10 and 1 - Women Who Rock (Australian Edition)

Chrissy Amphlett

Women Who Rock (Australian Edition)

A lady who knows how to rock is a pretty swell kinda lady in my book. I know 'swell' isn't the most rock-savvy term to use, but gosh-darn it, I'm saying it's swell. Australia saw a steady increase in the numbers of female rockers flying our flag in the 90s, with many emerging amongst the post-grunge music landscape in the middle of the decade. There might not have been dozens (or even a dozen) gaining notoriety, but it was still a huge increase from the miniscule sisterhood rockin' the stage in the 70s and 80s. In today's 10 and 1, I salute ten Aussie women who can rock a stage with the best of them. Secretly, I'm doing this because if just one young girl reads this and finds herself inspired to pick up a guitar instead of enrolling in Havana Brown and Ricki-Lee's 'Dance School 4 Ho's,' the world will be a better place. And isn't that why we bloggers blog in the first place? To make the world a better place? Haha... no. No it's not. Ten of the greatest Australian female rockers of all-time and one lady from down under who's only association with 'rock' is via The Grateful Dead t-shirt she wears, thinking it's that super popular television show everyone's talking about. Enjoy!

THE TEN:

Juanita Stein

of Howling Bells

Katy Steele

of Little Birdy

Song of the Day - Easy

Screaming Bikini - Easy

Album: Screaming Bikini (2011)

If you watch the TV and live in the Australia, you've probably seen an advertisement for some random band with some random guy holding a big red heart as a slow, pop-rock song plays in the background. It's likely that this ad annoys you. You're probably going to be even more annoyed when you discover that the singer is none other than former Superjesus rocker, Sarah McLeod. Yep. What.The? Sarah. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. From the awesomeness that was the Superjesus, to your underappreciated solo effort, to your attempts at becoming an electro-diva... to this. Where's that signature growl? Where's the attitude? What's with ripping off any pop-rock 90's Australian number? Have you been hanging out with Bachelor Girl? Where is Bachelor Girl? So many questions.

Rating: 2/5

Song of the Day - All But Gone



Sarah McLeod, version 2.0.



Sarah McLeod - All But Gone

Album: Beauty Was A Tiger (2005)

Dear Sarah McLeod,

As the frontwoman for the criminally underrated Australian band, The Superjesus, you were one of our greatest rock exports. Lately it seems you've ventured into the electronic realm as you enjoy solo success on the club charts. While I wish you nothing but the best in your endeavours, please find some time to return to the genre that you excel in... rock and or roll. As I've written here before, you are the quintessential Australian woman of rock and you're sorely missed.

 Yours Sincerely,

It's My Kind of Scene



Countdown: Women Who Rock - #12, Sarah McLeod

#12 - Sarah McLeod

of The Superjesus

The Superjesus may be long dead and their lead singer may have moved into the club scene but in the 90s and early 2000s Sarah McLeod was the first lady of Australian rock. She had the look, the attitude and the perfect rock voice, like an angel that smoked a pack of cigarettes a day.

A lot of people would say McLeod is a poor choice for the list. The Superjesus released three albums, two of which were minor successes and had no massively popular singles. Her own solo album, 2005s Beauty Was a Tiger, didn't exactly light up the charts either. But it doesn't change the fact that Sarah McLeod was a true rocker, right up to the point that 'He Doesn't Love You' was remixed and went to #1 on the club charts. She was the inspiration behind many Aussie girls picking up a guitar.

If you ever get a chance, track down and listen to Beauty Was a Tiger. Go back and listen to The Superjesus' Sumo and Jet Age. If you're really up for it, look on iTunes for acoustic releases that Sarah has. Hopefully you won't be disappointed.

Key Tracks: 'Down Again' and 'Now and Then' (Sumo), 'Secret Agent Man,' 'Enough to Know,' 'Gravity' and 'Second Sun' (Jet Age), 'He Doesn't Love You' and 'All But Gone' (Beauty Was a Tiger).