MEN is a brooklynite band of two women and just one man. They create lofi, dance music complimented by sassy lyrics with political inflexions. What initially started as a remix project by Le Tigre members Johanna Fateman and JD Samson has now grown into so much more. On stage the feminist electro-punk band consists of Michael O’Neill, JD Samson and Ginger Brooks Takahashi who perceive their live show as a performance, in which music, costume and multimedia work together to create an unbridled zeal fuelled spectacle. However, off stage Men consists of a whole collective of artists; many of whom you may recognise, and as a group these individuals create music about the world they live in. Whether it is about political issues, test tube babies, their own sexual preferences or simply a menial task like paying the rent, they certainly have a lot to say. Men is not about women posing as men, instead it’s a personal comment on society cleverly matched with music that makes you want to listen. Fortunately for us coercion need not be part of the process.
// Is Men feminist?
Ginger: Even just using the name Men it challenges ideas about gender and who gets to call themselves Men and what it means for us three to call ourselves ‘Men’ on stage.
JD: Everyone has a different definition of what feminism is but I think that we are for equality of all people and to us that’s what feminism really means. That’s definitely something that we as a band want to continue to support.
// How far are you into the recording of the debut?
Michael: I think we are about 70% done. That’s the number we’re using now. As soon as we get back to the US we’re gonna hit the studio and try and finish.
//Have you got a title yet?
JD: We have a couple of things bouncing around but it’s going to have to be a surprise.
//It could be Boys to Men?
(Everyone laughs).
JD: Some things like that have been mentioned.
Full interview up soon!
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