women have to try harder to specialize in music, especially small-group music, than do young men.

And yep, I'm glad that there are more all-girl groups these days than in the past.

Just a totally irrelevant question: are there more all-girl groups in Japan? Are they talented?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: fiddler
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 03:09 PM

Thanks villan - I missed the www out so if any one is interested the soon to be re vamped Sister Act web site.

Blatant attempt at advertising for free on Mudcat.......

If any one is interested Sara goes by the pseudonym of 'Stepper' on Mudcat. She'll probably pick this thread up later when shes finished palying computer games....

OOPS off subject.

Actually in her other life as flatfoot she got a number of mails (usually males) wanting her to belly dance.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: fiddler
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 03:05 PM

Token Women too!

Well when Gareth (sic gwynneth) Kiddier isn't depping for them!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: breezy
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 10:45 AM

dangerous curves from oo aarh devon

Rosa's daughters Orpington

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 06:53 AM

I can see your point ther Fiddler.
So girlie bands need to be careful what they call themselves, from an internet point of view.

Something that happened with my 12 year old daughter recently.

She wanted to see how her Beanie Babes were getting on from a value point of view.

Normally I check what she is doing. This time, I just didn't think about it and left her to do it, but I was in the same room.

Hard porn sites appeared. Why because babes was in the search. She was very shocked and upset. I just cleared the screen and logged her off.

We have been very careful, becuase she can't go on the Internet without using our machine, and she always asks first. Even so it can go wrong.

Incidentally your link doesn't work "Sister Act"

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: fiddler
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 06:12 AM

Depends what you are looking for - the big thing we found as Sister Act Sister Act which is all girl, your web site gets lost in all the female rights and lesbian sites, nothing against them at all but it is difficult to promote an all female 'band' - advertise.

We (I'm the only fellah - manager roadie and general factotum) have added difficulty that we are not just a band but perform Dance - female musicians of good calibre do exist but not in the same quantities as boys.

Currently we have some of the best available - Thankfully

Andie

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 04 - 05:17 AM

I just did a search for Saggy Bottom Girls, and got more than I bargained for. :-)

The first 2 websites in the Google search were

You have saggy boobs
and
Fat saggy tits

the list goes on, and I will leave you wonder what that list might contain.

I then did a search "saggy bottom girls folk music"
Ah thats a bit better.

so be warned if you serach for them

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From:
Date: 11 Mar 04 - 10:50 PM

Du hast mich gefragt

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Nike
Date: 28 Feb 04 - 12:53 AM

Check out www.aroarah.com

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 25 Nov 03 - 11:25 AM

Three local (Lancashire, UK) trios:

Hands in Pockets, wonderful unaccompanied harmony material, and established for a good number of years (can't remember how many).

Wench All, another unaccompanied harmony group, first saw these a couple of years ago.

And an even newer trio, the Saggy Bottom Girls, who use various instruments as well as singing unaccompanied harmony.

All three groups are getting regular gigs in the north-west, and are worth seeing.

And a local female duo who deserve to be better known: Bailey's Boot. Again, if you see the name advertised, do go and see them, you won't be disappointed.

Joan

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: rich-joy
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 11:33 PM

There's always SAFFIRE - those uppity blues women -
and what about England's LUCKY BAGS : Judy Dinning / Julie-Ann Kay / Liz Law / Zena Tubmen - lovely CD called "Delight in Disorder (from 1998 - on Fellside) + another called "Food For Thought" (1996).
But don't forget the most powerful, long-lived, all-women group of them all : SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK!!!

Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Peace
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 04:33 PM

No, because they ain't, they ain't and they ain't. Other than that, why not?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 04:19 PM

Does "The Bare Naked Ladies" count?

http://img.atpictures.com/bnladies/bnladies21.jpg

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Seaking
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 02:13 PM

- because there's no-one who can read the map between gigs....

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 01:35 PM

Oh yeah, and also, how many female vocalists does it take to record a cover of "Crazy"?








