Who Rocks?

The Girls Do!

Jennifer Scott

Who rocks who? The girls do of course! This page will let you know who's who in the book of rock. A really good label to check out if you're into raw girl punk rock would be the kill rock stars label--home of the original riot grrls themselves, Bikini Kill. Sleater Kinney is graced by the label (or now the situtation would be Bikini Kill graces the label). Among the best of the best in my book of rock girls are Sleater Kinney, Free Kitten, Cat Power (a.k.a Chan Marshall), Barbara Manning, and Bikini Kill. All these bands sum up the indie rock girl sound that is vital in my life.

BIKINI KILL

Bikini Kill was considered THE riot grrl band of the 90's. Formed in 1990 with founding member Kathleen Hanna (voice, guitar), joined by Tobi Vail (drums), Billy Karren (guitar), and Kathi Wilcox (bass) they created a radical feminist sound that influenced many bands today (like Sleater Kinney). Bikini Kill was started up because Kathleen Hanna believed that indie rock was just as sexist as mainstream rock. They expressed many beliefs through their music; for example, at shows it would be requested and enforced that men were to make way for women at the front of Bikini Kill's stage. Bikini Kill's sound was like the 70's punk sound (very much like The Slits). Bad girl Joan Jett even recorded, then joined them for the song "Rebel Girl". The band joined the kill rock stars sound in the early 1990s.

Unfortunately, Bikini has now broken up and is no longer. They are all moving on. You can check out Julie Ruin to get new Kathleen Hanna material.

SLEATER KINNEY

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Sleater Kinney was one band to follow the Bikini Kill sound. The band formed in 1994 in Olympia, Washington. The original members were Carrie Brownstein (vocals and guitar), Corin Tucker (vocals and guitar), and Lora Mc Farlane (drums and one vocal track). Lora has now left Sleater Kinney and Quasi member Janet Weiss (drums) has taken over in her place. Sleater Kinney has rocket-launched into the punk rock grrl scene and there has been intense focus on them. They have released 4 albums since 1994: A self-titled album in 1994, Call the Doctor in 1995, Dig Me Out (joined by the kill rock star army) in 1996, and Hot Rock which was just released in Febuary (also on kill rock stars).

OTHER BANDS TO CHECK OUT

Barbara working If you're looking for other riot grrls, it is always easy to find them through the kill rock stars label. It's chock-filled with those girls. Some of my other favorites are Free Kitten (Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Juila Catfirtz of Pussy Galore), Barbara Manning (on Matador Records, one of my favorite performers of all time!), and Cat Power (a.k.a Chan Marshall on Matador records).

The kill rock stars label website: You can check out music from these bands, get info, and buy! buy! buy!
The Matador records web site: You can go and hear some beautiful music by Barbara Manning, Chan Marshall (a.k.a Cat Power), and other great artists.

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