Ghost Fuck

From The Editor:

So recently my band Witch Cult were on the bill with a band whose name and lyrics were disgustingly sexist and anti-female. After refusing to play the show unless the band were removed, that band are now off the bill.

Both Dom and I sent messages to the band explaining why, and they replied with an apology, which is a credit to them. 

So this is a open letter to any band in punk  / hardcore whatever who think it is funny and cool to write lyrics or treat women like they are lower beings. 

My message: 

Hey guys.

So, Im Lizzy, I play bass in Witch Cult. So, my band are pulling out of the Sheffield show because your band and lyrics have no place in our scene.

I understand you maybe think your lyrics are funny because they are so base and perhaps what you consider to ‘punk’.

You have absolutely no place in the scene.

Would you say those lyrics to my face? Come to one of our shows and say that to me.

The way you have de-humanised women and laughed at their sexuality doesn’t even make me mad – I really wanna just tell you some things.

Rape is a huge issue in our culture, and labelling any girl as a slut is not yours, or anyone’s decision. I know it is only a song you have written, but you have no idea how much shit like this perpetuates the idea that women are inferior, sexualised beings. Domestic Violence, pay gaps, and stereotyping all stem from things like this.

Use Punk music to push things forward boys, and don’t think that attitudes like yours will ever survive.

Some things it would be worth you checking out:

http://slutmeansspeakup.org.uk/
http://www.fromthebackoftheroom.com/home.htm
http://raperevengeband.tumblr.com/

Lizzy

Doms Message

Hi ____.

Unfortunately Witch Cult will not be able to play this show.

As you may or may not be aware, we are a band driven by what we believe; especially equality between all races and genders.

Sadly it seems that you do not see eye to eye with us on attitudes towards women and that is something we cannot tolerate.

Their music is the antithesis to what we try to put across and we would not feel comfortable playing with them.

Peace, love, powerviolence,

Witch Cult

If you don’t think you’re punk

Then you already are.

Hey! I was just wondering if you’d be interested in an article about male feminism for Issue #3. Nothing dumb and whiny, but just a quick one on why I stand for it and the prejudices guys suffer from other guys who don’t understand feminism, or from people who are prejudiced towards feminism themselves. Those kinda vibes.

Let me know, I’d love to contribute!

x

Being a Witch

An article I wrote for ’ Grrrls in Subculture’ Zine and also for Ghost Fuck Issue 3 - currently in the making! Please email iamyourgf@gmail.com if you have anything you want in it! <3

By Lizzy (Bournemouth, England)

I play bass guitar in a South Coast Powerviolence band, Witchcult.

http://witchcultpv.wordpress.com/

http://witchcultpv.bandcamp.com/

I am usually the only girl on the lineup – (unless we are playing with the brilliant Veils,www.veilshc.bandcamp.com) but I don’t ever see being on stage or in a band as a spotlight on my gender.

I see it as a great leveller- I am not a girl amongst boys, I am a musician amongst a band. Being female will neither cover me if I mess up a bass break, nor does it make my slides better than the male bassist playing after us.

The other boys in the band are the best band mates I could ever ask for. They are fiercely feminist , pro gay rights and vegan, and they taught me to not ever back down, or apologise for this. They give me absolute confidence to walk into a dingy room full of hardcore / metal men and give out my feminist zine – but not through any pep talks ,or ever starting fights in a display of machism with anyone who held opposing views.

They gave me this confidence by working hard and making tight music with gut-feeling emotional equal rights lyrics, driving 4 hours after work to a show, setting up, playing a sweet set and screaming their thoughts to a room full of people, jumping around lots, and driving home to get up for work at 9am.

I love taking my zine Ghost Fuck www.ghostfuckzine.tumblr.com to shows, because I feel we can play a set which sets out who we are and what we think, but then people can take away the zine and expand on where those thoughts come from. Particularly my feminist ones. Shows are a dizzying, fast and sociable thing. I want people to get cut with an idea at a show, then examine the wound at home (so to speak.).

I have only experienced spectacular sexism a handful of times. We were coming out of practise, carrying our gear, and one of the guys waiting to use the practice room after us said to his middle age balding mate ‘ah, remember when we had girlfriends to carry our stuff around for us?’

I remember putting up footage from my first show in Bristol (which was nuts) and proudly labelling it ‘My first show with Witch Cult, carrying their stuff.’

No, I don’t really ever ‘get involved’ in the pits at shows in an attempt to level myself with the guys squishing each other up. Yeah – I am scared you will hurt my boobs to be honest. I have never felt the need to deny this and prove that I can be ‘up there’ with the ‘real hardcore kids’. I love watching the chaos, watching the bass player play, talking to people on merch stands and learning new things – that’s how I enjoy a show. I usually get home afterwards, make a nice cup of tea, and watch Eastenders.

To any girls wanting to play hardcore or punk music – you have an incredible advantage. A higher pitched voice that will cut though all this male gutteral screaming – use it! After that, its all down to musicianship and working hard.

I am not scared of ever getting sexist heckles at shows. I definitely can’t hear you over the sound of my big muff.

Peace, Love and Powerviolence.

Lizzy