Mark of Cain’s Josie Scott Comes Out as Trans Woman
- Josie Scott, the vocalist and guitarist for the influential Australian alternative rock band Mark of Cain, has come out as a trans woman.
- Scott explained in her post that she has struggled with her gender identity since the age of eight, initially assuming she would simply “live my life, complain a...
- “As I’ve aged, and mortality is ever closer, I’ve decided to embrace, rather than endure, who I am,” Scott wrote.
Josie Scott, the vocalist and guitarist for the influential Australian alternative rock band Mark of Cain, has come out as a trans woman. The announcement, made via a social media post on Monday, January 2, , marks a significant moment of personal liberation for the artist after a lifetime of grappling with gender dysphoria.
Scott explained in her post that she has struggled with her gender identity since the age of eight, initially assuming she would simply “live my life, complain a lot,” and subtly express her feelings through her songwriting. However, a bout of COVID-19 in prompted a period of deep reflection, leading her to the realization that she would regret not living authentically.
“As I’ve aged, and mortality is ever closer, I’ve decided to embrace, rather than endure, who I am,” Scott wrote. She noted that witnessing the increasing acceptance and visibility of transgender individuals, particularly younger generations, inspired her to find the courage to live openly as herself. “Seeing so many young people now able to embrace who they are and live authentically without as much bullshit as existed when I was young helped shine a light on the possibility that maybe I can finally be me in my autumn years.”
Scott, who identifies as Josie, or Jo to friends and family, clarified that she fits within the paradigm of being a trans woman. She acknowledged that the process of coming out has been both liberating and challenging, but emphasized that “the happiness I feel outweighs any obstacles I’ve faced so far.”
Formed in Adelaide, South Australia, in the mid-1980s, Mark of Cain rose to prominence during the alternative rock boom of the 1990s. The band built a dedicated following through extensive touring, appearances at key festivals, consistent airplay on Triple J, and regular television performances on programs like Recovery, Channel V, and Rage.
The band’s trajectory took a notable turn when producer Henry Rollins, of Black Flag fame, helmed their third album, Ill At Ease, released in . Rollins had previously shared a stage with Mark of Cain three years prior. The band continued to experiment with their sound, releasing Rock ’n Roll in the following years, a collection of remixes featuring contributions from artists like Paul Mac and Biftek.
Recently, Ill At Ease experienced a resurgence in popularity, re-entering the ARIA Albums Chart at No. 40 in November following the release of a deluxe edition. This chart position surpassed the album’s original peak of No. 73.
Despite “unforeseen circumstances” that led to the cancellation of their scheduled appearance at the Froth & Fury Festival on January 31, , Mark of Cain remains active, both in the studio and on the road. The band expressed hope to resume touring later in .
Addressing the future of Mark of Cain, Scott stated unequivocally that her announcement would have “absolutely nothing” impact on the band’s creative direction or output. “We’ll continue to write, record and perform hard heavy music and I may look a little more androgynous but everything else remains the same.”
Mark of Cain’s music remains available on streaming platforms, including Spotify, where listeners can explore their discography.