Bikini Kill

Genre: Punk Rock, Riot grrrl, Indie Rock

Bikini Kill was a United States punk band formed in Olympia, Washington in October 1990.The group consisted of vocalist Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy, drummer Tobi Vail and bassist Kathi Wilcox. The group is widely considered to be the pioneer of the “Riot Grrrl”movement, and was notorious for its radical feminist lyrics and fiery performances.

The band was formed by Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail. They began working together on a fanzine called "Bikini Kill" and, with the addition of former-Go Team guitarist Billy Karren, formed a band of the same name. The band wrote songs together as a group and encouraged a female-centric environment at their shows, urging women to come to the front of the stage and handing out lyric sheets to them.Their music was characteristically abrasive and hardcore-influenced.

While occasionally collaborating (politically and creatively) with high-profile acts such as Nirvana and Joan Jett, Bikini Kill was well-known for shunning major labels and the mainstream rock press. After two full-length albums, several EPs and two compilations, the group disbanded in 1998.