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'Voice, guitar, thighslaps, keys and knobs' of Kenickie, Sunderland's fem-filled finest.
Has lad culture had its day?
"No more than Girl Power has had its day. The lads have had a head start on girls in the music industry, with bands like The Who. But the Motown girls went to charm school and were made very sweet. Behind the scenes they had a good time too."
What elements of lad culture do you object to?
"Sexism of any kind. Other than that I don't have a problem with it. I like Oasis me. They're top."
Do you belive in the laddess?
"I feel I'm a girl, not a laddess. Its like saying to a cat, are you a lionick?No, I'm a cat. I enjoy being a girl. It's pathetic trying to be something your not, emulating a group you can never be part of biologicaly."
What do you feel about the word feminist?
"It's a very positive word imbued with a lot of positive history. The basic idea of feminisim is equality to men, and PJ Harvey saying, 'I'm not a feminist,' is like saying, 'I'm not equal to men'."
Girl Power?
"I think its Pepsi, Walkers crisps, Spice Girl T-shirts and sexy high kicks. That's it."
Do you feel pornography has become strangely acceptable via magazines like Loaded and FHM?
"Being a Catholic, I'm all for porn. No, not really. I don't think objectification of women is a good thing- that stupid one off Neighbours on all fours having water thrown over her in Loaded. That seemed manipulative. But if an intelligent girl like Zoe Ball chooses to do a photo shoot in a cool way, that's OK. She looked sexy in Sky, but not specifically for men to wank over."
How has laddism affected music?
"It's a fashion thing, a group of bands. Most of bands perceived as laddish are Northern. They're leery, but not particularly sexist. Cast have girlfriends who drink them under the table, it's just that Northern girls don't form bands."
Any female role models?
"I wasn't much influenced by girls. I identified with boys: The Who, Iggy Pop. I wanted to be Jimmy off Quadrophenia, not Lesley Ash."
Is the future female?
"No, the future's deformed. Like monkeys in electronic helmets typing out words of Shakespeare. The future is simian."
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