The Grrrls Next Door
All-female punk band, Shiragirl, believe that they are more than just a band—they are a revolution, an attitude, a way of
living. Pushing all the boys aside, they have broken through the male dominated punk rock world to make a name for themselves, and aren't afraid to raise their voices to get noticed. After crashing the 2004 Warped Tour (literally, they showed up in the parking lot with a pink RV and started performing), they were invited back in 2005, only to build their own stage and host over 100 female-fronted bands. Advocates for female bands in the punk scene, Shiragirl speaks up—or shouts—when others want them to stay quiet.
Beyond Race: How and when did you guys start out, and what made you do it?
Shira (vocals): The thing about Shiragirl is this is like “version 2.0.” I started Shiragirl as a solo project, and my first record was electronic, it had a DJ, it was like a different story. That was really cool 'cause we got to crash Warped Tour, and we set up a stage for female-fronted bands, and that's how I met almost all the musicians [I work with now].
BR: So you crashed the Warped Tour in 2004, and you were invited back for 2005?
Shira: 2005 was that first year of the stage. I was a blast. We had no clue what we were doing. It was definitely an experience. We didn't even have a sound person. It was that DIY.
BR: Why was it so important to you guys to do an all-girl stage?
Shira: In 2003, I just noticed at the time there were no female bands on the Warped Tour. It just blew me away because, coming from New York, I knew all these amazing female musicians. I actually confronted Kevin Lyman [creator of the Warped Tour]. I just went up to him pretty much and was like, “Why are there no girls on this tour?!” First thing he said to me was, “Fuck you!” [laughs] He said, “Fuck you! I try to bring the girl bands! I got The Donnas, they sold out!” He was pretty much telling me that every girl band he brings on gets successful, to the point where they...demand too much money. I mean, I don't know the whole trues and falses of it, but the point is, I didn't see any girls. I really wanted the girls to take over.
BR: What's it like being an all-girl band in a male dominated scene?
Shira: It's definitely difficult [but] we're really thankful. We got shown a lotta love. They just like seeing girls, 'cause they're around this male dominated world all the time.
Raine (drums): We were treated like royalty [laughs].
Shira: On the artist end of it, the bands at the top are really, really friendly to us. But then, when you get down to bands more...
Raine: On our level...
Shira: Yeah, younger guys, you definitely see sexism.
BR: Bands like Rancid and NOFX have your back though...
Shira: It's an honor, you know? Fat Mike [NOFX] compares us to L7 and Lunachicks, and that's an honor.
BR: What about the venues you play?
Shira: A lotta the venues...sometimes we get attitudes...like condescending.
Raine: Like, we just don't know what we're talking about. We don't know anything.
BR: How do you guys deal with that?
Shira: I get really pissed, 'cause I'm not blind to it. We just have to kinda grin and bear it, 'cause we have to keep going, you know? And it's like, “Oh, we'll be back in five years when we're headlining your shit, and we'll be sure to get you fired.” [laughs]
BR: So what exactly is a “Shiragirl?” You say it's a revolution. What do you mean by that?
Shira: I think it's all about not taking no for an answer, and just being really determined. So many people will say, “Give up,” and, “You're never gonna get anywhere,” and I just think that it's someone who's not afraid to just go for it.
BR: What's it been like working with Tim Armstrong of Rancid?
Shira: Incredible, he's a genius. You definitely meet different kinds of artists, and you meet the musicians that are more into just hanging out, drinking, rock 'n' roll...and that's awesome. But Tim, I consider him a true artist...really into music. He's just so down to earth.
BR: How did you guys start Girlz in the Hood? What's that all about?
Raine: We moved to Brooklyn. [laughs] We got a practice space in Brooklyn, this beautiful loft, 12-foot-high ceilings. We built a drum riser, we brought all our gear in, and then there was a bar across the street with a little stage downstairs. We just took over, and then Shira had her vision to just have an all-female fronted event here once a month, “We'll call it Girlz in the Hood!”
Shira: Yeah, it's female artists, female DJs, even female bartenders. I like having a “girl power” space, a vibe, you know? But I love that guys come to it too.
Raine: Guys love it. Who wants to go to a sausage fest? “Hey, where are the girls at?” [laughs] There's tons of hot girls everywhere!
BR: Who are you guys' biggest influences?
Raine: Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. That's one and two right there.
Shira: Courtney Love, Rancid...Bikini Kill, Kathleen Hanna. I was really into the whole Riot Grrrl thing. I listened to a lotta hip-hop too growing up...Queen Latifah, Lauryn Hill.
BR: Do you guys consider yourselves feminists?
Raine: Absolutely.
Shira: Absolutely, yeah. I think it's funny how there's like this stigma...I don't understand what's so bad about being feminist.
BR: What does it mean to you guys?
Raine: Well, we're all feminists in a different way. Sammy (bass) is like the married woman who still is all about girls being in rock bands. And then there's me who's like a radical feminist who wants to spray paint the town, you know? And then there's Shira who just wants to start a movement, and just go mainstream with the whole thing so it's not “intimidating” anymore.
BR: What would you say is the number one message in your music?
Shira: It's hard to say one message...I think there's a lot about persistence and just holding true to what you believe. I also think there's a lot about friendship and relationships.
BR: What can we expect from your new album?
Shira: With this record, we definitely want to prove like, “Take us seriously.” At the same time, I just want people to just rock out to it, and love it, and be able to relate.
BR: What do you have to say to all the people who think it's “not feminist” or “too girly” to wear pink?
Shira: I think outside the box. Everyone tries to fit in and, in the end, you just gotta be you. We embrace it and celebrate it, it's almost like a flag.
Raine: Totally rock the neon colors. Like, what do you want us to wear? Brown? [laughs]
Words by Stephanie DeLuca
Their new album, Scream! Spit! Sing!, drops February 10th, celebrated with a free listening party at Angels & Kings (500 E 11th Street, New York, NY 10009).
http://www.myspace.com/shiragirl
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