March is the month that we celebrate women. What better way to celebrate than by celebrating our own amazing women in Rock and Metal.
Bria Hendricks
Vocalist for Cast DowN and LoveCraftMusic
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Bria: The people that are in the band. They inspire on a daily basis. Very talented group of people with so much love and passion for the same thing I have love and passion for. Music is essential to my life. Especially hard, fast, metal.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Bria: Maria Brinks – In This Moment. She is incredible. The way she can alter her voice from a loud gnarly yell to a high pitch moan. Effortless and rare. Gillian Povey from Boudica is another influence. She inspires me to be much more of a down to earth, loving, bad ass.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Bria: Indeed. People look at you entirely different, but if you come in, not over powering and just loving and happy; you get the same in return.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Bria: I have always loved music. I was in choir and competitions since I was little. But listening to bands such as Tool and Deftones…As well as many other bands that have mad double bass and fast screaming guitars. So, I am honored to be able to be melodic and badassery at the same time!!!
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Bria: Owning a crowd consisting of mostly men and watching them be just as proud as if they were watching one of their fellow brothers.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Bria: Tool, Lamb of God, Gojira, Metallica, and Pantera.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Bria: I personally give vocal lessons to people who are trying to find their voice. I believe everyone has the capabilities to sing, they just need to learn how to use their vocal cords. Granted some people are tone deaf. However, I do these lessons for free because as a young child I was ripped off tremendously by people who claimed to be able to give me vocal lessons for $100 each visit and I learned little to nothing…I encourage everyone, male or female. Old or young; to find your voice and be proud of it. Whatever your dream may be…. You only get one life. So why not make it your bitch!
https://www.facebook.com/CastDownMetal
http://www.castdownmetal.net
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Lovecraft503
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Gillian: I’ve always been surrounded by incredibly talented metal musicians/bands and running in those circles for so long made the whole process not seem not so alien. When I was coaxed into starting a band on a dare, I just went with it.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Gillian: Angela Gossow, Jo Bench, and Simone Pluijmers are some of my favorites. Honestly, I tend to look at a band as a whole, but I’ve always been very fond of these women and their talent in particular. Jo Bench is probably my favorite of them all because I went through years of adoring Bolt Thrower before I even realized their bassist was a female. She kills it, and being female isn’t the thing that sets her apart. It bothers me when people single out women and judge them on a different scale than men. She’s not “great, for a chick.” She’s just great.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Gillian: It wasn’t difficult for me to break into metal as a woman. I was terrible when I first started. That’s what made it hard to break into the scene. Ha-ha. It was half humorous/half irritating when I’d pull into a venue and start loading gear only for people to constantly assume I was someone’s girlfriend. I’d like to think I’ve made enough of a name for myself that I don’t have that problem too much anymore. There are still little sexist things that go on here and there, but think my tenacity rises above any of that.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Gillian: I realized my talent after I started Boudica. It was totally a dare, and I rose up to the challenge. I wasn’t expecting much. I had no idea what kind of sounds were going to burst forth from my throat but I was pleasantly surprised when I tried and didn’t entirely fail. I’ve been working on improving my vocals ever since.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Gillian: The best thing about being a woman in metal is inspiring other women and breaking glass ceilings. You’d be amazed by the number of little girls I’ve met that think I’m like the coolest person ever, doing what I do. It’s a great feeling. It makes me so happy to know that those little girls will grow up knowing that they can do whatever they want too.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Gillian: My top five metal bands are all over the place. Old Opeth is my top favorite band followed very closely by Neurosis. At the Gates, Emperor, and Necrophagist. My preferred bands change daily based on my mood.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Gillian: I would tell them they’re no different from any man. Their perceived limitations are set in place by their own minds, not any outside forces. Let your power be known.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BoudicaMetal
Starbie Sixtysix
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Starbie: While I do LOVE most all music, metal gets deep in my soul and moves me the most.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Starbie: Maria Brink of In this Moment inspires me greatly!!! I have watched her grow from a sweet little metal girl into the amazing front woman she is today!!!
