Fellow members Billy Boredom (guitar) and Kathin (bass) joined Hanna to create a raucous noise reminiscent of the punky Slits, with radical lyrics hoping to empower young females by giving their side of the story in a male-dominated rock world.
In 1991, they recorded a demo tape, which was soon followed by a self-titled EP on the Kill Rock Stars label (produced by Fugazi's Ian Mackaye). The split LP with Huggy Bear released in 1993 was followed within a year by their full length debut 'Pussywhipped', featuring the single 'Rebel Girl', which was re-recorded for the album (the previously released a version had been produced by Joan Jett). Musicianship was considered less of an issue than having something to say, and both 70's punk and 80's hardcore featured strongly as influences.
Whilst continuing to tour, the band kept a low profile, releasing only singles until the 1996 release of 'Reject All American', which included slower songs suggesting a move away from the d.i.y. punk sound of their earlier releases.
Notoriety was gained when Kathleen was involved in a fracas involving Courtney Love offstage at a Nirvana concert, which inevitably caused a degree of in-fighting that saw Riot Grrrl as a genre explosion die down soon after.
The group split in February 1998, with a final release consisting of a compilation of all of their seven inches simply titled 'The Singles'.
Bikini Kill remain one of Riot Grrrl's most influential acts, with Kathleen Hanna moving on to further releases under the alias Julie Ruin, before forming the equally as radical, but more melodic (and current band) Le Tigre.
IF YOU LIKED THESE, YOU'LL LIKE BIKINI KILL: Huggy Bear, Le Tigre, The Slits, Sonic Youth, Nirvana, Hole, Patti Smith, Blonde Redhead, Babes In Toyland, The Breeders, The Pixies, Fugazi.