Typical Girls: Women in Punk/Post-Punk/Underground Music (Circa 1975-1980s)

[Dina Hornreich <dina.hornreich AT gmail.com>]

Is anyone else reading Marisa Meltzer's book on the explosion of  
women in rock/pop music in the 90s?

I'm only halfway through it right now, but I do see it's relevance to  
this listserv. It begins with a chapter on riot grrrl, and it  
includes interviews with list-members like Sharon Cheslow and Tobi  
Vail.  I think she puts things into a historical perspective that is  
certainly valid (albeit a little subjective), and overlaps with mine  
(being from "that" generation).

Reading it reminds me of a theory I never developed about women in  
music being part of some kind of giant constellation rather than  
unifying category in and of itself.  There is no one identifying  
factor, but taking a few gigantic steps back you can see something  
uniquely identifyingly female. Or not.

What is weird is that it keeps me wondering why I choose (or have  
chosen) to listen to the music that I do -- to hear what's new and  
innovative and interesting without overlooking the tendency of women  
to have been marginalized; to feel like I am part of something bigger  
and important (a feminist force); just because it catches me in that  
certain way.

On an unrelated note, I have to thank the list for introducing me to  
bands like wetdog and the coathangers. Did we discuss tUnE-yArDs?

...Dina