Once you start identifying with feminism, you start noticing sexism in everything, right?! It's mostly because things are still pretty much patriarchal. IMO,girl/boycotting anything with sexist language, connotation, reference, etc may not be the answer because it will leave you totally unable to engage in society.

As feminists we are taught to examine life through a critical eye. We then have a few options: 1. ignore the misogyny; 2. girl/boycott the product or 3. Experience and critique. My vote is for #3 since if we ignore either the misogyny or don't experience what we love we are missing out on the opportunity for education and change.

Doing #3 is called The Oppositional Gaze... bell hooks came up with is to encourage black women not to accept stereotypes in movies, but rather actively critique them. We can (and should!) apply this theory to whatever we notice injustice in.

I totally sympathize. I have the same problem with a lot of rock and hip hop that I like. However I find that once I start noticing the anti-feminist lyrics it becomes hard for me to really enjoy the song. Probably if you continue examining it you'll find your tastes changing and you can start looking for good music that doesn't make you feel like a hypocrite. Not easy though! I still totally love Ghostface Killah even though his lyrics make me cringe sometimes...

I find the best solution for things like this is not subtractive, but additive. So instead of worrying about what you have to stop listening to, think about what you can start listening to!

There are so many awesome women in music but the music press has yet to learn this. They only focus on Women In Music when they think they can sell them as a trend. So they pick out a few acceptable and usually safe women to let into whatever their current roster is, pick a few others to serve as scapegoats, and ignore the rest (the bulk!) of it.

Like today, the current roster includes people like Katy Perry and Amy Winehouse (and, of course, pop stars like Rihanna or whoever has been anointed this time); the scapegoats right now are anyone associated with Lilith Fair (which was fucking awesome and doesn't deserve to be pejorativified), and the ignored ones are... everyone else.

The indie press is no better, by the way. Same thing, different people. So you have to look for info. My two favorite sites to do this are KGRL (a Los Angeles radio station), Always On The Run (great for lyrics, and absolutely no popups) and the Ectophiles' Guide to Good Music (the best resource about women in music on the Web or ANYWHERE else.)

down load the music for free, that way you don't 'support' the musicians....

and never let anyone know...

I'm not sure how much The Misfits' lyrics match up with their actual beliefs. The persona of the band is a work of fiction second only to Spinal Tap.

Of course, even if it turns out that they're the most woman-friendly people to ever walk the Earth in real life, that doesn't necessarily forgive violent rape lyrics, does it?

I think it's funny you mention "One Last Caress", I've been having the same misgiving about that songs even though it's my favorite one by the Misfits. I don't have an answer for you, but since you seem to like punk rock to some extent I would recommend listening to some Riot Grrrl music like Bikini Kill, L7, or Le Tigre. They're alternative and punk musicians with a feminist, woman-friendly slant rather than your typical MANPOWER punk rock. The whole idea behind Riot Grrrl is "revolution now, girl style".

Hey wintermute, I realize that Misfits aren't the best example, I suppose I mentioned them because I have their discography on my IPOD so I've been listening to a lot of them lately, and One Last Caress is one of my favorites, if you like that song you should check out Metallica's version on the tribute album, it's pretty awesome. (you too triangulum)and triangulum, I do already know of bikini kill and le Tigre, and I am a big fan of Peaches. I just wish so many of the male bands I listen to weren't such pricks!(pun intended) I can't help but feel like listening to it (even downloaded) is somehow supporting what they are saying...THANX FOR YOUR OPINIONS!

I didn't mean to scream that last part...lol