In celebration of International Women’s Day, we here at AltCorner thought it was only right that we celebrate some of our favourite women of rock. This is our run down of some badass women making waves in the industry.
Ash Costello (New Years Day) – Words Lizi Birt
The frontwoman of New Years Day is always the first person I think of when someone mentions women of rock. She not only has the most wicked hair and style, but is insanely talented and a real spearhead for positive mental attitude. She is everywhere you look whether it be with NYD, side project The Haxans, using her Depop store to raise money for local animal shelters or her Bat Royalty collaboration with fashion chain Iron Fist. Nothing can stop her, even breaking her foot a few days before the start of the Let’s Get Abducted tour with Attila, although sadly as it wasn’t healing right, she has had to pull out now. But it still shows how dedicated and determined she is. Also if you look at her Instagram most of her posts and captions are about positive mental attitude, including sharing her own stories to help inspire her legions of fans. She kicks ass on (and sometimes off) stage with her insane vocal range and is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet.
Laura Jane Grace (Against! Me) – Words Laura Brown
How can you not admire Laura Jane Grace? She is the ultimate woman in punk rock and a real hero for many. After her public coming out as a transgender woman back in 2012, and the release of the bands album Transgender Dysphoria Blues 2 years later, she has continued to push towards real acceptance of gender reassignment and fluidity and done so with a cool punk attitude. With the addition to those vocals and the lyrical content of the bands material, she is the ultimate woman.
Heidi Shepherd (Butcher Babies) – Words Lizi Birt
The ever-changing hair coloured co-lead vocalist of Butcher Babies is another really cool woman in rock. She kicks ass on stage and has a stage presence most people could only dream of (believe me, I’ve been dreaming for ages!). She has a brilliant voice and is a lovely woman off stage. In her spare time, she promotes positivity of women in rock, as her Instagram is full of her ‘wcw’ each giving comments about the women in terms of how they’re kicking ass. She also collaborates with bandmate Carla Harvey in designing awesome one of a kind clothes and accessories.
Carla Harvey (Butcher Babies) – Words Lizi Birt
Now you can’t have one co-vocalist of Butcher Babies in this list and not the other can we? No we can’t! Well I suppose we could but the thing is, Carla is just as badass as Heidi so she needs to be included! Just like Heidi, she commands and kicks ass on stage and has an insane vocal ability. Her spare time consists of designing incredible pieces of art (seriously, hit up her Instagram for samples and links!), is a published author and also a licensed mortician and grief practitioner. She recently had two pieces of work displayed in a Twilight Zone/ Alfred Hitchcock tribute art show! She’s also linked up with Anthony Lee Win to create a comic book series!
Lauren Tate (Solo/Hands Off Gretel) – Words Sam Johnston
Lauren Tate is fast becoming one of the biggest names in grunge music throughout the UK. I first came across her solo music on YouTube, which were covers. The one that sticks in my memory is her cover of Led Zeppelin’s – Whole Lotta Love, with The Bankrupt Brothers, and what comes to mind instantly is how powerful her voice is with amazing range and big set of lungs to go with it!
For reasons I’m not completely certain of there’s not many women in Rock n Roll, compared to men! Suzi Quatro is widely considered to be the one that initially broke the mold into which some have followed, although not as many as you would think. Lauren certainly is not phased by this slight male dominance and her amazing voice lends itself well to her grunge band Hands Off Gretel.
A special mention, to Avril Lavigne – Words Laura Brown
The first women of pop rock that many of our generation came across. She sang pop songs with a rock and deep emotional ballads that we all sang our hearts out too. She was unashamedly not doing the hair glitter and shiny lip gloss thing; we love her for it. If we just ignore, some, of that later material, that is. The best news? She’s signed a new record deal and we can only hope that new album is just what we’ve been waiting for.