One of my friends was commenting about a female rock band we saw awhile ago and noted that "if each member of the band weighed 300 pounds no one would give a shit." That really sparked my interest. Since female bands are judged by their looks more so to than males to a ridiculous extent, this was a good way for me to test a band's appeal. So would people care as much?

Sleater-Kinney: Yes

Vivian Girls: No

L7: Yes

T.A.T.U: No

Kathleen Hanna: Yes

Karen O.: No

One caveat: it's not unreasonable to say that a female musician's looks are a part of her act, or that should or should not help her. It's just a good way of weeding out the attractiveness factor from a band's musical vitality.