alterna-girls

THE TOP 20 WOMEN IN "ALTERNATIVE" MUSIC

The fine individuals gracing this page with their presence, have all been selected for one reason and one reason only: their creativity. In recognition of their extraordinary talent and their contribution to the world of music and my personal life, I dedicate this page to the BIG 20. Don't get mad at the exclusion of Tori Amos, Ani Difranco and Kim Gordon: they simply don't affect me personally as much as to deserve placement here. I'm sure you'll find appropriate reverence for them on other sites...

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THE INNOVATORS (1967-1987)

MAUREEN TUCKER

The grandmother of Alternative music, she was a drummer for the greatest band of all time,i.e:The Velvet Underground. "Heroin", which is in my opinon, the best song ever recorded, essentially belongs to her, as the rythm section changes the pace back and forth to an amasing effect which replicates a drug-induced experience better than any Psychidelic song out there. "After Hours" on the 1969 self-titled third album was the only recording she actually wrote and sang on - a haunting piece of introspection which influenced a whole line of female songwriters, including ones on this page. Maureen's solo albums in the next few decades were unnoticed and she had to struggle through relative poverty untill newfound recognition in the 90's.

PATTI SMITH

The original "Alternative Chick". Got started in '75, while hanging around proto-punk poets and musicians in New York City. Her mid 90's comeback introduced millions of cluless grunge kids to many of their heroines' source."Horses" (9),is her first and by far the best album.

DEBBIE HARRY

One of the first females in alt-rock to produce gigantic hits. Always somewhere on the borderline between punk, new wave and disco, author of a perfect album ("Parralel Lines" (10)) and Madonna's early role model.

POLY STYRENE

"Oh Bondage, up yours!!!":The biggest rebel of her time. Probably the first "grrrl", definetely the greatest female singer in a 70's punk band (X-Ray Spex). The band's sax player, Lora Logic, also deserves special mention.

CHRISSIE HYNDE

A legendary New Wave/Post-Punk figure, whose songs by now have found their way to most classic rock radio stations; i.e. she's become fairly mainstream. But it doesn't mean her music wasn't great. Out of all the 80's female rock stars, she sings with the most passion and emotion.

SLITS

The first all female band of any importance. Infamous for their R-rated self-titled album cover. Their sound is complex and chaotic, with a reggae flavor (now a traditional elment in punk).

RAINCOATS

The best underrated female band, championed by Curt Cobain and Kim Gordon. The most musically sophisticated band before Sonic Youth. All of the songs on their first album,"The Raincoats" (10) are totally mesmerising, especially "Life on the Line", which is their homage to "Heroin".

SIOUXIE SIOUX

The Godmother of Goth. The girl benind the look AND the style.

EXENE CERVENKA

The wife/partner of John Doe, of the band X. "The Morld's a Mess, it's in my Kiss" is one of punk's hippest songs, and "Were' Desperate" is the quintessential early hardcore anthem. Later she turned to spoken word/poetry.

TODAY'S GODESSES (1988-1994)

KIM DEAL

Is to bass is what Mo Tucker is to drums. The Pixies pretty much owe their sound to Kim, which means that hundreds of bands wouldn't even exist without her (including Nirvana). The Breeders' "Cannonball", is arguably the most infectious alternative song ever written. Kim doesn't really have a feminist stance or an urgent message to humanity, she just enjoys her trade.

COURTNEY LOVE

The undisputed goddess of alternative music. She's been under a lot of pressure lately due to various conspiracy theories and a rather demeaning documentary linking her to Kurt's death. I personally don't believe any of that shit, but it IS possible that her insatiable, fame-hungry and chameleon-like personality was partly to blame for that '94 suicide. In any event, Courtney is the only individual in music that keeps the spirit of rock alive with her existence alone. And if the girl wants to have fun with glamour, what's wrong with that? Nobody ever doubted her extreme ambition combined with mental instability. Whatever the case may be, on " Live Through This" (10)"Courtney sings with such force and spews out such intense feeling in every single song, that she literally makes me cry, and that's no small feat. The new album,"Celebrity Skin" (10) unfairly criticized by many, in fact contains Hole's best work. It's a "recovery" album, and most of its songs convey a feeling of relief and a fervent embrace of life. Contrary to the accusations, Love did not "sell out", she simply redefined her existence and consequently followed a different muiscal path which was truer to her changing nature. The "grunge" Courtney is no more, but in her persona we still have one of the best and most fascinating artists of our time.

