The song I analyzed for my 19th post is the song “Drink” by Destroy Boys. Given just the name of the band, one can imagine there is a lot to unpack here in terms of the Sex Role Theory.
First of all, the songs lyrics of “Drink” give the viewer the idea that heteronormativity should not be expected. The lead singer, Alexia Roditis, uses the pronouns they/them and outwardly identifies as a lesbian on their social media. Knowing this about their identity is helpful when analyzing the lyrics.
“Heavens send someone down, I’m ’bout to turn this confession to a smoke cloud, who put me here? It’s hard to say. Nails bleed as I claw out of the grave. I want to play guitar but I reach for a glass, she says that I’m a star, that I won’t last.”
(Chorus): “She understands me like you did, she really loves me, I’m a saint living in sin. Oh she really loathes me, she really loves me.
Sometimes I see the sun rise, I try everything to calm my nervous mind, I don’t wanna let go control, don’t like feeling alone, at least I know what I’ve seen, these thorns run through my family, at least I know at least I know.”
(Chorus repeats)
Breaking down the lyrics, Alexia describes a relationship with another woman, while also describing a struggle with their mental health. This song is unlike many of the other songs that I have analyzed for this project in that it clearly describes a queer relationship. Between these lyrics that announce to the audience that the lead singer has been, and still wants to be in a relationship with a woman, as well as the name of the band the lead singer is in, it’s pretty clear that heteronormativity is pretty far from the identity of this band and their music.
Another thing about the lyrics is the context of them; they are pretty blunt and forceful lyrics. Alexia doesn’t sing of delicate, beautiful things; Alexia is singing about their individualistic identity as it relates to their romantic life and their “demons” of drinking to deal with their problems. Although any gender can fall prey to these mental issues, typically in the rock and alternative music industry, you hear a lot more men singing about women they like and their drinking issues. It is not as common to hear someone who identifies as female or who’s sex is female but their gender is differing to sing about this.
Alexia’s personal Instagram as well as the band’s official Instagram reveal more about the gender identity of the members. The three person band is composed of one male, and two women (again, Alexia goes by the pronouns they/them). Their outward style and expression has traits that are gender fluid, such as the women dressing in suits and the man dressing in a suit that has a peter-pan collar- a fashion trend that is targeted towards women and is generally regarded as feminine.
Alexia themselves tend to dress in clothing that is associated with femininity, like crop tops, short-shorts, lace, satin, and skirts. But Alexia tends to wear t-shirts and pants most often and casually. Their hair is worn in a longer/shoulder-length style but is kept more tussled and messy. Alexia doesn’t wear much makeup and overall tends to stick to a more androgynous-grunge style.
Overall, the band Destroy Boys defiantly uses their music platform to express their gender identity in not just their appearance, but in their music too.
Shared by: Em von der Ruhr
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/destroyboysband/