Answer: All of them.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Cluin
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 10:33 AM

Guys keep marrying them and making them quit.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Pinetop Slim
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 10:21 AM

Check out Po' Girl. They do great covers of Shake, Sugaree and Abilene and a lot of original material that pays homage to earlier jazz. One, maybe both, members of the duo is also part of a larger all-female band in the Seattle area -- the Tanyas, or somethin' like that.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: mooman
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 04:05 AM

The Donnas were mentioned wearlier in the thread. I saw them live in a smallish venue a month or so ago and, if one like good hard driving rock (I do), they are difficult to beat. Good musicians one and all and play as if they've been together 10 years (they have!).

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,dickhead
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 02:49 AM

why aren't there more girl bands in mini-skirts

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Metchosin
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 01:59 AM

There are a lot of really good female musicians and when you are a really good musician, you prefer to play with other really good musicians too and gender is not an issue.

Both my daugters play in mixed bands, one plays bass and the other guitar and mandolin.

The only time they have played in an "all girl band" was when they were really young. It wasn't a conscious effort to be an "all girls band", it was just that, at the age when they began, all their friends were female, the same as with "boys" of that age and as with boys, they decided, "Hey, let's make music".

I believe that the reason that there are so few all female bands is because there are even less female musicians, who believe making music with musicians of only their own gender is of primary import.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Amos
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 11:11 PM

And of course, the population of all-girls has been declining. It used to be honorable to tell people one was an all-girl. But those days are lost in the distant past of civilization.


A

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 11:00 PM

There was a California group called Blue Rose, back in the 1980s. Laurie Lewis, Sally Van Meter and three others ladies. Every one could either sing, play, or both. I believe Good Ol' Persons and Side Saddle were origionally all-woman groups also.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Miken
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 10:39 PM

Quartette!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 02:56 PM

Great all F ceilidh band called airs and graces.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Peace
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 02:19 PM

I am a Dixie Chicks fan. The lead singer could make a bishop put his foot through a stained glass window. I just never struck me that they were all girls until I noticed none of them were guys. They transcend gender. Maybe the question should be, "Why aren't there more really good bands?"

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 02:13 PM

i dunno, it seems as if a sort of battle-of-the-alpha-females phenomenon occurs. i know my former band wasn't big enough for two women, and i was sent packing. perhaps something about the way men are socialized to interact lets them get together in groups and play music/sing without feeling competitive more easily. as far as all female bands are concerned, the punk-rock end of the spectrum seems to hold the most promise. celtic music has been a bit of a boys club despite the many talented female musicians it has produced of late. there is a lovely all-female band out of finland, varttiina.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 12:39 PM

The other question would be, why are there so many all-male bands, given that every other person is female?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 03:10 PM

Can't help you with names of Girl Rock Bands, Guest Rick, but this message should take the thread to the top of the forum again. But people are unlikely to email you a list, they will post information to this thread so that anyone interested can also use the information. So do keep checking back on the thread. (If you become a member (free), one of the perks is that you can keep a trace on particular threads that interest you, on your Personal Page, without having to search every time.)

Joan

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Rick
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 12:11 PM

What are your favorite Girl Rock Bands, I know there are some obscure ones out there, I want to find some good Girl Band Rock to make a home CD for myself. If I can get some good info I can probably find the tracks and listen and add them to my library. But I need some good names.

I prefer Rock or Pop Girl Bands, Some even have a male member or two as Musicians but are still considered Girl Band to me.

Give me some good names People. Thanks.

Send list to [e-mail] please

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Jun 03 - 05:11 AM

There used to be a good all-girl rock band (I mean a band that played its own instruments, not girl singers who hired backing musicians)called "Fanny" (had a medium hit with "Charity Ball" in the late 60s or early 70s) and another called "Birtha" who marketed a heavyish sound under the slogan "Birtha has Balls".

I can't remember if Cheetah was all girl, or just the two singers (who really made the whole sound).

