Comments on: Marilyn Manson Does Not Count

Question: Marilyn Manson Does Not Count

DWRoelands — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:39:13 -0800

Help me find some kid-friendly female-vocals rock music for my aspiring riot grrl.

My four-year old daughter has been getting a big kick out of watching me play Guitar Hero 3. After a few sessions she asked, "Papa, why aren't there more girl rock singers?" I would very much like to gift her with a CD of music with "girl rock singers" that I could let her listen to in good conscience.

I would like to find music that's kid-friendly without being kiddie music. For example, the lyrics to Heart's "Barracuda" are opaque enough that I don't mind her listening. As much as I love Tori Amos, much of her music deals with themes that I feel are in appropriate.

I checked this thread and felt silly for not thinking of Shonen Knife myself.

It doesn't even necessarily have to be in English. She loves Superbus's "Radio Song" which is in French.

Thanks!

By: Sweetie Darling

Sweetie Darling — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:40:48 -0800

Pat Benatar!

By: Hugh2d2

Hugh2d2 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:44:05 -0800

Kay Hanley

By: lampoil

lampoil — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:52:39 -0800

Joan Jett's version of the Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme is definitely safe. And you cannot be without Joan Jett in this scenario. I Love Rock and Roll is also safe.

Tori's tough. I remember reading in her book that she didn't let her own daugher listen to most of it when she was your daughter's age. She said she liked Cornflake Girl, though.

By: gfrobe

gfrobe — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:54:07 -0800

My kid loves Hilary Duff and Hannah Montana. And of course High School Musical. All kid friendly.

By: kitty teeth

kitty teeth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:57:29 -0800

The Aislers Set
All Girl Summer Fun Band
B-52s
The Breeders
Camera Obscura
Cibo Matto (I'm thinking of their first album; I think your daughter would really love them, but I believe a couple of the songs have cussing, so be careful)
Cub
Deerhoof
The Detroit Cobras
DQE
Dressy Bessy
Electrelane
Gabby La La
Holly Golightly/Thee Headcoatees (some songs may be inappropriate)
The Gossip (again, some inappropriateness, but good stuff)
Heavenly
Helen Love
Helium (The Magic City would be great for her!)
Joan Jett
KaitO
Kahimi Karie
Kleenex (aka Liliput)
Lavender Diamond
Eleni Mandell
Mates of State
Mirah
The Primitives
The Raincoats
The Revillos
The Rondelles
Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her
Solex
Sons and Daughters
Stereo Total
Stereolab
Tiger Trap

By: kitty teeth

kitty teeth — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:58:41 -0800

Also, Maya Bond, who recorded her debut album at age four.

By: The Deej

The Deej — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:00:46 -0800

Evanescence (Amy Lee) Some songs are very inappropriate, but others are fine.

Sixpence None the Richer (Leah Nash) - Divine Discontent is very good, and mostly appropriate.

Ivy is good, especially Long Distance. Not rock rock but it is certainly catchy and fun. I especially like Worry About You

Cranberries is a good bet, especially Everybody Else is Doing It, So Why Can't We?

By: DWRoelands

DWRoelands — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:05:09 -0800

Wow, thank you all!

By: loiseau

loiseau — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:08:46 -0800

Laura Veirs
New Pornographers/Neko Case
Jale
Regina Spektor
Feist
Stars

By: burnmp3s

burnmp3s — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:11:20 -0800

kitty teeth's list is great. I especially recommend The Breeders.

Here are some more:

Cake Like
Dance Hall Crashers
The Dresden Dolls (sometimes inappropriate)
Luscious Jackson
Marine Research
Save Ferris
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

By: d13t_p3ps1

d13t_p3ps1 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:16:01 -0800

i nominate Alexz Johnson. Most of her songs were recorded for a tv show called Instant Star, so there is the forced appropriateness thing going on. Also she has an amazing, amazing voice and a decent backup band.
Eisley would be a safe choice, I think.
The Veronicas, possibly. I don't have much of their music, but what I do have seems kid-appropriate.

