by Maria DeBlassie
Daily Lobo
Women are rocking the city.
The Ya Ya Boom Project!, Hit by a Bus, Broken Djembe and Hollis Wake, all bands featuring female members, played at the Outpost on July 9.
Despite the fact that rock is considered a testosterone-driven music scene, women are becoming more common, said Monica Demarco, bass player for The Ya Ya Boom Project!
"Female musicians don't have to be a groupie or roadie," she said.
Robert "Danger" Reagan, drummer for the band, said it's great rocking with women.
"I don't look at them as chicks," he said. "I look at them as rock stars."
The band just released a CD, "Pink Insides."
Giovanna Urbina, singer and keyboardist for Hit by a Bus, said she never felt awkward being the only female in the band. Most often it's females that are surprised to see girls rocking out, she said, while guys are more laid back about it.
Jonathan "Screech" Anderson, singer and guitarist for the band, said music transcends gender and race issues. He said Giovanna is like one of the guys.
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"We tell jokes guys wouldn't normally tell around a girl," he said. "Sometimes she thinks up the dirty jokes."
Urbina had no professional training or experience as a singer until band members encouraged her to turn to vocals, she said.
The band will play at the Launchpad as part of their California or Bust Tour that will end in recording an album with producer Sylvia Massey Shivy, who has worked with such artists as Johnny Cash and Tool.
Alma Sever, guitarist for Broken Djembe, said rock is not dominated by males anymore.
"Women are coming out," she said.
When asked what women bring to rock, she said they bring estrogen, adding the gender balance in her band helps to balance the music.
Philip Coffman, the drummer, said it's awesome making music with women.
"It's no different than being in a band with guys," he said. "As long as they can play, it's cool."
Malcolm Joon, guitarist and singer of The Hollis Wake agreed with Coffman.
"We're working with enlightened men," said Sarah Meadows, bass player and singer of the band.
When asked what it was like being women of rock, both Meadows and guitarist/singer Krysty Bosse laughed.
"I don't know what it means to be a man of rock," said Meadows. "So there's really nothing to compare it to."
Demarco said she's dealt with her share of sleazeballs and men who are intimidated by her musical abilities.
"Marisa (the singer) and Monica Demarco get a lot of cat calls," Reagan said. "But then, they're both really good-looking."
Meadows and Bosse have had similar experiences, especially when they were in another band that emphasized sexuality, Bosse said.
"The less you sex it up the better, because then the music can stand on its own," Meadows said.
Although Bosse and Meadows aren't above lifting heavy equipment, they sometimes get the guys to do it for them, they said.
"Play the girl angle when it works for you," Bosse said.
