Despite its fundamental association with the Counterculture Movement, rock 'n' roll has still been far too much of a dude's domain (paging Mott the Hoople). Rock criticism is similarly dominated by guys; Who can forget the revelation in 2007 that Pitchfork had more critics named Mark on staff than female critics? The deficiency makes the rise of Jessica Hopper in the face of declining print coverage all that more essential. The Chicago-based Hopper is a product of the fanzine culture who has written for just about every important publication, and thus, she is especially attuned for addressing the issues and contradictions of being a woman in the punk rock world.
Hopper's new book, The Girls' Guide to Rocking, is meant to bring D.I.Y.'s freedom expression to girls who might not know it exists otherwise. In fact, as the Daily Swarm's passage indicates, the book also includes useful guides for any band on how to get started. Hopper indicates that while performance spaces can be found anywhere, there are restrictions. For instance, performing in an abandoned warehouse isn't as cool as it seems, don't near the elderly, and make sure you are not breaking the law (no matter what Judas Priest tells you). Of course, the most important lesson of the book is "don't sell yourself short." It's a compelling read for all the Lisa Simpsons of the world.
