XX Is Rock

Pay attention, folks. I’m talking chromosomes here, not softcore porn. Specifically, all-female rock bands from outside the United States. Didn’t know such groups exist? Well, in the last decade they have transformed, expanded, and most importantly rejuvenated the worlds of rock and metal. And I do mean world.

‍

How and why these two musical genres suddenly underwent an all-female explosion outside the US is a subject worthy of a doctoral dissertation. It might well have started in 2013 with what are now the present iterations of the Japanese bands Baby Metal and Band-Maid. While their performances and outfits draw some of their influences from manga, their music is definitely western-oriented. We’re not talking shamisen and shinobue here (though taiko would fit right in). They and their counterparts sing mostly in English, this being the international language of financial success where popular music is concerned. Singing in Japanese is fine for performing in Japan, but if you want to draw fans in places as diverse as Singapore and Southhampton, you compose and sing in English.

The success of these two bands and others has led to a burgeoning of numbers and creativity among Japanese female bands. Most notable, and a personal favorite, is the rock/metal group Lovebites. With piercing vocals by Asami, thunderous drums by Haruna, bass from Fami, and double guitars by Midori and Miyako (the most accomplished performers of that instrument currently working on the planet), they’ve moved beyond just winning awards to selling out venues all over the world. If you’re in LA in September, go see them. They show what a group of diminutive (Haruna disappears behind her drum set) but hugely talented women can do. Although I wouldn’t mess with Midori. Being a competitive bodybuilder, she has two entirely different approaches to the word ‘shred.’

While they are more metal than rock, I would be remiss if I did not also mention the supergroup Nemophila. For those with a twisted turn of mind, that’s not ‘necrophilia’ (a common mistake). Nemophila is an unperverted flower.

I said this burgeoning of all-female rock/metal bands was a worldwide phenomenon, and I meant it. For example, Indonesia is probably not the first place you think of as a locale for such a phenomenon, but since 2014 we have from there the trio Baceprot (often referred to simply as VOB) to appreciate. They sing in English as well as their native Sundanese, perform in full hijabs, and give the metaphorical finger to withered old men who tut-tut at women performing onstage (much less playing hard rock). One of their early songs is “God, please let me play music.” It goes hard.

These are brave and talented young women changing the world one riff at a time.

Lastly we have a genuine sensation from that hotbed of hard rock — Monterrey, Mexico. Not only are the members of the trio The Warning inventive creators of original songs, they’re sisters. Daniela, Alejandra, and Paulina Velez all play piano, all can sing, and Pauline, or Pau, as she is commonly known, can scream with the best of them. Scream as in metal, not fear. They first gained attention as preteens doing their own take on Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” (which they still perform in concert). They were the first Mexican band of any gender to perform at the MTV Awards preshow, where they absolutely destroyed the audience. Look up the video of their performance there of their song “Evolve” (“I’m not in danger — I’m the danger”). Mariachi music this is not.

Hailing as they do from essentially next door to Arizona, you would think they naturally would play here — and they have. They opened for Halestorm in Phoenix in 2022 and for Godsmack in 2023. I just missed them, but I won’t the next time they visit. You shouldn’t either. Over the next few months they’ll be in Europe, the US east coast and Canada. Not bad for a trio of sisters whose dad sold his Harley to pay for a proper rehearsal setup for them (dad sounds kinda metal himself).

Since this column is a bit heavy on the estrogen, and since I never pass up a chance to mention any interesting musicians whose work I come across, I’ll wind this up with a quick mention of the Volfgang twins. If you think Amon Amarth plays lullabies, these guys are for you. Thanks to the internet,they’re really starting to gain some widespread recognition. They make many of their own instruments. Most notably, drums and tagelharpa. If you don’t know what a tagelharpa is, you’re in for a treat. They’re also axe throwers, but that doesn’t really enter into their music.

Yet.