UMAmi
Review of “Pretend We’re Dead: The Rise, Fall, & Resurrection of Women in Rock in the ‘90s”
Here ARRR some thoughts on Pirate Metal
A sneak peek at AltFest vibes you can check out before the main event on October 11th
September Music Calendar
An update that’s music to our ears
Images from the OK UMA
Save Film Row!
The screening room inside the former Paramount Film Exchange (the last of its kind) faces closure when its lease ends August 31, 2025. Without intervention, it will be gutted and lost to history. Without support, Oklahoma risks losing one of the nation’s last surviving links to the birth of the film industry.
Donate, share, and spread the word at SaveFilmRow.com.
Jackalope Jams
I thought it would be fun to share a few storytelling prompts I’ve used in making playlists. Feel free to share your own!
Prompt One: Take a familiar story and give it a twist
The Mermaid and the Sea Witch is a dark Sapphic take on “The Little Mermaid,” a smidge closer to Andersen’s original than the Disney version.
Prompt Two: Make a soundtrack for your favorite fan theory or meme
Engineers of Dreams and Nightmares is a fanmix for the idea that “Snowpiercer” is a sequel to “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (aka Willy Wonka).
Prompt Three: Mash a few things together - what does it sound like?
Themyscira Roller Rink is a combination of Wonder Woman plus Xanadu (which I hadn’t actually seen at the time) plus childhood memories.
Prompt Four: Make a fanmix for a side character or antagonist
Distinctiveness is a playlist dedicated to everyone’s favorite artificial swedeners, the Borg (of Star Trek).
Psssst...did you know September is Library Card Signup Month? So whatcha waitin’ for?
GO ON TAKE EVERYTHING
A Critique/Review of Tanya Pearson’s “Pretend We’re Dead: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of Women in Rock in the ‘90s” By Granny Anarchy
The first thing one should know is that the song “Pretend We’re Dead” was written by Donita Sparks of L7 as a reaction to Reagan/Bush era apathy.
Sparks deliberately chose the name L7 to be without gender and has expressed discomfort with being categorized under “Women in Rock.” So choosing her song title for a book about women in music, their rise in prominence, and their subsequent shrinkage of market share and (re)subjugation to male gaze gender norms in a post-9/11 world may not be completely apt.
Tanya Pearson is a historian and founder of the Women of Rock Oral History Project (tinyurl.com/ynd4ha82). She has amassed research and collected interviews and digital transcripts. In “Pretend We’re Dead,” she explores how the disparate, varied and thriving culture of pre-9/11 gave way to a more stifled, misogynistic music scene. Pearson gives particular attention to Belly, Tracy Bonham, Garbage, Hole, Luscious Jackson, Liz Phair, Sonic Youth, The Breeders, Throwing Muses, and Veruca Salt. There are mentions of acts such as Babes in Toyland, PJ Harvey, Juliana Hatfield, Mazzy Star, Alanis Morissette, and Peaches. However, Pearson specifically states she that won’t be writing about Riot Grrrls, and there are a plethora of women artists who were – whether we liked them or not – extremely seen, heard, and active in the time period covered (roughly the 1990s grunge era through the 2000s NYC/emo scene) that have mysteriously been left out of this somewhat slender (approximately 245 page hardback) volume.
These glaring holes and glossed-over careers of wild, subversive, genre-bending and game-changing women do Pearson a disservice. Although her book is an extended essay and not a scientific study, if you take one of the basic rules of studies, it is: sample size matters. The smaller your sample, the more inaccurate and questionable your results.
Pearson makes terrific points. But her narrow focus in regard to artists greatly hinders her credibility. She has published a timely, worthy premise, but leaves us with a book that is shy of a five-star recommendation, as her limited, restricted focus feels cherrypicked. This is a shame, as I enthusiastically and wholeheartedly agree with her findings and would appreciate more solid presentations to back up her limited argument and shown work.
