Jessica Hopper's Girls' Guide to Rocking Gets Infomercials, Tour

Published at 10:36 AM on June 10, 2009

By Ani Vrabel

All parents know the standard warning lectures they must give their pre-teens: Stay away from sex, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, violence and anything that'll rot your teeth. But we here at Paste would like to suggest that one more conversation be added to that list: When it comes to mass-produced teeny-boppers, just say "no."

Lucky for us, we have a new ally in the fight. Feminist, journalist and rock aficionado Jessica Hopper has written The Girls' Guide to Rocking, a guide for teenage girls who aren't interested in Miley & Co. Hopper hits on everything from how to come up with a non-cliche band name to where to buy good equipment, how to sound-proof a practice space and understand the necessary legalese in the business.

Online infomercials (like the one below) feature artists such as Flosstradamus and Kevin Drew from Broken Social Scene. In addition, mash-up extraordinaire Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk), the legendary Joan Jett and the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls are all endorsing the book. But if you're still not convinced it's the real deal, you can check out Hopper on her upcoming book tour:

July
13 - Portland, Ore. @ Powells on Hawthorne
14 - Seattle, Wash. @ Power Chord Academy
14 - Seattle, Wash. @ The Vera Project
15 - Santa Monica, Calif. @ Public Library w/ Mika Miko
15 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Skylight Books
16 - Minneapolis, Minn. @ Magers & Quinn w/ Laurie Lindeen
20 - Philadelphia, Penn. @ TBA
21 - New York City, N.Y. @ Barnes & Noble 396 Ave of the Americas at 8th St.
22 - New York City, N.Y. @ TBA
23 - Providence, R.I. @ AS220

Watch Jessica Hopper and Kate Rose talk about The Girls' Guide to Rocking: