Subjects of Sexism

Comment by Sara Neidorf on March 31, 2009 at 11:07pm

As a drummer who plays primarily rock and metal music, I experience a lot of discrimination and prejudice. People simply expect me to suck, and when I don't they're shocked. I wish my gender wouldn't affect the way people judge my musicianship.

Comment by Sarah Needham on June 3, 2009 at 6:15pm

Sara I play metal myself and I get a lot of negative attitude, but people are often amazed when they see me play because I kick most of the boys asses! I love being a drummer though, it's awesome!

Comment by Naomi Plasse on February 3, 2010 at 10:36pm

I play drums and it seems that when I get on that throne people are like WHAT ??? also I am a tiny woman and they have a hard time to see me behind so that doesnt help my cause. The sexism I feel strongest is when I go to a drum shop. You have a hard time getting attention from a seller. When you tell them what you want and they realize your buying they literally stare blankly. Another funny story..being in a drum shop with 2 other girl drummers and hearing the other drummers in the store they worked at start to talk about girls in a demeaning way and then hearing one of them say "Oh shit guy we have ladies in the store"..Yeah funny yet sad.

Comment by Kimberly Stratton on March 1, 2010 at 10:04pm

I got lucky with the man that sold me my set. He' seemed down to earth and accepting but I've had a lot of other salesman not even bother asking me if i needed help

Comment by Maureen Brown Gratton on September 27, 2010 at 6:17pm

Does this happen to anyone else? I'm playing with someone else's band, (not one of my own) and you hear some guy in the audience, say to the bandleader (if off stage) or another audience member..."Hey, where's ya get that female drummer...she is fantastic!" Next thing you know, you never get hired by that bandleader again. I cringe everytime I hear someone comment on me, rather than the bandleader....I lose more gigs that way. And it's not because I'm showboating or upstaging anyone. When I play with others I usually scale down my dress to fit into the band's vibe. It's still so unusual for people to see a woman drummer (I can't believe it...still). Is it just me...or does anyone else experience anything like this?

Also, has anyone else ever had to dress up as a man, while drumming??

Comment by Maureen Brown Gratton on October 1, 2010 at 12:20pm

Guess you guys don't chat much??

Comment by Sara Neidorf on October 1, 2010 at 3:30pm

Hey Maureen. Thanks for your input. That situation with the ignorant bandleader sounds pretty awful. I'm fascinated by your experience with dress. I can see that we play in very different musical situations/scenes, so I've never had an occasion to dress down or cross dress (of course, the two are drastically different...) Have you ever had to cross-dress while drumming?

Comment by Maureen Brown Gratton on October 1, 2010 at 6:14pm

Hello Sara and thanks for your message and friendship. I used to (years ago) work for a bandleader who refused to introduce me to the audience by my real name, insisting on calling me "Suzie Q" on drumsl After I repeatedly asked him to use my name and he refused, I started dressing up as a man, which was even stranger cause then he DID introduce me by my name...which looked even weirder.....

Comment by Tess Graham on October 5, 2010 at 6:03pm

In reply to the oldest comment dated March 31/09: I experience this everytime I play. I find that people lower their expectations of me as a drummer simply based on my sex. This is completely unfair. At first I thought this may apply to all musicians but when talking to my bandmates none of them seem to experience this when they guitar/bass and sing. Although it feels good to prove everyone wrong when they assume I will suck... it would be nice if they would just be open minded when I start rather then assuming a "girl can't play drums".

Comment by vic hoover on October 15, 2010 at 6:52am

I've been gigging for 6 years with over 200 gigs, I have never once had any bad comments! Just play well and hard and leave them blokes gob smacked! :)

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