Bikini Kill

Pioneers of the 90s radical feminist musical movement named Riot Grrrl, USA's Bikini Kill were widely perceived to be the transatlantic cousins of UK band Huggy Bear - an impression confirmed when they joined that band for a 1993 shared album that was one of the movement's most celebrated documents. Hailing from Olympia, Washington, and featuring the haranguing voice of Kathleen Hanna alongside Billy Karren (guitar), Tobi Vail (drums) and Kathi Wilcox (bass), Bikini Kill believed that indie rock was just as sexist as mainstream rock. Their tactics in attempting to create a new artistic platform included asking men to make way for women at the front of their concerts. Musically they resembled some of the late 70s punk pioneers, particularly the Slits. The Huggy Bear collaboration was followed later in the same year by Pussy Whipped. This included direct takes on sexual politics that spared no blushes. "Rebel Girl", the band's anthem, which had previously been recorded twice, once in single form with Joan Jett as producer, made a third appearance. The band recorded one further album before disbanding in 1998. Hanna went on to record as Julie Ruin and then with Le Tigre. While the initial spark of Riot Grrrl has died down, Bikini Kill remains its most vibrant legacy.