#Adamgate - Should age and gender be a deciding factor in band applications?

Some of you may seen a screen shot of a band's reply to a applicant recently on Facebook doing the rounds, originally posted by Lauren Hutchinson, owner of The Rock Fairy blog. For those who aren't familiar with her work, Lauren is a music writer and a DJ for TBFM. Recently, Lauren, applied to sing for a band via Gumtree that's going for the stoner vibe with their music.

Her email to the band and the main contact: Adam, reads as follows:

Hi Adam. I’ve seen your ad on Gumtree and I’d be interested in auditioning for your band. I know you said you were looking for up to age 28 but cards on the table, I’m 30. That being said, I’ve only just turned 30 so not too far off! I can’t see any links to your material so I’d love to hear it to see if it fits in with what I’m looking for rather than waste your time. If you want any links to my material then I’m more than happy to send these over too. Look forward to hearing from you. Lauren.

 And here's the email that Lauren got in return:

The reply is nothing more than blunt, rude and narrow-minded. I understand why some musicians/bands would want people within their age range but to send a reply like that is taking the absolute piss. Lauren hasn't named the band in question, which is completely understandable and the rest of the band shouldn't suffer because of Adam.

I'm not quite sure why 30 is too old - I mean look at AC/DC and Iron Maiden - All their members are knocking on in the years but they still rock pretty damn hard. Looking at female musicians, there's Doro Pesch (ex-Warlock), Liv Kristine (Leaves' Eyes) and of course Girlschool who all also rock damn hard and are no doubt at least 30 years of age or older and plenty more examples that I could list but I'd be here all day, otherwise.

So, with those musicians in mind, age shouldn't be a factor? Nor should gender, right? Well, according to Adam they are factors, though I'm not sure what evidence he has for this. I know a number of unsigned bands with female members over the age of 30, so I'm guessing that this Adam fellow doesn't get out of the house much. His ideals are very archaic and it's attitudes ;like that that contribute to the idea of female musicians being inferior to their male counterparts.

Unfortunately, this is an attitude that can be found within several areas of the music industry but it is an attitude that is dying out as there are more progressive thinkers in this day and age, compared to say 40 years ago when female musicians in rock and metal were virtually unheard of.

The thing I find most disgusting is that Adam didn't bother to request any examples of Lauren's talent.

Personally I commend Lauren on her bravery for posting the screen shot of the email and for starting the debate that's been spreading like wildfire on Facebook and hopefully this hasn't put Lauren off joining or forming an original band.

What do you think of this? Let me know down below in the comments.