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Starbie: It wasn’t hard to break into the scene, for the most part, everyone is great. I mean sure you have to deal with a few jealous ego-driven pricks… but that’s true in almost every facet of life.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Starbie: I have always known music was my path!!! My father was just telling me how, when I was super young, he would find me out in the back of his truck rocking out for the cars passing by!!! I would dress my brother and I up like ROCK STARS, and we would put on a show for the neighborhood!!! From there I took guitar and piano lessons. I also played saxophone all through school!!!
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Starbie: The best thing about being a woman in metal is the fans!!!!! …. and the leather!!!!!!
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Starbie: My top five metal bands in no order are: Ozzy/Black Sabbath, System of a Down, Mushroomhead, Motorhead, and In This Moment
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Starbie: My advice for young women is… Never give up on your dream, no matter what ANYONE tells you. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen!!!!
https://www.facebook.com/toxiczombieband
www.toxiczombie.com
Guitarist for Jennifer Batten, Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson (Bad, Dangerous, HIStory tours and 1993’s Super Bowl performance, which was seen by 1.5 billion people) – just to name a few.
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Jennifer: I grew up in a town that was obsessed by the Beatles, and have been interested in music ever since. Being in a band is not only a great way to learn and grow and become a better musician, but you are also part of a team and the camaraderie can be great fun.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Jennifer: When I was much younger I was inspired by the Runaways with Lita Ford and Joan Jett; before that I recall seeing the female band Fannie on TV. I remember seeing the Runaways coming through an airport dressed in leather and big shiny buckles and I wanted a piece of that vibe.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Jennifer: I didn’t have the consciousness of “breaking into the scene”; I just wanted to play. It was not difficult to find others that wanted to play. If I ran into male bands, and they were not open to having a female, I would just keep searching until I found a friendlier environment.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Jennifer: I never thought about having the talent. It was just a desire to progress as a musician. I started with lessons when I was eight years old, and just continued with various teachers until I went to Musicians Institute, which was a giant “kick start” to becoming a pro. That is where I got the tools that I really needed. I would not have gotten into Michael Jackson’s or Jeff Beck’s bands without that education.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Jennifer: The best thing about being a woman musician, in the genre I’ve chosen, is that there are not that many of us, so it’s much easier to stand out and be remembered than it is for a guy.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Jennifer: My five top bands of all time that have influenced me would be: Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Queen, The Allman Brothers, and maybe Jethro Tull.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Jennifer: Put time into your passion and keep your nose to the grindstone. There are many challenges in any artistic pursuit but there’s no good reason to be deterred. Also, read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It is the best support system for the creative soul that there is!
http://www.jenniferbatten.com
Vocalist for EntoxikutioneR
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Nikita: Metal was the friend I needed growing up white bread trailer trash, it made me feel like a magical beast. I feel like I can be there for other people going through sh*t, by being brave and unabashedly an imaginative goofball.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Nikita: Doro Pesch, Kim Goss, Wendy O. Williams, Yolandi Visser, Angela Gossow, Pussy Riot… I’m sure I am forgetting someone really important and will kick myself later.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Nikita: Nah. I’m me, I’ve never needed permission to be anywhere or anything. There’s some dumb crap out there where people treat you like you won the special Olympics because you’re in a band, that has always been pretty lame. It’s not some great leap of courage to be a mediocre stoner thrash bass player, calm the f*ck down with the Wayne’s World sh*t, ya know?
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Nikita: Hahahahaha… never? I like that Jack Black quote, “What I lack in talent I make up for with intensity.” I’m not a virtuoso, but you really don’t have to be. I respect music, and I also know why I make it.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Nikita: Femininity is powerful, regardless of gender people will always be intrigued and mystified by that sacred magic… when it comes to being in metal, uh… I’m imagining a Han Solo carbonite situation and that didn’t seem particularly pleasant. I will tell you this much, it’s rad having boobs, and metal is what you want.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Nikita: It changes, these are the top five that I’m listening to right now: Blind Guardian, Municipal Waste, Ghoul, Toxic Holocaust, and Gloryhammer.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Nikita: You don’t need to ask anyone permission to do your thing as long as it’s not hurting other people. Be what you want, do you what you will. Rules are arbitrary. It’s cool to try, it’s cool to think, and it’s biggity badass to face your fears and work to become the best version of yourself possible. Never mix LSD with tequila.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/entoxikutioner
http://www.entoxikutioner.com
Vocalist for September Mourning
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Emily: Our music is def more hard rock than metal I’d say and has a strong pop influence which plays on a lot of my influences from when I was little. I think your artistic self is an amalgamation of all the influence in your life.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Emily: For me it’s been more hard rock, rock and pop …. Annie Lennox, Amy Lee and Souixsie Souix.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Emily: Not anymore … I think there is a female presence in rock right now that is undeniable.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Emily: I went to a performing arts high school on a scholarship. that said something about my talent in many different realms of art.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Emily: I think music goes beyond the boundaries of sex, skin color, etc… I feel lucky to be doing what I love as my career choice.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Emily: Bring Me the Horizon, Ssking Alexandria, Periphery, Motionless in White, Avenged Sevenfold.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Emily: Listen to what’s in your heart and follow that lead through life … become the person you would fall in love with… do the things you love to do. Life is too short to do otherwise.
