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Rating: 
Summary: HELL HATH NO FURY ...
Review: My favourite artist, Jarboe (ex Swans) appears in this book in an exhaustive article and interview, with lots of original & some controversial pics. I found info here that is not available anywhere else. But to be honest, I have not read the entire book since lots of the artists are beyond what you might call "obscure." Quite frankly I also failed to pick up what these ladies were so furious about. And Andrea Juno's obscurantist political ramblings sometimes gets irritating. I love the beautifully illustrated cover and rare pictorial material found throughout the book -- the format and presentation are quite special. Serious rock fans, feminists (but not Camille Paglia) and lovers of Re/Search Publications will love it (but they might all have it already). So for the brilliant Jarboe chapter I give it four stars, otherwise it would have been three.
Rating:
Summary: HELL HATH NO FURY ...
Review: My favourite artist, Jarboe (ex Swans) appears in this book in an exhaustive article and interview, with lots of original & some controversial pics. I found info here that is not available anywhere else. But to be honest, I have not read the entire book since lots of the artists are beyond what you might call "obscure." Quite frankly I also failed to pick up what these ladies were so furious about. And Andrea Juno's obscurantist political ramblings sometimes gets irritating. I love the beautifully illustrated cover and rare pictorial material found throughout the book -- the format and presentation are quite special. Serious rock fans, feminists (but not Camille Paglia) and lovers of Re/Search Publications will love it (but they might all have it already). So for the brilliant Jarboe chapter I give it four stars, otherwise it would have been three.
Rating:
Summary: Close-up with an Assortment of Musicians / "Artists"
Review: The Jarboe interview included here is intense and very enlightening. Jarboe, a vocalist, musician, and "artist" really went for disclosure during her time with the interviewer. I fell over with admiration for her and her determination, that is well covered in, and exclusive to that lengthy chapter on her. She talks about her experiences of when she was younger, her time with Swans as an essential player - a WOMAN - in the Swans' saga, her relationship, and her work as a solo recording artist in equal parts. The outlandishness, isolation and pain of her experiences - in life and in work - are balanced here for the reader with the sensitivity and strenght of Jarboe's attitude (not to mention the one of the woman who interviews her). The heart of my old co-worker, a Swans fan, was won over as soon as she read this chapter on Jarboe; up to that point this person was mostly interested in Michael Gira regarding Swans. The other musicians of my taste that are covered in this volume are given decent profiles with fairly interesting articles. I found the articles on Phranc, Kendra Smith and one or two others, quite welcome because I hadn't known those artists at all. Unfortunately, I kept getting distracted by the book's sterile format and unfocused perameters of artistry. Or shall I be fair, and just say this is literally an assortment of artists (of varying scope and breadth) strung together between two covers with really only one thing in common: they are women. Alas, this important factor cannot be diminished. I used to have this book. It was lost or stolen. To its credit, I've chosen to acquire it over again.
Rating:
Summary: Close-up with an Assortment of Musicians / "Artists"
Review: The Jarboe interview included here is intense and very enlightening. Jarboe, a vocalist, musician, and "artist" really went for disclosure during her time with the interviewer. I fell over with admiration for her and her determination, that is well covered in, and exclusive to that lengthy chapter on her. She talks about her experiences of when she was younger, her time with Swans as an essential player - a WOMAN - in the Swans' saga, her relationship, and her work as a solo recording artist in equal parts. The outlandishness, isolation and pain of her experiences - in life and in work - are balanced here for the reader with the sensitivity and strenght of Jarboe's attitude (not to mention the one of the woman who interviews her). The heart of my old co-worker, a Swans fan, was won over as soon as she read this chapter on Jarboe; up to that point this person was mostly interested in Michael Gira regarding Swans. The other musicians of my taste that are covered in this volume are given decent profiles with fairly interesting articles. I found the articles on Phranc, Kendra Smith and one or two others, quite welcome because I hadn't known those artists at all. Unfortunately, I kept getting distracted by the book's sterile format and unfocused perameters of artistry. Or shall I be fair, and just say this is literally an assortment of artists (of varying scope and breadth) strung together between two covers with really only one thing in common: they are women. Alas, this important factor cannot be diminished. I used to have this book. It was lost or stolen. To its credit, I've chosen to acquire it over again.
