Proof that women rock

Much is said (that I've heard) about the lack of women in rock music. To those people I have one thing to say: you aren't paying attention. Sure, much of normal terrestrial rock radio ignores the very fact that half of the worldwide population is female and even though that percentage does not translate into half of all musicians being females doesn't mean that they don't exist.

Forming my musical tastes of today, I came to discover female-fronted bands such as No Doubt and Hole, both of whom came to wide attention after the male-dominated grunge era and some would even sale that Hole frontwoman Courtney love roade the coattails of her husband Kurt Cobain. Whether she did or not doesn't detract from the very fact that she made her all-female band a successful rock act for the better part of a decade.

After the alt-rock era of the mid- to late-90s came and went, female rockers did seem to vanish. Alas, after that period I'd rather not remember consisting of bands such as Korn and Limp Bizkit polluting the ears of rock fans whose palletes may have been better suited for alternative music, it seemed to be reborn not long after the turn of the century.

After indie rock took the forefront, I took notice of a wide variety of bands who gained traction outside of the United States before making a splash 'round here.

Canadian twin sisters, Tegan & Sara, have a bit of a lighter sound but can also bring the rock in their own way. The very fact that they sound as well live as they do in their studio recordings is a testament to their talent. Check 'em out performing The Con at 89.3 The Current's St. Paul studios.





Of course if your particular flavor of rock is, well, more rocking, there's always California band Rilo Kiley with Portions for Foxes




And if the Twin Cities scene is your thing, local stalwart Mary Lucia is nothing short of an icon when it comes to local radio. Here she is in The Current studios interviewing Tori Amos.