Many of these artists were all over the airwaves and overflowing into other media in the early-to-mid 1990s. But, as the decade waned and into the 2000s (although some continued their careers), their alternative and mainstream support slid, still proving Pearson’s point. Their inclusion in “Pretend We’re Dead” would have only added to her argument:
4 Non Blondes/Linda Perry
Tori Amos
Fiona Apple
Bif Naked
Bjork/The Sugarcubes
Edie Brickell
Meredith Brooks
Concrete Blonde/Johnette Napolitano
Ani DiFranco
Chrissie Hynde/The Pretenders
Jewel
Joan Jett
Le Tigre
Letters to Cleo
Aimee Mann/Til Tuesday
No Doubt
The Cranberries
The Donnas
Although perhaps beyond Person’s focus, “uncompromising, unapologetic, strong, shocking, rowdy, eclectic,” women led the way in gothic rock, where there was perhaps more tolerance for female influence in the 1980s and 1990s. See Patricia Morrison (Sisters of Mercy), Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins, and Siouxie Sioux. And who is more shocking than Sinead O'Connor? Yet she is never mentioned.
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Suzanne Vega released 99.9F in 1992. “Nine Objects of Desire” (her 5 studio album) was released in 1996. The single "Caramel" was featured in the movie “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” (1996), and later in the movie trailer for “Closer” (2004). Yet her name remained mostly off of pop radar.
Other brash, confrontational, defiant, groundbreaking, iconoclast, notorious, and in some cases, shy but solid artists Pearson chose to exclude or was dismissive of are:
Skunk Anansie
Neko Case
Elastica
Exene Cervenka/X
Tracy Chapman
Emily Haines/Metric
Lush
Karen O/The Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Portishead
Cat Power
Sleater-Kinney
The Muffs
Meg White (The White Stripes)
Of course, she deliberately left out Riot Grrrls, including Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, Dickless, and Calamity Jane.
Lastly, although this may also be a product of mainstream media and even alternative attitude in the 1990s, there are few to no nonwhite or trans women. And only one or two LGBTQ+ members at all (or vocal allies) in Pearson’s dozen or so main interview subjects. Again, Pearson does stick to her (narrow) focus.
With all of this criticism, why would I (rather heartily) recommend “Pretend We’re Dead”? Disregarding all that it leaves out, it still chronicles an intense and important time in music and cultural history. Despite its small sample size and limited focus, it gets a lot correct. Her facts, her timeline about the Telecommunications Act of 1996, the metastasizing of Clear Channel, the monopolization and business model shift of the Big Four/Three record companies, is accurate – and provides a clear framework to see how nu metal gave misogyny a way to shove feminism aside and how the stage was set for post-9/11 American society to suggest “it’s scarytimes, let’s return to more traditional, restrictive gender norms.”
What if you’ve read (or skimmed) all of this and are thinking “that’s great’n’all, but what about CURRENT fabulous female energy in subversive (or at least loud) music? Here are some of Granny Anarchy’s recommendations:
Descartes a Kant
Sofia Isella
Lambrini Girls
Skating Polly
Sprints
St. Vincent
The Linda Lindas
Wet Leg
As well as:
Beth Ditto
Laura Jane Grace
Pussy Riot
TacoCat
See also (1980s or earlier):
Viv Albertine/The Slits
Poison Ivy/The Cramps
Mia Zapata/The Gits
read the full piece with Granny Anarchy’s favorite quotes here
The Go-Gos (yes, they were badass)
AYE listened to some pirate metal, here ARR my thoughts bylapêchepunkette
In preparation for International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19, I bring you an honest review of a few bands in metal’s kitschiest subgenre: pirate metal.
Alestorm is the band first conjured by most when thinking of pirate metal. Their music leans into NSPesque, comedy band territory, like in “Mountains of the Deep” on this year’s new album “The Thunderfist Chronicles.” Because of their seasailin' schtick, Alestorm hasn’t had to grow much since their first album, “Captain Morgan’s Revenge,” released during the peak of Pirates of the Caribbean’s pop culture moment. This has resulted in a gigantic discography of synthy, highly produced pirate metal that one could imagine being played at a themed bachelor party or freecover-for-pirate-costumes night at a local venue.
In March of this year, Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, Trollfest, and Nini came to Beer City as part of Folkfest of the North, and UMAmi’s own Opposum was able to attend. The best part? Trollfest, a goofy group who demand their audience “Dance Like a Pink Flamingo” (off their 2022 album “Flamingo Overlord”) and form snaking conga lines. While not directly labeled pirate metal, Trollfest’s silly, interactive approach to folk metal wraps it into the genre’s aesthetic at large. Ensiferum is a thrashier, more classic sounding group that leaves the sea for the cold, piney north; Korpiklaani leans into its Scandinavian roots with a phenomenal rendition of “Ievan Polkka,” which you may know as a Miku Hatsune song instead of a Finnish folk tune.