By: puritycontrol

puritycontrol — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:19:53 -0800

Some songs by Headlights
The Concretes
Taken by Trees
Au Revoir Simone
Christine Fellows

By: hal_c_on

hal_c_on — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:22:15 -0800

Save Ferris

By: history is a weapon

history is a weapon — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:26:10 -0800

Go look up all the kill rock stars heads, there's a bunch of bonafide riot grrrl stuff there that rocks out. Sleater Kinney and The Breeders (Last Splash is crazy good) both get crazy points for rocking out guitar hero style.

By: Savannah

Savannah — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:36:01 -0800

Melissa Etheridge
The Pretenders
Blondie?
Patti Smith? Not sure for a four-year-old, though.
Janis Joplin (I loved "Mercedes Benz" as a young 'un.)

By: rmd1023

rmd1023 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:46:37 -0800

Pizzicato Five? particularly something like "twiggy vs james bond", which is more awesomely poppy sounding than rocking, but still fun.

By: pedmands

pedmands — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:47:01 -0800

Yes, I second all of these, as well as recommend the one's not yet mentioned:

Feist
Neko Case
Rilo Kiley
The Bird & The Bee
Be Your Own Pet (they rock and are young, very young)
Cat Power
Deerhoof
Electrelane
Jesca Hoop (and on that note, perhaps Bjork)
Le Tigre
Marnie Stern
The Moldy Peaches
Natalie Merchant
some Pixies tracks
Regina Spektor
Siouxsie & The Banshees
Stereolab
Vashti Bunyan
Wanda Jackson
Yeah Yeah Yeahs (or The Ravonettes)

There ya go, there's a bunch of genres in there for the taking. You're bound to find a couple of tracks she likes in there.

By: PenDevil

PenDevil — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:47:57 -0800

Veruca Salt

By: PenDevil

PenDevil — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:48:51 -0800

And if you want it vaguely Christian themed: Flyleaf.

By: PenDevil

PenDevil — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:54:33 -0800

And also: Smoosh.

By: 6550

6550 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:57:26 -0800

I've lamented the lack of true female rockers before. And some of the suggestions, while they may have their merits, definitely aren't what I, at least, have in mind when I want to listen to rock (Dresden Dolls, Sixpence, or the truly baffling Hilary Duff and Hannah Montana recs).

But L.P. definitely rocks. Heart Shaped Scar is decent but her latest album, Suburban Sprawl & Alcohol, is really good and well worth picking up for anyone that likes rock. Unfortunately, I've never listened with suitability for children in mind so you definitely listen first; some songs are likely age-inappropriate.

By: damn dirty ape

damn dirty ape — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:59:23 -0800

She might get a kick out of Devo 2.0.

By: lou

lou — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:02:43 -0800

Vanilla Ninja!

By: lou

lou — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:03:19 -0800

Ooops, the second link was supposed to be this.

By: aielen

aielen — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:03:25 -0800

Stevie Nicks? The Cardigans?

By: dr. fresh

dr. fresh — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:04:50 -0800

When I read this question PuffyAmiYumi's "Love So Pure" jumped in my head and will probably not leave for the rest of the day. It's kinda rockin' and I know they had Jellyfish's Andy Stuermer working with them for awhile. That might stray too far into pop for some tastes, however.

I think Jill Cunniff from Luscious Jackson is involved with a more kid-friendly album, I recall hearing an interview with her in the last year. I don't recall how much it may or may not rock.

By: runincircles

runincircles — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:08:29 -0800

Janis Joplin - Summertime, Mercedes Benz

Blondie - Atomic, Denis, Heart of Glass, Sunday Girl, Tide is High

Joan Jett and the Black Hearts - New Orleans, Push and Stomp,

The Suzie Quattro covers of Heartbreak Hotel and All Shook Up!

Kenickie - Punka

Breeders - Cannonball

PJ Harvey - O Stella, Good Fortune

Pretenders - Cuban Slide, Dont get me wrong

Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle

Nina Simone - Got Life

By: Ikazuchi

Ikazuchi — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:10:08 -0800

A little more metal, so you'll probably need to look at it a little more but:
Doro
Lita Ford
Beautiful Sin
Aghora
Nightwish (Mixed vocals but their latest CD is really good)
Stream Of Passion (Can't recommend this band enough)
Elastica (80s Rock Goodness)

That's the closest I have to good-for-kids I've got.

By: COD

COD — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:15:52 -0800

The Kennedys - More folk rock than rock though. They are my daughter's favorite band.