LIZ PHAIR

After three years of being a die-hard fan, I finaly saw Liz's show on 12/01/98. She's my favorite woman in alternative rock. With three absolutely sublime albums (Exile in Guyville (10),Whip-Smart (10),and Whitechocolatespacegg (8)) her tallent as a songwriter/composer is unparalleled. I can't believe Spin magazine so grossly misunderstood her latest release! For Christ's sake, is blowjobs all they want Liz to sing about?!! In any case: to me, the sonic aspect of her songs is as important as the lyrics if not more. Her music and voice project freedom, openness, the riddance of some heavy burden. These feelings are universally appeaing, regardless of gender. While her first album is a declaration of independence of sorts, the second one, as my ex-girlfriend has brilliantly stated is a "travelogue through a relationship". Indeed, Phair's songs evoke Western locations in large part due to the uninhibited, wide range of her sound. No wonder I was constantly listening to her when planning my drive across the U.S. and of course, in its month-long duration. Hers is perfect road-trip music.

BJORK

Here's another powerful composer but with entirely different scope of emotions, mainly because her genre is electronica. Baroque electronica rooted in classical music. For the most part her music explores love and human nature in its sad or ironic manifestations. Bjork's voice is so twisted and drenched in pathos that it's impossible to listen to her without getting chills down your spine. She's also the most theatrical and expressive performer of all on this page. While some just stand and grasp the microphone, she prances all over the stage; all her facial expressions and gesticulations are in key with the lyrics. I had a chance to see her live in may of '98, and I have to say I became an instant convert. She started off slowly, but by the last two songs, the crowd was whipped into a virtual frenzy. "Oh my god, she's an angel": someone screamed extatically!

PJ HARVEY

My favorite quote by her is "I enjoy looking like a tart and thinking like a politician".

BETH GIBBONS

The voice of Portishead, the only one of the 20 other than Bjork and Liz whom I saw in concert. Psychidelic, Noirish Trip-Hop from the Billie Holiday school of singing.

BIKINI KILL

The definitive rockin' chicks. And when I say they ROCK, I do mean it. Imagine the female version of the Sex Pistols, only 10 times harder. Then add songs simialr to Patti Smith's agressive, inflamatory "Rock'n'Roll Nigger", and you'll have Bikini Kill. Their awesome Singles (10) album is one of maybe 5 great Punk albums of the 90's. It can be argued that the song "Rebel Girl" is as important in punk history as let's say "Anarchy in the U.K." Anyone who's into heavy, menacing music will treasure their album in this age when alternative rock is slowly being suffocated by the "sensitive", "whining" tedium (by both males and females) that is overflowing the scene.

NEXT GENERATION (1995- )

SHIRLEY MANSON

The alternative sex-symbol of the late 90's.You could never guess she's over 30. Garbage's music is exploding all over the world's dancefloors.

LOUISE WENER

I have to give my ex-girlfriend credit for introducing me to her. A very intelligent, unconventional songwriter. Also, very underrated in the U.S.: the guy in one of Boston's best used-cd stores thought that the band was called "Smart" and the album: "Sleeper", when in fact, it's just the opposite.

JUSTINE FRISCHMANN

Elastica's lead singer.The coolest of the cool. I fell in love with her sexy British accent when I heard "Connection" on the radio, and rushed to get the album.

CARLA BOZULICH

A promising new talent. Geraldine Fibbers' lead singer. Very intense. Sensitive, yet uncompromising.

