Garbage singer Shirley Manson discussed sexism in rock in a new Team Rock interview.
Why is there a lack of women in rock and metal?
“Because the whole game of ‘rock’ was designed and maintained by the patriarchy. So if the rules are written by men, it automatically makes it very difficult for women to infiltrate, because women then have to play a man’s game and not their own game, in order to get on the board. And as it is, it’s really very difficult still for women to be treated as equal thinkers and creators in the same way that men are. It’s not enough for a woman to be a great songwriter, she has to be f*c*able in order for a record company to give a f*c*. And that’s patriarchy at its most terrifying.”
Rock and metal is a world where people define themselves as being more free and against the mainstream, yet there’s still a problem with female representation.
“I think the terminology surrounding rock’n’roll at this point is obsolete. Rock to me has always been more about rebellion and freedom of speech and living off-centre, and when you start having old men impose silly old rules, then it becomes something that it never was supposed to be. Music surely is supposed to continue to evolve, and change and adapt and move with the times and the political currents, and so on and so forth. It’s an old stodgy thing that has never really developed past its initial birth. When I hear someone who claims to love rock music, rock’n’roll, any kind of rebellious musical movement, tell me that women aren’t welcome and/or are incapable of being rebellious and being provocateurs or stepping outside of conformity, then I feel like laughing. I feel like dismissing that person entirely, because they’ve got the whole idea wrong. They’ve got these very stringent, strange, tiny little myopic minds that have decreed that rock’n’roll music sits within these tiny, thin parallel lines”.
8 comments
Maybe she should git gud.
used to be hot , was always obnoxious and now that she hit the wall her terrible personality is really showing. Another bitter childless scag
This was that chick in “Garbage”? The band formed by two older, experienced rockers and songwriters who needed a singer and face? Just why is it, one wonders, why is it that the only game in town is the one created by that dreadful old patriarchy?
Hint: what has Ms Manson been spending the last 15 years doing?
Honestly, like stop your white girl whining.
Can’t help you there if you are going to think that can I?
Rock is sexist? Better tell that to Ann & Nancy Wilson, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, rest of The Runaways, Pat Benatar, Alanis Morrissette, Patti Smith, Patty Snythe, Wendy O. Williams, Janis Joplin, Suzi Quatro, The Go-Gos, Debbie Harry, etc.
Feminists always need an excuse for their failure
The patriarchy used to like your band a bunch you old bitty. Sit down, you’re embarassing your grandkids.
Ok first of all “The only word to describe rock at this point is obsolete.” Are you kidding me! No one even likes Shirley Manson. I admit shes got a good style, but come on! Also shes a grunge singer, which probably explains why she’s such a grunge! “makes it difficult for women to infiltrate” never heard of paramore or flyleaf before huh.