Charlotte Gainsbourg
Daughter of Serge and Jane Birkin. Actress and model also. Collaborated with Jarvis Cocker, Air and Neil Hannon on her 2006 album 5.5. Not rock music per se but, certainly, she rocks.

Sleater-Kinney
The most enduring band from the Olympia, Washington scene, Sleater-Kinney recorded seven critically-acclaimed records before taking an indefinite hiatus last June.

Hopefully they'll be back and better than ever.

Patti Smith Singer, songwriter, poet, feminist, political activist.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of our times. Debut album Horses (1975) is a necessary component of any respectable record collection.

Kim Deal Bassist with The Pixies (it doesn't get much cooler than this, truly) and left to form the Breeders after falling out with Frank Black.

Back in the Pixies fold once again and also writing new Breeders material.

Peaches
No, not Geldof, but the Berlinbased Canadian and one of the most controversial figures in music. Her stage show at the Hard Working Class Heroes festival in Dublin last year involved her straddling a giant penis.

Amy Winehouse (right) The voice of an old-school jazz chanteuse combined with the tattoos of a sailor and the drinking capacity of Shane McGowan. Mrs Blake Fielder-Civil as of one month now.

Courtney Love If not the original, certainly the best-known member of the riot grrrl movement.

Courtney's career kicked off with Hole who made one of the best rock albums of the '90s . . . Live Through This. Her new album Nobody's Daughter is due out in autumn.

Kim Gordon The Sonic Youth bassist is 54 years old and showing no sign of letting up. Still churning out the tunes and giving her all on stage.

Well-respected artist and curator.

Juliette Lewis No longer seen as a vanity project, Juliette and the Licks have gone the distance with Lewis being marked out as one of the most entertaining front women in the business, with more brawn and grit than most of her male counterparts.

Lovefoxxx The hottest thing out of Brazil since Ronaldinho, CSS . . . who seem to be taking up residency in Ireland . . . are fronted by the spandex-clad sweet mentalist Lovefoxxx, who seems to have an endless store of energy and exuberance.

Cat Power American singer/songwriter whose real name is Chan Marshall. Famously 'difficult' and now said to be a lot calmer having given up booze. Adored by Karl Lagerfeld. Spokesperson for a Chanel jewellery line.

Chicks On Speed An ever-changing group of electroclash musicians and artists from the US, Australia, Germany and Israel brought together through the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. They tackle everything from art installations to club nights to music to running their own record label. True girl power.

Tahita Bulmer The crown in the new-rave scene, New Young Pony Club bring a fashion and style to the indie party. At the helm is the intimidating and fantastically talented Tahita who, along with her two female bandmates (Sarah Jones and Lou Hayter) and two boys, have made the soundtrack of the summer with their debut record Fantastic Playroom.