INTERVIEW WITH JAWLESS

Words on female representation in hardcore, Rebellion fest and ideal tour partners from Theresa Vendetta of Jawless :

What was rebellion fest like? I’ve always wanted to go but never made the trip be wicked to hear how it went

Rebellion was incredible. It was our second time playing there, and honestly, it’s one of those festivals I always dreamed of being part of. So many of the bands I grew up on.

We opened the Casbah Stage on the last day, which was such a massive honour. It might sound cliché, but getting to be part of something with so much history and energy meant everything to me.
The crowd was amazing, too. And I got engaged there! Hahaha I had so much fun! Hopefully we’ll be back again next year!

Just missed more Women headlining the festival.

Any influential women on your hc (career) or was the lack of early representation apparent ?

The lack of representation was absolutely apparent — especially where I’m from. For a long time, I just didn’t see any woman in the kind of music that I was listening.. so I started to feel like maybe there’s no space for me.
But then I discovered Candace Kucsulain from Walls of Jericho, and everything changed. I remember hearing her voice and just thinking: fucking finally.
She gave me so much inspiration, without even knowing it, to do the same. That moment stays with me to this day.

The sad part is that I am so sure they were other awesome female bands out there, but I never noticed them because they were not given the same attention as male ones.

What do you want to see out of ukhc in the coming years / weeks / months ?

I want to see more women. More immigrants. More trans and non-binary people. More people of colour. More shapes, more more diversity.I want a scene that feels truly open — not just “you can come watch,” but you CAN be on stage, you CAN headline, you CAN lead.

And I want less gatekeeping. Hardcore is supposed to be about community, not some tight little club of people who’ve been around the longest or know the right people. That elitist energy is toxic and tired. More LOVE and less ego. That’s what I want to see.

If you could tour with anyone who would it be , maybe give a realistic one and a wildly unrealistic one ?

Realistically? Walls of Jericho. 100%. They’re one of the biggest reasons I do this. It would be full circle in the best possible way — to share a stage with someone who helped shape who I am as a vocalist.Unrealistically… well, I want to say Turnstile, but let’s be honest, that could still happen. So let’s go big: Shakira. Imagine that show? Chaos. Hardcore punk and reggaeton pop Latino. Stage diving, mosh pits and twerking. I’m into it.

What can we all do to make sure that non male contributors to the scene are seen heard counted and included? 

Start by giving us real space — not just a token slot at the bottom of the lineup. We’re not here to tick your diversity box. We’re here because we work just as hard — often harder — and we’re fucking good at what we do. Put non-male bands in headline spots. Book diverse lineups on purpose, not as an afterthought. It’s not just about who’s on stage — it’s about who’s running sound, doing the artwork, promoting the shows. We’re everywhere. Start giving us credit. And honestly Listen. Actually listen to us.Do not speak for us, but let us talk for ourselves. We know what the fuck we doing. If you say the scene is for everyone, then prove it. Otherwise, you’re part of the problem.