https://www.facebook.com/septembermourning
http://www.septembermourning.com
Rebecca Wager
Bassist for Dead Animal Assembly
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Rebecca: I’ve wanted to be in a metal band since I was about 13 or 14 years old, when I first started to learn how to play bass. Music and art have been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Rebecca: Most definitely Otep Shamaya. She’s such a powerful vocalist, poet, & performer. As well as Morgan Lander of Kittie, & Tairrie B. of My Ruin/Tura Satana.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Rebecca: I wouldn’t say it was hard per se. But so many people would underestimate me or didn’t believe I was capable because I am female. Or didn’t expect I would be as good as I was. One person actually said to me.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Rebecca: That’s something I’ve never really thought about. That’s a very good question. I just never really imagined myself doing anything else. I’ve always lived and breathed art and music.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Rebecca: The best thing about being a woman in metal to me is being able to have to platform to inspire people, especially woman and girls. And to show that women and girls are just as bad ass.
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Rebecca: Oh man! That’s a tough question. There are so many amazing bands out there I have looked up to through the years and I am constantly discovering new and amazing inspiring talent. But if I had to choose just five, it would be: Otep, Slipknot, Kittie, System of a Down, and Dir en grey.
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Rebecca: Never give up. No matter what people may say you can’t do. Because you can. There is going to be people out there who will constantly tear you apart. It may be tough, but channel all that energy into proving them wrong.
https://www.facebook.com/DeadAnimalAssemblyPlant
www.deadanimalassemblyplant.com
Vocalist for Lit by Suffering
MIRP: What inspired you to be a part of a rock/metal band?
Larissa: The music itself! It literally hooked and reeled me in. The opportunity came to be part of a band, so I embraced it.
MIRP: Which female rock/metal band members have most inspired you?
Larissa: Krysta Cameron. That girl blew my mind when I first heard Iwrestledabearonce. She brought so much cool fun energy to her vocals and performing.
MIRP: Was it hard to break into the rock/metal scene that is mostly dominated by men?
Larissa: Quite the opposite really. I think seeing a female perform metal just intrigues a lot of people in the metal scene. I think it helped to have something unique to offer.
MIRP: How did you realize/When did you know you had the talent?
Larissa: I’ve been into music my entire life. And music has followed me. But not until late 2008 did I find my niche in the metal scene. A friend of mine needed a bassist for his post hardcore band so I joined. Shortly after that, I discovered my metal vocals and started really exploring what I could do from there on out.
MIRP: What is the best thing about being a woman in rock/metal?
Larissa: Hmm, for me, the best part about being a female in the metal scene would have to be that fun element of surprise. Like, “Hi, my name’s Larissa. I love rainbows and unicorns. Now let me melt your face with this breakdown”. Haha!
MIRP: What are your top five favorite rock/metal bands?
Larissa: Top 5? That’s a much harder question than it sounds! Veil of Maya, Delusions of Grandeur, Architects, Lorna Shore, and August Burns Red (Not necessarily in that order.)
MIRP: If you could inspire young women to do anything they want in life, what would you say to them?
Larissa: LADIES, stop caring about what everybody thinks and start caring about yourselves! Follow your dreams with a bleeding, undying passion. If you fall, brush off the dirt and get back to your journey. If a sister falls, stop and pick her up. Don’t be afraid to show the world what you have to offer. Be proud of your gifts. Don’t let your flaws define you. You are beautiful, you are strong. Shine like the stars!
https://www.facebook.com/Litbysuffering
