A bit about Metal and our icons: Girlschool

In episode 18 we discussed one of our favorite artists at the moment, Machine girl and the origins of hardcore, one of the main genres they play. We also mentioned the very present influence of the genre of metal in their music and other groups such as 100 gecs. Today we will delve more into this genre and one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time: Girlschool.

Heavy metal first began in the late 1960s with origins from blues rock, psychedelic rock, and acid rock. Nowadays it is incredibly popular and its distorted loud guitars and dense bass and drums can be recognized immediately. A heavy metal band typically includes a lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, drummer, bassist, and a singer with many bands also including a keyboardist as well. Although the key element of heavy metal is generally considered to be the electric guitar and its augmented amplifier (and its incredible solos found in almost every heavy metal song ever) every instrument in heavy metal is essential and requires actual pros. For instance a heavy metal drummer is not your normal drummer they require amazing endurance, speed, coordination, and dexterity as the music often features incredibly complex drum patterns.

The genre was first started by bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. Critics first mocked these groups so certain bands which emerged in the 70s created a “more accessible” heavy metal sound; these include groups like Alice Cooper, Kiss, and Aerosmith. To create this more accessible sound the genres of blues rock and party rock were more involved in the sound of these groups. Nevertheless, in the 1970s other groups were formed which ditched most of the blues influences and began to introduce punk influences. These include the legends Judas Priest, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, and Saxon. In the 1980s Glam Metal appeared with bands like Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, and Poison. During this time the genre of thrash metal also was created by the iconic groups Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Thrash metal was mainly characterized by its tightly compressed sound and multiple bass frequencies. While many heavy metal subgenres became quite mainstream black and death metal continued to be subcultural genres.

It is important to note that although musically these bands changed the game many heavy metal lyrics often addressed misogynistic themes. In the 1980s-2000s girl heavy metal bands such as Girlschool, Nightwish, Delain, Within Temptation were formed and created some much needed space for women in the heavy metal genre.

So here’s a bit about our icons: Girlschool. They are a British hard rock, heavy metal, punk band formed in 1978 and part of the new wave of British heavy metal. They are the longest-running all-female rock band! They first started as a cover band called Painted Lady and released their first single “Take It All Away” in 1978. Girlschool’s songs addressed the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and sex (common themes within the genre of heavy metal) from a female point of view and sometimes addressed serious issues such as the abuse of women and different social and political issues. The band has also collaborated with Motörhead, a band they have had a relationship with since 1979.

by Caro