Rating:
Summary: Close-up with an Assortment of Musicians / "Artists"
Review: The Jarboe interview included here is intense and very enlightening. Jarboe, a vocalist, musician, and "artist" really went for disclosure during her time with the interviewer. I fell over with admiration for her and her determination, that is well covered in, and exclusive to that lengthy chapter on her. She talks about her experiences of when she was younger, her time with Swans as an essential player - a WOMAN - in the Swans' saga, her relationship, and her work as a solo recording artist in equal parts. The outlandishness, isolation and pain of her experiences - in life and in work - are balanced here for the reader with the sensitivity and strenght of Jarboe's attitude (not to mention the one of the woman who interviews her). The heart of my old co-worker, a Swans fan, was won over as soon as she read this chapter on Jarboe; up to that point this person was mostly interested in Michael Gira regarding Swans. The other musicians of my taste that are covered in this volume are given decent profiles with fairly interesting articles. I found the articles on Phranc, Kendra Smith and one or two others, quite welcome because I hadn't known those artists at all. Unfortunately, I kept getting distracted by the book's sterile format and unfocused perameters of artistry. Or shall I be fair, and just say this is literally an assortment of artists (of varying scope and breadth) strung together between two covers with really only one thing in common: they are women. Alas, this important factor cannot be diminished. I used to have this book. It was lost or stolen. To its credit, I've chosen to acquire it over again.
Rating: 
Summary: Angry Women Rock
Review: This is one of the most comprehensive collection of womenrockers known to the planet. Nothing like this exists for the womenpunkers and the artists on the fringe. If you think your undergroundbecause you can understand HOLE or L7, well you've got some research to do. I know i speak for all of us who have read the book when i say "Hurry...up and publish vol. 2!" (scheduled for fall 2001)
Rating:
Summary: Angry Women Rock
Review: This is one of the most comprehensive collection of womenrockers known to the planet. Nothing like this exists for the womenpunkers and the artists on the fringe. If you think your undergroundbecause you can understand HOLE or L7, well you've got some research to do. I know i speak for all of us who have read the book when i say "Hurry...up and publish vol. 2!" (scheduled for fall 2001)
Rating:
Summary: There is no fury like a scorned woman
Review: Up until my early years in college, I really didn't have a full grasp of the feminism movement. I always had this stereotype of bitter, angry women perpetuated by conservatives in the media who thinks that feminists don't shower and are masculine-looking. I was quickly proven wrong when I bought "Angry Women in Rock volume one" when I was in my early twenties. This book was truly my first taste in female empowerment and that the word "feminist" should not be viewed in a negative connotation. Author Andrea Juno explores the term "feminism" with several artists and bands in the alternative music, when 'alternative' truly meant for something and not the bland, dull BS that is polluting the airwaves nowadays. I found this book to be both informative and entertaining. My personal favorite interviews are with Valerie Agnew of the Seattle band 7 Year B***h (one of my favorite bands during the 'grunge' era) and Kathleen Hanna (ex-Bikini Kill vocalist, now Le Tigre vocalist). It was interesting to read about Kathleen Hanna's career choices which included working in the sex industry and her experiences with more conservative 'feminists' like Andrea Dworkin. Another interesting conversation Andrea has is with the San Francisco punk band Tribe 8. In Tribe 8's case, they discussed mostly about lesbian-related issues but the band as a whole. I was totally blown away by the description of their stage performances which involves a strap on, a knife, and occasionally a chainsaw. That was fascinating reading to say the very least. My personal favorite interview is with Valerie Agnew, the drummer from 7 Year B***h. She discusses her friend Mia Zapata's death (RIP Mia), music, and women's sexuality. There are also some really good interviews with artists that I had never heard of before like lesbian folksinger Phranc who occasionally dresses up in drag, Jarboe of Swans, Lois, and Naomi Yang of Galaxie 500. As for mainstream artists, Andrea talks to Chrissie Hyndes of The Pretenders and Joan Jett. Lastly Andrea also talks to a couple of women who run a couple of small, independent record labels Bettina Richards of Thrill Jockey Records and Candice of K Records. I really enjoyed reading "Angry Women in Rock volume one". Not only did it influence me musically (at the time) but also on a deeper level, mainly on women's issues. Very informative and entertaining at the same time. It is rare to find a book that is both.
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