The well-known and often well-disliked “Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock” edition (formerly “Hottest Chicks in Metal”) of the equally well-known and equally often well-disliked magazine Revolver has spawned it’s own annual tour of the same title. Featuring bands whose female members (nearly always the vocalist) may or may not have been featured in the issue at some point, the tour is usually headlined by one or two established acts, with supporting bands that are less popular or successful by comparison. Over the years, the bands have gotten progressively less heavy (hence the name change from “Hottest Chicks in Metal” to “…Hard Rock”).
That trend continues – for the most part – this year, as the 2015 edition of the tour will be headlined by Texas post-grunge/alt-hard rock band Flyleaf. On select dates (though which are unspecified) direct support will be provided by Montreal, Quebec’s The Agonist (whose latest album and first with vocalist Vicky Psarakis, Eye Of Providence, dropped today). This may prove a challenge, as the band is also booked on select dates of Allegaeon’s “Get Rekt” Tour around the same time. Rounding out the bill are three pop-punk/rock bands: Jacksonville, Florida’s Fit For Rivals, Diamante from Boston, and Vancouver’s Falling For Scarlet. Some of this year’s “hottest chicks” chimed in on their thoughts on the upcoming tour:
Kristen May, Flyleaf: “I’m honored to be headlining the Revolver tour! Revolver has been a big supporter of rock music and I’m stoked to be a part of a tour celebrating female musicians.”
Vicky Psarakis, The Agonist: “We’re so excited to finally announce this Awesome U.S. tour! A huge thank you to Revolver for having us be a part of this great lineup. Come out and headbang with us, U.S.A.!”
Diamante: “I’m so honored and excited to be part of this tour! Can wait to hit the road with these amazingly talented chicks!”
It’s most interesting to hear Vicky Psarakis’ statements, considering The Agonist’s first video from their latest release made fun of the injection of fashion in metal music. Media money-grabs like this issue and corresponding tour from Revolver can understandably be seen as sexist, shifting focus away from the actual music. It also glamorizes the idea of women that play or enjoy metal or hard rock as a novelty which, despite some people’s surprised reactions, it no longer seems to be. Still, bands are booked on tour together for some common theme all the time. So if female-fronted hard rock is your thing, then check out the routing of the 2015 “Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock” tour below. But it’s probably safe to say that The Agonist is the heaviest band on the bill, and the idea of what Flyleaf fans’ reactions to them would be is kind of enticing…
Wed. 4/8 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
Thurs. 4/9 – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
Fri. 4/10 – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard
Sat. 4/11 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
Tue. 4/14 – Nashville, TN @ Exit / In
Wed. 4/15 – Colombia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
Fri. 4/17 – Jacksonville, FL @ Freebird Live
Sun. 4/19 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Tue. 4/21 – Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall
Wed. 4/22 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
Thurs. 4/23 – St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
Sun. 4/26 – Pensacola, FL @ Vinyl Music Hall
Tue. 4/28 – Little Rock, AR @ Revolution Room
Wed. 4/29 – Monroe, LA @ Live Oaks
Fri. 5/1 – Shreveport, LA @ Riverside Warehouse
Sun. 5/3 – San Antonio, TX @ Kapone’s