By: drezdn

drezdn — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:15:53 -0800

The Free Design.

By: Dr-Baa

Dr-Baa — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:33:16 -0800

I really enjoy Mama Guitar. They are a female Japanese trio that plays 60's styled rock/R&B and are a lot of fun.

By: elendil71

elendil71 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:35:33 -0800

I'll throw in early Throwing Muses (Real Ramona for example)

and relatedly, perhaps some of Tanya Donelly's work in Belly (Star in particular) or her later solo work (Love Songs for Underdogs or Beautysleep).

Some songs not appropriate as usual.

By: cmiller

cmiller — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:37:56 -0800

Cruiserweight!

By: cmiller

cmiller — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:40:46 -0800

Pizzicato Five. ("Made in USA" is the best, says me.)

By: lohmannn

lohmannn — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:43:43 -0800

paramore

By: kendrak

kendrak — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 08:58:49 -0800

Other options:
Maow- Neko Case's cuddlecore band before she went Country.
Go Sailor- Featuring Rose from Tiger Trap and Amy from Henry's Dress. Really good!
The Riff Randells from Vancouver are really fun.
Nikki and the Corvettes are classic power-pop/pop-punk.
What the Kids Want and the Sissies are good, sloppy pop-punk from Bloomington.
Tilt from the East Bay.
And I'd be remiss if I skipped Judy and the Loadies who were great, but obscured by The Ne'er Do Wells/Hi-Fives.

By: hydrophonic

hydrophonic — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:03:52 -0800

The Collins Kids
The Go! Team
Selected songs by The Grates (check for cussing)
Mika Miko, maybe. Again, check the lyrics.

By: DrGirlfriend

DrGirlfriend — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:13:30 -0800

Since you mentioned they didn't have to be in English, I have some suggestions for Spanish-language singers/bands. They're not necessarily Barracuda-like, but if you want some variety in terms of genre/melody/style, these might work:

Julieta Venegas

La oreja de van Gogh

Bebe

By: BlzOfGlry

BlzOfGlry — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:27:26 -0800

Damone

By: electroboy

electroboy — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:31:21 -0800

Jenny Lewis & the Watson Twins

By: Mach5

Mach5 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:35:10 -0800

No Doubt! Gwen Stefani!

By: ajp

ajp — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:39:10 -0800

Bjork has been mentioned; you may, more specifically, want to check out her first (?) band, the Sugarcubes. The album "Life's Too Good" has some great rocky, screamy stuff. Her early solo album "Debut" is more straightforward than some of her later music. You may want to review these if you're worried about adult themes.

By: tugena13

tugena13 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:40:03 -0800

I'm coming into this thread late, so most of my favorites have already been mentioned. (For good measure, I'll second Puffy Ami Yumi, Go Sailor, Joan Jett, Cub, Shonen Knife, etc.) BUT! You've GOT to check out The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players. The drummer is a 14 year old girl!

Also, possibly the Apples in Stereo, Yo La Tengo, Talking Heads, the Velvet Underground, and the Magnetic Fields as [mostly] kid-appropriate bands with strong female musicians who don't always do the singing? Or how about ESG?

By: robocop is bleeding

robocop is bleeding — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:02:17 -0800

If you're coming off Guitar Hero/Rock Band, don't forget Freezepop. Their songs from GHII and Rock Band both mention beer ("keg of PBR" in Less Talk, More Rokk and being drunk in "Brainpower") but "Pop Music is Not a Crime" is pretty clean.

By: TheSecretDecoderRing

TheSecretDecoderRing — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:13:33 -0800

I wish it came to mind right away, but yeah, I'd say Blondie, above everything else (and be sure to tell her that that's the name of the band and not the singer). Maybe some Fleetwood Mac.

The Cardigans might appeal to her (First Band on the Moon was their big album), but the occasional lyric is non-kid-friendly. Ditto Rilo Kiley.

For some aggressive but still poppy punk rock, I like Tsunami Bomb, and their album, Ultimate Escape.

By: keith0718

keith0718 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:36:34 -0800

My girls are into Superchick (I ended up putting them onto my mp3 player myself). Although marketed as a Christian band, it's not religious music...more like scrappy, upbeat feminism. They blend punk, rock, pop, rap, and modern r&b. (Check out the song, "We Live".)