Then there were a few punk girl bands such as Hole, and the Slits.   I think there are still some all female punk bands, and I'm not sure if one is not called "Riott Grrrls".

There are quite a few current amateur female folk duos and trios, and I can't remember the name but I think one is based in Orpington Friday club.

Perhaps it partly depends on what you mean by "band".

It may well also depend on the normal view of assertiveness. In general society still exects more assertiveness of men than of women.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 12:29 PM

Whoops, sorry, I meant "dearth"

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 12:26 PM

Judging from the responses above, there clearly are many all-girl bands, so the dirth is perceived rather than real.

But how about the REAL minorities? Why are there so few all-left-handed-instrumentalist groups? Or every-member-called-Spike bands? Or all-doctor-ensembles?

DonMeixner gave the best answer above. I fully support his reasoning.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Miken
Date: 07 Jun 03 - 01:38 AM

Well, tomorrow night I'm going to a CD release/concert at the NW Sea port of a group of all lady shantey and maritime singers called "Broadside". I've heard some of them before in other groups, and they're gonna be great! I'll let ya know.
Mike

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Ely
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 11:47 PM

From what I've seen, girls don't get the same encouragement that boys do. There are several "older" (older than I am) male guitarists in my usual music circle and they have offered me advice on occasion, but they seem to feel more comfortable with the boys than they do with me. Younger men either ignore me completely or raise their eyebrows when I set aside my dainty little lap dulcimer for the guitar. There are only a handful of guys who know me really well and have played with me for years that just treat me like any other musician.

I'm not a great guitarist but I still get the occasional "you're good for a girl". One music-store salesclerk asked me once if the strings I was buying were for my boyfriend (I shop elsewhere now). My guitar teacher always used to tell me to "stop playing like a girl" and get some VOLUME out of the guitar. I think I was his only female student at the time.

I don't usually seek out female musicians--I like the train songs, traveling songs, etc. that appear to be the domain mostly of male performers. This isn't to say I don't think females are as good--nobody beats Etta Baker--I just haven't found ones that "grab" me. I never liked the Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, etc.; I like Kate Wolf but some of her songs are just too . . . girly for me.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 06:39 PM

"...All-Girl Topless Marching Accordion Band!!!!"

Wow! I'll have to see that!! Topless marching accordions!! Not something you see everyday. ("All-Girl" is some sort of award, no?)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Michael S
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 05:58 PM

Working Northern California in the early '90s, one of the best named bluegrass bands ever--100% female-- "The All Girl Boys."

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 03:48 PM

The Buffalo Gals are 4/5 female, which is probably more unusual than 100%. They play mostly western swing. Doug Lohman, the only male, is NOT the leader. I don't know if the band has an official leader, but Mary DuShane seems like one. She used to be a member of the Powdermilk Biscuit Band on the Prairie Home Companion radio show.

The Tsatskelehs (Boy, did I have a tough time figuring out how to spell that!) are an "all-grrrl" klezmer band based in Minneapolis.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 11:00 AM

I'm taking Applications for My All-Girl Topless Marching Accordion Band!!!!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 08:57 AM

They do more than kids' records; they do lots more. And their concerts are great.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Davetnova
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 06:51 AM

Shine - they are all female and brilliant

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Lidy
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 06:23 AM

The Donnas? On here? I thought i was the only one...
also, about girl groups. girl group dynamics are very difficult to get right, there's usually some sort of bitching/rivalry/jealousy. i know, i went to an all girls school. they'll often drag a lad in just to keep the daggers at bay! rehearsals often descend into "i'll just put the kettle on and we'll have a break" and chatting. Maybe my girl groups were just never really committed enough...

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: sweetfire
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 06:12 AM

What about the Donnas? Anyone heard of them? Play their own intrumets etc, and actually have thier own style...

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 06 Jun 03 - 03:41 AM

...back on the jazz kick, I see that despite her MS, Gail Thompson (sax)has formed a new all-woman, all-black band called Noir Femmes.

