This is the 21st Century, right? I mean, I’m not confused and am actually living in cave man days, am I? That’s what I thought. We’ve gone through the Civil Rights Movement. And there was suffrage (which sounds like a terrible thing but wasn’t.) So, we are living in supposed enlightened times. I use the word supposed because there are just so many things that make me question whether society is as enlightened as we claim to be.

In case you’ve missed this common theme from past entries there is a little something called “Rock and Roll.” And there are these groups of people who get together to create this wonderful thing and they are called “rock bands.” Yes. I know, it’s a terribly difficult concept to grasp. Rock. Bands. What do those strange words mean? Well let’s examine them.

Rock [rok] noun. (also rock music) music or songs with a strong, heavy beat and usually a simple melody.

Band[band] noun. A group of musicians who perform as an ensemble.

Special thanks go out to the folks at Dictionary.com for providing such succinct definitions.

Using those definitions it would be safe to assume that by combining the two words, a “rock band” is a group of musicians who perform music or songs as an ensemble with a strong, heavy beat and usually a simple melody. Makes sense, yes? We think so.

Now, let’s try a little exercise. Close your eyes. And think about rock bands. Now quick, make a list of five bands. Any five bands. The first five bands you think of. Ok, let’s have a look at your list. What do your bands have in common (other than the fact that they should all be rock bands.)? Chances are pretty good that the bands you chose are all the same genre. They’re probably all bands that you listen to frequently. The probably have one or two guitarists, a drummer, bass player and of course a lead vocalist. And maybe they even have keyboard players. We’ll wager another thing: chances are pretty good that the bands you named are primarily male. Either they’re all guys or they’re all guys with a female singer.

If that assumption isn’t correct, pat yourself on the back and go get yourself a cookie. You win the award for being an open-minded, educated, and liberated music-lover. Congratulations. Consider us members of your own personal fan club.

If that assumption is correct, however, this entry is for you. We’re not going to berate you and tell you that “hey, man, this is 2008. Stop being so pigheaded.” That’s not our style. But be prepared, you are about to be enlightened.

For some reason, when someone says the words “Rock Band” people automatically think of bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, KISS, AC/DC, Cinderella, Godsmack, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, and the list goes on. And there’s nothing wrong with that. These are all very good bands that deserve any and all fame they have received over the years. There’s a reason that The Beatles are one of the first thoughts many people have when they hear the words “rock band.”

Think about it. We’ll guarantee that the words “rock band” didn’t make you conjure up images of bands like Vixen, The Go-Gos, The Runaways, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, kittie, Hole, Girlschool, L7, Shonen Knife, The Donnas, Garbage, Sleater-Kinney, and The Bangles. But why weren’t those bands on your list? They fit the criteria, don’t they? Of course they do! They are, in fact, “a group of musicians who perform music or songs as an ensemble with a strong, heavy beat and usually a simple melody.”

Hmm…that’s a thinker.

Let’s bring this home, shall we? It should come at no surprise at this stage in the Blog of Sound game that your humble author is not only a fan of women in rock and roll but is a member of said community. As lead guitarist in the Connecticut based rock band (yes, there’s that phrase again…) She Eats Planets it’s not uncommon to hear things like, “So you’re in a girl band?” or “Are you a pop band?” or (my personal favorite) “Really? A girl band? Like you’re all girls?”

Well, technically speaking, She Eats Planets is no longer an all-girl band. We don’t discriminate. Our drummer is not only very good but happens to be a guy. But make no bones about it, we have two female guitarists (who play the very masculine Les Paul, SG and even Flying V guitars), a female bass player who could kick your male bass player’s ass chops wise, and of course our singer is an incredibly talented female vocalist. But, yes we’re a female rock band. We might as well be aliens.

Consider the scene as we prepare for shows: We arrive at the venue and start set up. Last time I rolled my Marshall halfstack across the room to get to the stage there was a mixed response of “Woah! Awesome” to just the sound of people being flat-out shocked that a girl might know who Jim Marshall is and why he makes the best damn amplifiers in the world. And as we set up it’s usually a spectacle. Do we know how to set up our gear? Can we do a soundcheck. Can they even play their instruments? Oh wow. She played a chord. Hey look, she knows the notes. But a girl rock band? Did they arrive in a flying saucer? When did the aliens land.

But as the headlining band arrives, goes through the load-in motions and does their soundcheck no one is surprised when the set up wireless gear, hook up their monster amplifiers and play chords and even notes. They’re expected to know what they’re doing. Forget the fact that there is an intrinsic difference between headlining bands and lowly opening acts – the headlining band is a guy band (with a female singer). Of course they know what they’re doing.

Why does it matter if the band is male or female? Hell, I don’t care if you’re a guy, girl, spaceman, or ape. If you can play your instrument and play it well that’s all that matters in the end game. A rock band is a rock band. So wipe that surprised smile off your face. Don’t look so shocked. Girls can play rock and roll too. The aliens have landed. We’ve got guitars and drums and we know how to use them.

Oh my, aliens are playing rock and roll. (And more power to them.)