SPECIAL AWARD TO THE HARDEST-ROCKING WOMEN IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC :

COREY PARKS and RUYTER SUYS

Nashville Pussy is currently the nastiest, heaviest, rawest, i.e the coolest punk band in the world! And all its guitar and firepower comes from these two women. They play hardcore like it SHOULD be played. They are the only band that keeps modern rock from total collapse.I dare you to find any new bands with chicks (or guys for that matter) who rock harder then this.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Sleater-Kinney,
Bratmobile,
L7,
The Donnas
Fluffy,
Latetia Sadier from Stereolab,
the chic from White Zombie,
Wendy O'Williams,
Letters to Cleo
Lucious Jackson,
Litany,
and all you other rebel girls out there...
Plus, a very special shoutout to Mr.Airplane Man, a Boston area all-girl band who play Fat-Possum stlye blues. They are truly amazing.

Other Notable Women in 20th Century Music that are featured in my music collection:

20's-30's

Mamie Smith
Ma Rainey
Bessie Smith
Bertha Hill
Memphis Minnie
Lizzie Miles
Ethel Waters
Victoria Spivey
Alberta Hunter

40's-50's

Dinah Washington
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holliday
Sara Vaughan
Camille Howard
Hadda Brooks
Helen Humes
Ivie Anderson
Peggy Lee
Ella Johnson
Wanda Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Celia Cruz
Annie Ross
Ruth Brown
LaVern Baker

60'-70's

Shirelles
Marvellettes
Martha Reeves
Ronnettes
Dianah Ross and Supremes
Grace Slick
Janis Joplin
Gladys Knight
Aretha Franklin
Joni Mitchell
Donna Summer

80's-90's

Joan Jett
Pat Benatar
Cindy Lauper
Anabella Lwin
Lucinda Williams
Madonna
Sheryl Crow
Salt'n'Pepa
Janet Jackson
Missy Elliott
TLC
Lauryn Hill
Fiona Apple
Macy Gray

SPECIAL AWARD TO THE ALTERNATIVE WOMAN OF THE CENTURY

BILLIE HOLIDAY

Not only this century's greatest female artist, but also in her own way, the first one who could be considered "alternative". Here are just a few reasons:
A: Her method of singing was remarkably original and radically different from any of her contemporaries. Some cutting-edge music was made under Bille's name with such Jazz visionaries as Lester Young, the so-called "President" of tenor sax. She also composed many of her songs herself, something that most pop-stars of today still do not practice.
B: She lived the lifestyle of a true rock star (dying from drug-related comlications while technically under arrest, at the age of 44), decades before the genre of rock even existed. Her personality and attitude toward relationships, fame and the like was to be almost duplicated by Courtney Love (except the later was never a hooker)
C: She disregarded the racial barriers that existed in her time and openly rebelled against them, prior to the Civil Rights movement. She never attempted to fit in with the opressive society, always remaining outside.
Anyhow, Billie has made some totally sublime recordings in her time, laying the foundations for virtually everything to come, from Sinatra to Portishead. There is no tangible place to start when exploring her vast output, everything she ever sung is absolutely indispensable. I personally prefer her early period (1933-39), and her Quintessential Series from Columbia, especially volumes 1-5 are my favorites. In fact, I recently came to a conclusion that as long as her music is still being printed, it really doesn't matter what else is going on in this crazy world...

SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION

UMKA

While all of the performers on this page hail from either the US or UK, here's one from elsewhwere that desrves mention: Umka, (whose real name is Anna Gerasimova) represents the indie scene in Russia. Some refer to her as "living legend", others as "the Russian Patti Smith". Whether any of these labels are accurate, or whether an aritist with her level of unique individuality needs to be labeled at all, is up to the listener to decide. While emulating the best in classic Punk and Blues, she is distinguished for her highly original lyrics and an an unflinching devotion to the scene, i.e. refusal to sell out. Her sound lies somewhere between the mid 70's proto-punk and the reggae-flavored eclecticism of more recent bands. Even if Russian is a language you don't speak, Umka's spirited delivery, her impassioned DIY style and a knack for melody will keep her songs in your head for days. Those who are fortunate enough to understand the words will be in for an experience not soon forgotten...

Visit Umka's Website. Sorry, no English translation is available.

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