*Disclaimer, the song I analyzed for this post does have references to sexual assault. Proceed with caution.
For my 8th post, I listened to the song “No One Listened” by the Starbenders. Judging by the band’s Instagram, the members come across very androgynous, and in their bio, they describe themselves as “glitter punk rock and roll” Listening to the song for the first time, the lyrics immediately reminded me of the song HURT by VUKOVI that I listened to for one of my posts last week.
The song opens with the lyrics “Once upon a time, didn’t have my truth, cause nobody believes little girls with proof.” As soon as I heard these lyrics, it reminded me of how the lead singer of VUKOVI had sang about being heard after being assaulted. The chorus starts with: “if you’re pissed then sing it with me: we’re mad cause no one listened” further accentuating the opening lines that exploit how people don’t listen to women who have been assaulted, and even when they have proof, people turn a blind eye to it. Between the lyrics and the way they sing them, the band comes across very defensive, angry, and are clearly taking a stand. Nothing about they lyrics or the way the message is delivered is hesitant, gentle yielding, or sensitive. According to the Sex Role Theory, the song is performed in a very masculine way. In the second verse of the song the band sings: “Trust your instincts when you’re 16, I know you’re pissed so sing it with me: we’re mad cause no one listened.” The tune of the whole song is a melancholy rock and roll, and just before the last repeat of the main chorus the song changes key, grabbing the listeners attention further. I think this was an effective and powerful composition choice given the message of the song.
Looking at the official Starbenders Instagram, their look has been the most androgynous I have come across yet. They definitely have a punk rock look that is a head nod to the punk grunge aesthetic of the 90’s. They where lots of bright colors paired with lots of textured black such as leather, denim, fishnet, and metallics. Both the men and women in the group of four wear clothing that is associated as being for females and males. They all wear mesh and fishnet tops, button up shirts, t-shirts, or even no shirts at all and cover parts of their chests with body stickers, bralettes, or strappy leather harnesses. All members can be seen wearing eyeliner and glittery makeup, wearing their hair long and curly. Overall they come across very confident, and independent in showing off their strong personality. Some of the silhouettes are more feminine but are matched with more masculine traits (and vice versa). Overall, I think this look is very forward in addressing a more androgynous look, and highly challenges what we associate as “feminine” and “masculine” appearance.
Shared by: Em von der Ruhr
Image Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CR9hBV_rq3z/