RtS

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 03 - 12:23 PM

One was a folk duo, two were jazz bands.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: John P
Date: 10 May 03 - 11:52 AM

Strange how different people have different experiences. I've never heard of such a thing.

"Several circumstances"?? Really? Folk bands?

John

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 03 - 11:04 AM

Actually, I disagree that people don't give a damn about gender in the choice of bandmates. The choice of bandmates rarely is just about who the best musician is--it has to do with compatability, with their commitment to the type of music the band plays, with their availability, and sometimes, the musician's gender. I personally know of several circumstances where women musicians have been overlooked because male musicians in the band assumed they would quit the band or slow them down because of child bearing/rearing.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: John P
Date: 10 May 03 - 10:14 AM

Maybe one reason is that most female musicians are, thank god, more interested in making good music in a non-sex-specific way than they are in being in a girl group.

All of the women I am close to are feminists and most are musicians. Everyone knows that, like with most professions, there are more men professionals than women, but the situation is a little better with folk music than with other genres, and no one gives a damn about any of that when it comes to choosing one's band mates.

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST
Date: 10 May 03 - 09:07 AM

Add to that the Pointer Sisters, Four Bitchin' Babes, Silly Sisters, Indigo Girls and a bizillion other women duos.

The real answer is that music is no different from any other industry in terms of the face lift that has occurred as a result of women coming in to the field. Professional music was once a predominately male profession. That has changed, all for the better, with women coming into their own. There isn't anything even remotely reaching parity of numbers between the genders of professional musicians. But considering the list we have accumulated here, we can see that we're off to a great start.

I think the more important question, really, than 'all female' groups, is how many groups are led by women, where the female musician is the one calling all the shots, not the male members. My guess is, there are many fewer of those than there are all female groups. Sexism and gender discrimination is still very prevalent in the music industry.

Musicians like Sharon Shannon, Alison Kraus, Emmylou, etc. are all individual musicians who have back up bands, justg as a male 'star' would. Not a single group with female members to mind where the comes to mind where the female musician in the band is 'in charge'.

Can anyone come up with one?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Strollin' Johnny
Date: 10 May 03 - 07:22 AM

How odd that no-one picked up on michaelr's mention of The Poozies! Best in their early incarnation with Sally Barker (what a singer! What a writer! what a woman!!) but still great through later ones with the delicious Kate Rusby (one of the three best voices in the UK, the others being Kathryn Roberts and Miranda Sykes) and the Scottish lady fiddle-player whose name I've forgotten (Eilidh? Sorry, it's my advancing years killing off most of my grey cells!). Patsy and Mary, two excellent harpers and, of course, Karen Tweed the Guv'nor (Guv'ness?) of accordion players. Absolute Stars - more please ladies!
JB

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 09 May 03 - 09:20 PM

One of the great sea music groups out there is the 5-member all-women The Johnson Girls, based in New York. Great singing and very interesting and unusual repertoire. The Windlasses also come to mind. Time will tell if they inspire other women to form their own sea music bands. Maybe they have already.

In U.S. celtic fiddling, the duo of Athena Tergis (now Athena O'Lochlainn) and Laura Risk have been a direct influence on other young women fidlers. The Boston fiddle band Halali point to Athena and Laura as their inspiration (fiddlers Hanneke Cassel, Laura Cortese, and Lissa Schneckenburger - ok, their guitar accompanist is a guy). Times are changing, and these groups example will no doubt influence and encourage others.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: LesB
Date: 09 May 03 - 04:25 PM

I saw The Witches of Elswick last week at Moor & Coast, & as Vin Garbutt would say 'I think their great'.
Les (not to be confused with Guest LesB)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 09 May 03 - 03:42 PM

Of course there were the BOSOM BUDDIES out of Lansing, Michigan a couple o' decades ago.

But to answer the question that titles this thread:-----Some might say that there are so few all-girl bands because there are so few all-girls these days.   ((((((((((HUGE SMILE PLUS A GIGANTIC GUFFAW)))))))))))))).