By: psylosyren

psylosyren — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:53:19 -0800

Thao and the Get Down Stay Down
Kate Voegele
Frente
Snoozer
Stephanie Dosen
Emaline Delapaix
Christabel and the Jons
Basia Bulat
CSS
Marissa Nadler
St. Vincent
One Star Story
Tiffany Christopher
April Inez
Kal Calhoone
Jillian Leigh
Nora & Gnoll

By: rhizome

rhizome — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:56:59 -0800

Wendy and Bonnie - Genesis

By: gauchodaspampas

gauchodaspampas — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:59:46 -0800

Kind of surprised nobody has mentioned The Donnas yet.
The Pipettes - indie pop inspired by 50s-60s girl bands
About half of the stuff by Os Mutantes

By: DWRoelands

DWRoelands — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:14:57 -0800

Good heavens, I'll be poring over these for weeks. As always, I am grateful. Thank you!

By: Myself

Myself — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:19:13 -0800

While mostly folky, Dar Williams has several songs with a rockier feel, and most of the lyrics are totally kid-appropriate.

By: blaneyphoto

blaneyphoto — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:28:07 -0800

http://www.myspace.com/carebearsonfire

http://www.myspace.com/straylightrun

http://www.myspace.com/jinxed

http://www.myspace.com/julietteandthelicks

http://www.myspace.com/alexbach

http://www.myspace.com/onetruething

By: InstantSanitizer

InstantSanitizer — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:30:17 -0800

Ladytron

Brazilian Girls (not all age appropriate, but Sabina has a great voice)

B52s

Aimee Mann

By: CharlieChu

CharlieChu — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:52:54 -0800

SLEATER-KINNEY!

One of my favorite bands, I'm still in mourning from them breaking up two years ago.

By: sid

sid — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:19:38 -0800

Half of the White Stripes is female and kids seem to really love their music.

By: elendil71

elendil71 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:24:32 -0800

Aimee Mann

Oh duh I forgot about her. Definately a second for everything she's done solo (Lost in Space perhaps?). And perhaps her second Til Tuesday release, Welcome Home.

By: davetill

davetill — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:29:48 -0800

Seconding Shonen Knife and Dressy Bessy.

By: HeroZero

HeroZero — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:35:39 -0800

Tangential: Have you heard about Girls Rock camp? There's a documentary coming out:

http://www.girlsrockmovie.com

The website has a trailer as well as a listing about the various Girls Rock camps throughout the U.S., though 4 might be a little young for it.

By: HeroZero

HeroZero — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:36:01 -0800

Ack, let me try that again:

http://www.girlsrockmovie.com/

By: SassHat

SassHat — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:52:16 -0800

Nthing most of the above. Also: Tuscadero, Gossip.

By: dizziest

dizziest — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:58:34 -0800

I came in here to mention the girls rock movie!

Also worth a try:

Soda Pop Rip Off
and the Spirit of '73 Rock for Choice benefit, which is all contemporary-ish female artists covering songs from the '70s.

By: divabat

divabat — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:58:42 -0800

Would anything by Garbage work?

By: evalenza

evalenza — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:43:19 -0800

The Rentals have some female vocals and I love rocking out to them with my elementary students. LCD Soundsystem is mainly a mix of male/female vocals, but has some great kid-friendly lyrics, too. Holly Golightly has many tracks that have inappropriate lyrics, but she's so great it's worth the listen to find the ones that would work for you.

By: HotPatatta

HotPatatta — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:34:20 -0800

The Four Nonblonds "What's goin' on"

By: TheSecretDecoderRing

TheSecretDecoderRing — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:44:29 -0800

Wait, how has no one mentioned the Go-Gos and the Bangles yet?

By: indienial

indienial — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:26:37 -0800

Get the Josie and The Pussycats movie soundtrack. It's actually pretty good (Bif Naked and a whole heap of awesome chicks worked on it), and totally family friendly.

By: softlord

softlord — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:01:41 -0800

I came in to second The Pretenders and add Concrete Blonde

By: healthytext

healthytext — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 06:42:08 -0800

Tokyo Jihen

By: ChrisNoXmas

ChrisNoXmas — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 12:07:44 -0800

Tegan And Sara!