Concert: Guano Apes / Muffathalle / 8th May

http://www.guanoapes.org/english/index.html

OK, so I know who Sigur Ros and Sisters of Mercy are but who are the rest of these guys? What kind of music? Am I hopelessly out of touch or what? I used to pride myself on knowing every halfarsed obscure band of the times.

I thought the link I gave would be enough for those who didn't already know the band, but clearly I was wrong...

Guano Apes are a german band. They did "Lords Of The Boards", "Big In Japan", and more recently a cover of "Kumba Ya" with Micheal Mittermaier (I think it was for charity).

they also sing in english, their front-person is androgynous. at least the first time i heard her/it sing, i wasn't sure if it was a boy or what. and they're song "rain" is a nice, hard-edged ballot.
still i hate the shit-monkeys 'cause why can't a woman stay feminine and still rock (i.e. shirley manson of garbage, gwen stefani of no doubt)

Patti Smith defines my "woman who rocks" image. When i had a stint in public radio, she came in with band for a live performance. I've never seen a band bring down ceiling tiles cause the sound was so loud before...that rocked.

Nah. Suzi Quattro.
/me dribbles on keyboard

Thems mighty strong words thur. You hate them because their singer is not feminine enough?

From the photos on the website, she looks pretty feminine to me. Not greatly blessed in the mammary stakes but.

sure, hate is strong, right on ruggedy, but still don't like them, because yeah it seems she has to look like, dress like, act like and sing like a man to get ahead in the rock world.

That's a bit silly saying that "it seems she has to look like, dress like, act like and sing like a man to get ahead in the rock world". Do you honestly think any success that the Guano Apes have had is down to their lead singer portraying herself as a man. Anyway, I don't think she looks like a bloke at all. Granted she's not the most beautiful creature on this earth, but I think they are selling themselves on their music rather than on the appearance of the band members. Which considering all the b*ll*cks in the charts at the moment is pretty refreshing.

What about Placebo? Your description of the lead singer in this band brought the lead singer from Placebo to mind immediately.

As opposed to being a blond, buxom bimbo who can be judged on her own merits?

shit-monkey's are popular because of their music key, correct. but her image isn't appealing to me. i grew up in a world where women are only successfuly, yes, if they're blond bimbos or unfortunately write sappy, soft music (aka singer-songwriters). i want a woman i can relate to when i'm rocking out. this band just just ain't it. i suppose she's just being who she can be. it's just appealing to me at all.

Actually, the lead singer has dyed her hair blonde recently...