Hands Off Gretel's Lauren Tate Wrote An Open Letter To The Men Who Come To Her Shows

If you listen to UK punks Hands Off Gretel, you know that they don’t take anyone’s shit. Not only are they a part of the Riot Grrrl movement, but their songs showcase a vivid and emotional portrayal of the experience of being a woman. So, when lead vocalist/guitarist Lauren Tate and bassist Becky Baldwin are disrespected at their own shows by predatory men, they are going to speak up.

Lauren addressed these types of situations in a recent Facebook post:

“Dear guys that come to my shows. Please stop kissing my cheek. Please stop sexualising myself and my bass player. Please let girls stand at the front more. Please be more aware that I really don't want to be touched or told I am sexy. I am a MUSICIAN and I get messages and comments all day from men about myself and my female bass player being sexy or eye candy or some bullshit and it honestly kills my soul and makes my eyes roll into the dirt. I've seen 'band' posters cropped with just myself and Becky in them used to promote shows! Can you imagine how it feels to be the guys? It's shite! SOOOO...

To all the guys that respect personal space, genuinely love my band for my music and let young girls stand up at the front I really really thank you. You have no idea how much it means to myself and many female musicians when we are valued for our skills and seen as equal to the guys in bands on the same bill. Please note that a lot of girls stand politely and smile when they're skin is crawling in so many situations it's mental.

We just want to be valued and respected. AND WE REALLY REALLY NEVER EVER EVER EVER WANT TO BE KISSED or touched all over believe me! ... In this photo here I'm locking eyes with the girls I requested come forward in the crowd. I'm holding the guitar that I wrote every song on for the new album, the guitar a guy told me after the show to 'put down and stop playing'!!! See... us women are fierce. I've heard so many girls in other bands talking about these issues with men at shows and how we tackle them. It's starts with the good guys. Look out for the girls in the crowd. If you see someone being a dick or a general creep... Call them out. Make them aware. We need more amazing guys like you in the world to stop these shitty men ruining it all for everyone. Massive respect to all those guys that do this... gigs should be for everyone to be themselves and have fun. I shouldn't be worrying about anything while I'm up there on the mic playing my music for my fans #handsoffgretel #discuss #talk #girlband#girlstothefront #feminism #equality #respect#laurentate #femalemusician #rant”

Good thing is, if this frustrates you, the best way to alleviate your anger is to blast some of Hands Off Gretel’s feminist jams:

Read this next:

• Girls to the front: 25 years of Bikini Kill, Riot grrrl and the enduring legacy of Kathleen Hanna
• L7: “We’re just nutty enough to keep going”
• Venom Prison’s Larissa Stupar: “It’s no secret that many women have been forced into surrogacy”