She's a Badass

"""Filled with interviews from rocks' most-forward-thinking, inclusive doctrine-focused women"" -- ""Metro Daily News"" ""Each rocker gets her chapter in She's a Badass, and each story is starkly illuminating."" -- ""Popmatters"" ""Documents the gender-based challenges each woman has faced in their career, as well as their determination and perseverance. Their stories run the gamut from shocking to humorous to enlightening."" -- ""Billboard"" ""This book's fierce attitude and biographies that pitch towards the positive will have plenty of appeal for readers seeking some inspiration from women who've carved out a place in rock music."" -- ""Library Journal"" ""The first time I ever worked with a woman in the music industry was in 1990 when I collaborated with Anne Dudley on Songs from the Victorious City. Until that point in my career I had never really considered how profound the struggle was for a woman in a patriarchal industry (having been in an all-male environment since the inception of Killing Joke). From the metaphorical airbrushing and stereotyping to the brutal chauvinism encountered by so many women artists, She's a Badass documents the experiences of these influential and brave pioneers.""--Dr. Jaz Coleman, vocals/songwriter: Killing Joke, composer and producer --Jaz Coleman, vocals/songwriter: Killing Joke, composer and producer Badass and kick-ass, these music makers--icons and up 'n' comers, avant-garde genre-breakers and hitmakers--open up to author Katherine Yeske Taylor. In sharing their compelling stories and struggles and addressing sexism and feminism, the thru-line of integrity and a 'nevertheless she persisted' disposition shines brightly. --Katherine Turman, coauthor, Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Heavy Metal In She's a Badass, Kat Taylor gets twenty of the biggest female trailblazers in rock--from Suzi Quatro and Ann Wilson to Orianthi and Amanda Palmer--to spill their guts on what it's really like to have to fight for every scrap of respect as a woman in music, while dodging gropers and setting sexist managers, agents, band members, and labels straight. Nobody got these stories before--because nobody asked for them. Now Taylor has, and the result is a significant contribution to music journalism that is also a wildly entertaining read. --Debra Devi, rock musician and author of The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu My experience in this world as a woman has never let me down because of people like Katherine Taylor. The intelligence and bravery to write a book of this magnitude of women whose voices are loud and pure is empowering. --Diane Gentile, musician She's a Badass is a virtual handbook for women, especially those coming up in the music world. As the son of a strong mother and fierce female role model, and a teacher of countless female students, I believe that Katherine's book is a perfect blend of inspiration and motivation. --John Sparrow, drummer (Violent Femmes) and educator She's a Badass is the book we need. It is incisive and detailed while providing great access and context to some of the greatest rockers in history. It's a must-read for any aspiring journalist . . . and rocker out there. --Daniel Kohn, editorial director, SPIN She's a Badass recounts the sometimes harrowing tales of how icons such as Heart's Ann Wilson, The Runaways' Cherie Currie, and Indigo Girls' Amy Ray navigated uncharted waters for women in the industry while they made their music their own way. Although the artists who share their deeply personal stories with Katherine Yeske Taylor range from purveyors of alternative rock to punk-pop, their tales of struggle, perseverance, and triumph are universal. Their collective voices demand a reckoning for how females have been treated, acknowledge the personal growth sparked by their difficult journeys, and offer the refreshing perspective that declaring men the enemy isn't the solution to achieving equality. --Christa Titus, Billboard editor She's a Badass takes you on an insightful journey into the hearts and minds of these wonderful women and how powerful and important they are, and deep in the DNA of rock and roll. --Jesse Malin, musician By capturing the spirit and soul of six decades' worth of female rockers, Katherine Yeske Taylor demonstrates that she's as much of a badass as any of her subjects. This is a book that needed to be written, and she rose to the occasion like few others could. --Tom Beaujour, co-author of New York Times bestseller Nothin' but a Good Time I found myself fascinated by the stories and experiences shared in this book. Even the women I know surprised me. --Ani DiFranco, musician, poet, and activist I'm not any era. I broke barriers in the '60s and I still break barriers. She's a Badass celebrates women in rock and their influence on gender equality. It's a must-read. There is still a lot of work to be done. --Marianne Faithfull, musician and actress She's a Badass is a book about badass women written by a fellow badass woman. It's a riveting and inspiring read and I can't put it down. In fact, I typed this with just one pinky so I wouldn't lose my page. --Dave Hill, comedian, musician, and author These women's stories are thought-provoking and utterly fascinating - they are indeed badasses. --Legs McNeil, co-editor Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk"