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Otep Shamaya Talks About Being Out in Metal

Since 2000, Otep Shamaya has been using her status as the out frontwoman of a popular metal band – aptly named OTEP – to stand up for the things she believes in. Songs like “Menocide” drew attention to the lyrical stand-outs that the band’s music has, but also created controversy as the song’s lyrics were feminist and called out the oppression women deal with (i.e. “Girls in the playroom, house-wives, servants in the workplace, slaves to lies.”)

She’s a master at getting attention and for all the right things. Last week, the California-based quartet released their fourth full-length album, Smash the Control Machine, on indie label Victory Records. The label has been home to several rising emo/punk/hardcore bands over the past decade, but OTEP is an anomaly, as it’s one of the only bands with a female member to join the roster.

“I’ve never made a career decision based on my gender,” Otep told us about signing to Victory. “It plays no role in my decision making. I chose Victory because they are an incredible group of passionate people who love music and actively support the delicate mechanisms that reward and seduce audiences. “

“Seduce” is a great word for what Otep and her bandmates do to an audience.

A blonde knock-out with a Joan Jett-esque growl made for rock, her stage presence as a frontwoman is just as futile to the band’s popularity as the lyrics she sings. Although she doesn’t think about being female when it comes to making plans for her band, it certainly reaches an audience of women who are looking for representation in the metal music scene. “I have seen many more women at our shows,” Otep said of the band’s fan base. “I also get quite a bit more messages from gay and lesbian folks thanking me for the courage to be out. It’s an honor to be the beacon for those that are still searching for their way.”

As an out lesbian, Otep has become active with the Harvey Milk High School, acting as the spokeswoman for the Hetrick Martin Institute.

There’s also a song on the new album, “Rise Rebel Resist,” which she was inspired to write about “the hateful opposition to marriage equality.”

“There have been many who helped me so it’s the least I can do – pay it forward,” Otep said of trying to reach the LGBT community. “But I hope our music appeals to all people and promotes an atmosphere of exclusive inclusivity. Once the walls are bashed away, we can see just how similar we actually are.” Having been out since before she was in the public eye, Otep said she has never had an issue with labels or management trying to hide her sexuality.

“If anyone ever had a problem with who I am, they kept it far, far away from my awareness,” the singer said.

She has, however, encountered homophobia and misogyny throughout her career, saying, “It’s the easiest path of thinking for the more simpler, single-celled sapiens in our society. Attack the gender, attack the sexual orientation. But for the most part, our audiences are amazingly progressive thinkers. “

Otep said the metal community is aware of the things the band “lives by and stands for.”

“Some bands just use politics and activism and strong songs to sell albums but don’t believe or practice what they preach,” Otep said. “We do and I think we are respected for that.”

Otep said that she thinks gay men have more difficulty in the scene.

“It’s still a strange hypocrisy that exists among the aggro-masses,” she said. “I suppose, on some base level it makes sense: Our species is driven by sex, lesbians are stereotypically thought of as ‘sexy,’ so they are ‘tolerated’ and even encouraged. Especially the hetero-flexible segment. The ‘gay for a days’ trick out the lifestyle, reinforce the stereotype. I guess it’s like going to Disneyland for them – a holiday from their inhibitions and bigotry.”

Not only does Otep challenge stereotypes about lesbians, her success in such a male-dominated music genre is an inspiration to women of all sexual orientations.

You don’t have to be a metal fan to appreciate that.

OTEP is currently on tour. Find out what dates they will be coming to your city this fall at MySpace.com/otep, and read our 2005 interview with Otep Shemaya.

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