Final mention: Ye Banished Privateers, who leave the hyper, DragonForce adjacent tone of Alestorm for more acoustic, ponderous pirate ballads. They also attempt historical homage, like in tracks “Blame the Brits” and “Welcome to Tortuga.”
So, pirate metal: formulaic fun, whose symbology and sameness feel like top 40 hits for the LARP/SCA crew.
Oh, and bring your kids to some pirate crafts at the library while you’re at it (Friday 9/19 @ 4pm, Bethany Library). And if you’re a cool parent, play some (appropriate) Privateers for them on the way there.
The Flamingos of Trollfest, photograph by Primal Opossum
Petri Lindroos of Ensiferum
Photo by Noah Helton
89thStreet
VENUES
8911NWesternAve(OKC) 89thstreetokc.com
BeerCityMusicHall 1141NW2nd(OKC) beercitymusichall.com
BlueDoor
2805NMcKinleyAve(OKC) bluedoorokc.com
BlueNote
2408NRobinsonAve(OKC) okcbluenote.com
Bookish
1005NW36thSt(OKC) thebookishshop.com
Criterion
500EastSheridanAve(OKC) criterionokc.com
Core4Brewing 7NLeeAve(OKC) core4brewing.com
DiamondBallroom
8001SEasternAve(OKC) diamondballroom.com
FactoryObscura 25NW9thSt(OKC) factoryobscura.com
GrandRoyale 1749NW16thSt (OKC) instagram.com/grandroyaleokc
JonesAssembly 901WSheridanAve(OKC) thejonesassembly.com
OKCider
705W.SheridanAve(OKC) okciderco.com
Opolis 113NCrawfordAve(Norman) opolis.org
PONYBOY 423NW23rdSt(OKC) ponyboyokc.com
ResonantHead
400SW25thSt,SuiteA(OKC) resonanthead.com
Resonator
325EMainSt(Norman) resonator.space
TheSanctuary 1012NIndianaAve(OKC) facebook.com/thesanctuaryok
51stStreetSpeakeasy 1114NW51stStreet(OKC) 51stspeakeasy.com
TowerTheatre
425NW23rdSt(OKC) towertheatreokc.com
TheVenue 1103NorthVilla(OKC) thevenueokc.com
ZooAmp 2101NE50thSt(OKC) okczooamp.com
JayWebb@89 St. th $$
OpenMicNight@Bookish $
RandallKingw/DavidLewis@DiamondBallroom $$
That1Guy@ResonantHead $$
LucyDacus,SlowPulp@Criterion $$$
AnthonyGreen,GeoffRickly,KurtTravis@BeerCityMusicHall $$$
ThePlotinYouw/Northlane,InventAnimate,andWindwaker@ DiamondBallroom $$$ HAUNTER,Ectospire,Magazu,Yew,GalcornDagger@The Sanctuary $
Skydxddy,DemitheDaredevil@89 St. th $$
Chevelle,AskingAlexandria,DeadPoetSociety@Criterion $$$ Slaughter@DiamondBallroom $$$
ToadtheWetSprocket@JonesAssembly $$$
ChanelBeads@ResonantHead $$
NoResolve,ShallowSide,AboveSnakes@89 St. th $$ BadSelfPortraits,DoubleViolets,ChinaBlue,SkyHemenway@ ResonantHead $
BenFolds,LindseyKraft@TowerTheatre SOLD OUT
FancyPants,Upturn@GrandRoyale $
GOON,Draag@89 St. th $$
AidanBissettw/ZachHood,LuluSimon@BeerCityMusicHall $$ LakeStreetDrive,TheDip@TheCriterion $$$
SethWalker@BlueDoor $$
NataliaJiménez@Criterion $$$
TraumaRay,Money,Powdr@ResonantHead $$ LeeAsher@TowerTheatre $$
AltFest Vibes to Check Out from the Library
Nonfiction - Creativity
“Imagination: A Manifesto” by Ruha Benjamin
“A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay“ by Octavia Butler
“The Joy of Junk” by Mary Randolph Carter
“Your Idea Starts Here: 77 Mind-Expanding Ways to Unleash Your Creativity” by Carolyn Eckert
“This Long Thread” by Jen Hewett
“Your Inner Critic Is a Big Jerk: And Other Truths about Being Creative” by Danielle Krysa
“Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It” by Adam Savage
“Make Trouble” by John Waters
Nonfiction - Music
“Your Song Changed My Life: From Jimmy Page to St. Vincent, Smokey Robinson to Hozier, Thirty-Five Beloved Artists on Their Journey and the Music That Inspired It” by Bob Boilen
“Roots Punk: A Visual and Oral History” David Ensminger
“Rock Concert: An Oral History of an American Rite of Passage” by Marc Myers
“She's a Badass: Women in Rock Shaping Feminism” by Katherine Yeske Taylor
Nonfiction - Making a Difference
“No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies: A Lyric Essay” by Julian Aguon
