Hey! I got to write for a zine. My friend Elle on Wheels has a zine called riot grrrl south western australia and asked me to contribute. These were available at the Bunbury Zine Market, and probably at various Bunbury Roller Derby bouts or Rapscallions gigs in the future.
Don’t be “that guy”
Here we go…it’s the first time I’ve been asked for input into a riot girl zine, and it’s an honour to have been asked. I regard myself as a feminist and a man, who, like all men is quite blind to the struggles of women in the underground music world and in society in general. I make no excuses for it, white male privilege protects me from much of the struggles women endure on a daily basis, and unless I look for the injustice or inequalities I’m unlikely to see them.
I think what I’d like to write about on this page is something I’m very conscience of at punk and hardcore gigs. And that’s the lack of women. Everyone likes music, but going to see bands at the local pub isn’t everyones idea of a great time. However if it’s heavy music there is always more men than women. Some of this might come down to preference, but there’s probably a lot more going on here.
First off, it’s a disgrace that girls aren’t taught when they are young that they can play the drums or electric guitar, or they can scream into a microphone like their male peers. Parents are getting better nowadays, (i hope) but theres a long way to go. In my experience, the most dedicated fans of live music often play music themselves.
Next lets talk about exclusion. The boys club is something that you see often with bands. The whole idea that a guy and his male friends will get a band together as a form of male bonding. This part is fine, if thats the intention, however all-male bands are quite often unconsciously doing this, and they don’t even think of their female friends as competent musicians or suitable band pals. Worse still they don’t give women a go often opting for their male friend who is learning an instrument over a female friend learning the same instrument.
When it comes to attendance at venues, women are often entering a hazardous environment. In fact sometimes its surprising that women show up to a punk, metal or hardcore show at all.
Beginning with the unwanted and threatening advances from the opposite sex. Sure, this kind of thing happens elsewhere, but is much more prevalent at a shows where alcohol is being served and theres a real “bro” environment. The other thing is, that guy that was just being a sleaze, is now violently moshing at the front and hitting people in the face making it impossible for women to be in the mosh pit.
A lot of people work really hard to create an environment where everyone can feel welcome, a small community forms and the more men and women involved the better the local music scene becomes. But it’s “that guy” who come and makes women feel uncomfortable and undoes all that hard work. Dude you’re shitting on everyone here. Don’t be “that guy”.
To wrap this all up, the point I’m making is that women are left out when it comes to underground music. I won’t pretend to know what women should do to become more included but I have a message for the men. If your daughter wants to play drums, let her. If your friend is a guitar player, see if she want to jam sometime. And if you are at a gig, treat everyone with respect and give them the space they need to enjoy the show too.
Thanks Elle, for asking me to write something for your zine.
Paul
If you’re interested check out bands I play in -
CABIN FEVER // WITCHCLIFF // RABID ABBOTT