Just a little joke !!!!!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 May 03 - 03:28 PM

There's a GREAT band out there these days called "Painting Dasies"

Check 'em Out!

;-)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: open mike
Date: 09 May 03 - 02:58 PM

rob wright, are you any relation to www.sky-web.net/taggartandwright/
the wright in this duo? Is that how you know about their attitudes?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: breezy
Date: 09 May 03 - 09:36 AM

Dangerous curves

there I said it

st Albans Fri5th december

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 May 03 - 03:21 AM

....and didn't Rick Fielding's mother play in one of those wartime all-women orchestras, formed when many male musos had been drafted?

RtS

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 08 May 03 - 06:55 PM

The B Good Tanyas?(sp?)
Ray

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Fay
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:24 PM

The Witches of Elswick like to think of themselves as an all girl band, even if some of their habits are a little, shall we say, manly.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:16 PM

A very talented all-girl band called 'The Glacial Erratics' does a bit of touring, in the Yukon and on the East Coast of the US. Each of the four (Betsy Sims, Martha Scott Stey, Kim Barlow and Andrea McColeman) is a wonderful musician in her own right, and they have some great CDs out together too. Two of them are from Whitehorse, Yukon Territory and two live in Juneau.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,starcam03
Date: 08 May 03 - 04:37 PM

Hmmm... blackcat has a good point... those male groupies would be awfully skanky!! lol... Well, I guess it's not as though there aren't plenty of solo female artists - Sarah MacLachlan, Jewell, Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Bjork, Tracy Chapman, and on and on. And, as Les B. pointed out, there's always the Dixie Chicks. But the only new all-girl band, as of late, that I have heard of on the scene is Lillix
and fortunately, they are pretty tight. It's bad enough that all-girl bands like the Go-Gos, The Bangles or Bananarama only seem to come around once every decade, but if the ones that did come out weren't any good, I just don't think I could stand it.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 08 May 03 - 03:45 PM

Check out this American/Canadian folk trio, named in honor of Malvina Reynolds:

www.themalvinas.com

(Sorry -- can't make a proper hyperlink that reaches outside modcat.org.)

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 May 03 - 09:18 AM

Well, of course I'm old enough to remember Ivy Benson and her All-girl Orchestra, which went on, though often reduced in size, until Ivy passed on.
Today in Jazz there are groups led by Annie Whitehead and Deidre Cartwright.

RtS

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Rob Wright
Date: 08 May 03 - 07:50 AM

forgot to give their web site www.sky-web.net/taggartandwright/ where you can see and hear for yourself.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Rob Wright
Date: 08 May 03 - 07:48 AM

Well there is the tremendous TAGGART and WRIGHT. Now thats a duo with attitude, most of it bad.

The do have the strongest roadie in the folk world...twice World Champion Powerlifter? So if they girls dont get the hecklers the roadie will.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Bagpuss
Date: 08 May 03 - 07:45 AM

Sisters Unlimited, as well as other all female singing groups that I can't think of the names of at just this moment.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Q
Date: 08 May 03 - 07:33 AM

I remember large all-girl orchestras from the 1940s. They got quite a bit of play back then. Don't shoot, girls! My language is from that time period as well.
Freddy Shafer(sp?) and his all-girl orchestra- yes, a man as leader. Then there was the Hour of Charm orchestra, don't remember the leader.
Ina Ray Hutton- a truly all-girl jazz band. The names are starting to come back-

They went out with the big band era, I think.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Strupag
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:05 AM

There's a superb all-female traditional band in the Highlands these days called Dochas - Absolutely great stuff!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Georgina Boyes
Date: 08 May 03 - 05:00 AM

The truly wonderful dance band, Token Women, say the fact that not having a string bass player in their line-up is about as significant as the fact that they don't have a man in the band. They're just a collection of great musicians and they play together incredibly well.

But there are plenty of all women bands if you want to look at membership on a gender basis. What about Jo Freya's band, Freya Federation? And notable song and music groups like Grace Notes, acappella bands like Stravaig and Stairheid Gossip, to say nothing of duos like Taggart and Wright.