“How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community” by Mia Birdsong
“Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” by Tricia Hersey
“Funny Weather: Art in an Emergency” by Olivia Laing
“Acts of Resistance: The Power of Art to Create a Better World” by Amber Massie-Blomfield
“Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too” by Ijeoma Oluo
“Your Art Will Save Your Life“ by Beth Pickens
“Stitching Stolen Lives: Amplifying Voices, Empowering Youth & Building Empathy Through Quilts” by Sara Trail
“Crafting a Better World: Inspiration and DIY Projects for Craftivists” by Diana Weymar
For the Young and Young at Heart
“Fail-a-bration“ by Kristi & Brad Montague
“We Need Everyone” by Michael Redhead Champagne
“One of These Is Not Like the Others” by Barney Saltzberg
“That's Not My Name” by Anoosha Syed
“21 Things to Do With a Mud Pie“ by Jane Wilsher & Teo Georgiev
Different Perspectives
“Go Home!” edited by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
“Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck” by McKayla Coyle
“So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color” by Caro De Robertis
“The Burning House,” by Foster Huntington
“The Future Generation: The Zine-Book for Subculture Parents, Kids, Friends & Others” by China Martens
“What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry” by Stephanie Saldaña
“How to Be Old: Lessons in Living Boldly from the Accidental Icon” by Lyn Slater
“Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century” by Alice Wong
Poetry
“A History of Kindness” by Linda Hogan
“Flower Crowns and Fearsome Things” by Amanda Lovelace
“Cast Away: Poems for Our Time“ by Naomi Shihab Nye
there are plenty more goodies, let us know if you want the full list!
An Update That’s Music to Our Ears
The memory project that started it all, the Oklahoma Underground Music Archive, now has over 1200 items (and counting) uploaded and available for viewing/listening online: tinyurl.com/ok-uma/ Email Oklahoma.UMA@gmail.com or message the Metro Libraries’ Special Collections and Research Department via social media (@metrospecialcollections) with any questions, ideas, etc.
Zines No. 1: Sharks Taking a Bite Out of Reality (WanderListZines@gmail.com)
AMA, Roadies Edition
What are your favorite ways of creating or making?
“Depending on how my achey bones and brain feel, I like to cross-stitch, doodle, design, make playlists, obsess, edit, dabble, write, scheme, scribble and daydream.”Jackalope
“Right now, penpalling - underrated creative art of the 21 century. I use a lot of found items in my letters, like perfume sample cards, teabags, bookmarks and stickers. If you’re looking for a good book about the art of penpalling, try “Syme’s Letter Writer.” -la pêche punkette st
“I don't really have a set thing! I've loved photography and doodling since I was a kid. I'm a big crafter. I like fixing/upcycling things, and I love taking classes on things I haven't tried before. My new faves are weaving (especially on a floor loom!!) and stamp/print making :^)”
-Primal Opossum
“Well you see, I am a writer, and I like to write a lot, and what I do is I put my fingers on the keyboard, or I pick up a writing implement, and my li'l brain starts thinking up words. I just let it go, kind of a stream of consciousness thing, and I just let it do its thingummy and then I go back and read it (and shake my head a lot because boy howdy), and then I start the editing process. And THAT is also kind of embarrassing because that's when I start getting really picky and read and reread and order...and oops now I'm not being so creative. Also I like to take pictures, draw really doofy drawings, make up almost echolalia earwormy songs, and make funny (punny) videos...”
-Granny Anarchy
