Rock 'n' Roll 'n' Blues Women!

In 2003, Jessica Hopper penned a piece for Punk Planet called "Emo: Where the Girls Aren't." It focused on the burgeoning genre of rock that was drawing youth to live shows; a genre of music that was becoming about a new look and a lifestyle, at least more so than it had in recent years. Emo and hardcore music was evolving as its own scene, and even though there were thousands of bands partaking in the sound, there were still so few women participating. Why? Hopper said it was because the music had become all about faceless, nameless women who were heartbreakers, bitches and all around unworthy of the men singing the songs.

Where would a girl find herself in that?

"It truly did not occur to me to start a band," Hopper writes, "until I saw other women playing music." She cited the riot grrl movement and bands like Babes in Toyland and Bikini Kill as inspiring her to pick up a bass guitar. And now that riot grrl is unfortunately a thing of the past, it's time for females to take part in this otherwise male-dominated subgenre of emo and hardcore music.

Enter Sandra Alva.

The 22-year-old drummer from Los Angeles has almost 20,000 followers on Twitter. She has fans intent on reaching her, sending her photos of them in her T-shirts, having her sign their CD covers. She also happens to be a lesbian.

Alva first became well-known as the drummer of Black Veil Brides, a metal group that performs donned in black paint. After leaving the band last fall, she joined up with Modern Day Escape, an otherwise all-male screamo group. But situated behind her drum set behind four guys, Sandra still steals the show.

"When i was about 10 years old, my cousins joined this band," Sandra told AfterEllen.com. "They practiced at my cousins house and I would always sit and watch. I thought it was so cool how they were able to make their own music, so I decided I wanted to be a musician too. I tried the guitar, the bass, but wasn't feeling it. Then I sat behind the drums, and I easily started playing beats." She said it was a hidden talent, and she kept up with her newfound love of drumming.MORE

Patty Schemel has played with some of the best bands of the last three decades. The out drummer has been on the kits for Hole, Bastard (a short-lived supergroup with Courtney Love, Louise Post and Gina Crosley), Imperial Teen and Juliette and the Licks. And luckily, she's brought a camera with her to recording sessions, backstage areas and into the studio. It was only right that she'd hand over the hours of footage to some capable friends (including director P. David Ebersole) to make a movie out of it.

Hit So Hard Trailer

Q&A: Patty Schemel is Alive and Kick-drumming

If you like dark, pared-down, and unapologetic un-catchy music check out Palo Verde, a two-piece powerhouse of a band. Lauren K’s smashing drums and Terrica Kleinknecht distorted guitar are like a metal show that could fit in your living room. Don’t expect some pop song that will be stuck in your head. Their songs grow slowly and organically, turning into a swirling growl of psychedelic guitar and mesmerizing drumming. Streaming their songs online just barely do justice to their sound, and if you get the chance to see them live you’ll be treated to some of the most intense drumming of your life. (Don’t forget to bring your anti-face melting serum). Watch Lauren K in action here and prepare for ten minutes to come sooner than you thought (Invincible Summer’s Nicole J. Georges is in the vid too!)MORE

Kittie is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in London, Ontario in 1996. A quartet of women, the group rose to success in 1999 when the track "Brackish" from their debut album Spit became a hit single. The band has toured with multiple famous acts, including Slipknot during the early 2000s on their UK tour.

...

2007–present

* Mercedes Lander – drums, vocals, piano
* Morgan Lander – lead vocals, guitar
* Tara McLeod – guitar
* Ivy Vujic – bass guitar
MORE

Sweet and inspiring, Lauren, 27, took some time out to chat with Tom Tom Mag about accentual drumming, “the Meg White effect” and her first drum set (“Shitty Shitty Bang Bang”) via e-mail:

Tell me a little bit about your drumming history. Didn’t you start out playing guitar in a different band? Why did you decide to pick up the drums?
Yes, I started out playing guitar when I was 12 and played guitar and bass in a few bands before Agent Ribbons. I bought a drum set from my high school band-mate Jennifer around 2000 and only played it occasionally because of space constraints. It was nicknamed “Shitty Shitty Bang Bang” and I still have a few of the pieces in my parents’ garage. I had them set up in my living room when Natalie came over and noticed the set. She asked me if I played them and I told her I most certainly did, even though I barely played at that time. But, in typical Lauren fashion, I just jumped right in without over-thinking the scenario and began playing that week!

What do you love best about the drums?
To me, drums are heavy and calculated, which are two very appealing sensibilities. I love the deep resonance drums provide as a musical instrument. The tiny bit of OCD I have is math and pattern-related, so drums fit right in with that!

You have the cutest drum set, by the way. Explain your “kit aesthetic.” (What kind of kit do you use, etc.)
Thank you! The kit is a vintage Ludwig, I don’t know much more technical info than that! The snare is a borrowed metal one because I somehow lost my other nice piccolo snare in San Francisco. The pattern on the drums reminds me of the Tiger Eye stone, all brown and gold swirl. On the kick drum, Natalie and I glued a piece of light blue lace on the front, which is now ripping and looks pretty haggard!

MORE