Perhaps you should get out more - and just enjoy the music.
Georgina Boyes

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Letty
Date: 08 May 03 - 04:56 AM

Another reason is that some instruments are more likely to be played by men. If you need a bass in your group, it's hard to find a woman,
for example (although I happen to know a woman who plays a 3/4 upright bass, and she's only 1.60m!).
But then again, you can ask: why don't more girls play the bass/electric guitar/drums/bagpipes, etc.?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: alanabit
Date: 08 May 03 - 02:56 AM

I have thought about this a bit lately. I am guilty of listening to the odd bit of rock and roll and I really liked The Bangles. I think it comes down to the old chestnut of childbearing. If you get a few young women together who are in their late twenties/early thirties, one or more of them is likely to want children. Even if the women only take the minimum time out, this is likely to prove a major disruption to the band's ability to rehearse, organise, perform, promote and record. I think The Bangles were a bloody good pop group, but they took a few years out - probably to raise children. Good luck to them. I hope they are successful again. Far fewer blokes are likely to give up those critical years to stay at home with their children - which gives male bands a huge advantage. Continuity is easier for male bands.
I certainly see more women playing instruments and performing music than I used to. Good luck to them. Bring 'em on.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: maire-aine
Date: 08 May 03 - 12:49 AM

Cherish the Ladies is the only group I can think of offhand.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 08 May 03 - 12:33 AM

The true question is - how many local all-women bands are there? Then and arguement might be able to be made that they aren't commecial enough, or that producers are biased against them. Or it might just be that there's not enough women who what to committ their lives to recording and touring, recording and touring,

Plus, can you imagine how skanky male groupies would be?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 07 May 03 - 11:23 PM

Because it's a sexist conception *no pun intended)
If a couple of girel musicians form a group. and hire the best musicians they can find, and it turns out that they are all women, that's ok.
But (no pun intnded) if they decide, before hand, that they'll only hire women, they might just be hiring musicians who are not the best available, and that's not only sexist, but stupid as well, and they deserve to be less than excellent.

And the same goes for men

So there

Jody Gibson.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 07 May 03 - 09:36 PM

Because.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Mr Happy
Date: 07 May 03 - 08:42 PM

people are always asking for more gurl bands- there's no demand!

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 May 03 - 08:23 PM

or they just might like playing with guys? Barry

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: michaelr
Date: 07 May 03 - 08:07 PM

The Poozies come to mind... what does that mean? Anyone know?

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 May 03 - 06:07 PM

There is/used to be a very good local band called 'Babes with Axes', (Laura Kemp, Debbie Diedrich, Katie Henry, and T.R. Kelley). Not sure whether they're still recording.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 May 03 - 06:04 PM

I think it's just a case of "monkey-see, monkey-do". There's a tradition out there for male bands, and the tradition keeps repeating itself, that's all. There isn't much of a tradition for female bands. It certainly isn't because the girls aren't capable of it.

You might ask the same question regarding: "Why aren't there more black hockey players?"

Same basic reason, I'd say. Tradition sets expectations.

- LH

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 May 03 - 06:01 PM

Dont know wether they qualify as a 'Band' but Third Degree Burns are
worth a mention.

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,Les B.
Date: 07 May 03 - 05:36 PM

Well, how about the Dixie Chicks ?

Subject: RE: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 May 03 - 05:31 PM

Go back to the Coon Creek Girls, most incarnations of the Carter Family.....

Spaw

Subject: Why aren't there more all-girl bands?
From: GUEST,starcam03
Date: 07 May 03 - 05:24 PM

There's plenty of female singers, but how often do you see a really great band consisting of all women? And I'm not talking about girl 'groups' such as the Spice Girls. I'm talking about real songwriters who can play their own music! Why is that do you think? I can think of a few off the top of my head, but I'd be interested to see how many legendary 'girl groups' we can list here…