Bikini Kill – “Video Documentary”
Bikini Kill was a (mostly) all grrl punk band from Olympia, Washington (Hole has a song called “Olympia”), that existed for most of the nineties, headed by the well-known and respected, Kathleen Hanna.
This band, along with a lot of other female bands from this time, and a lot from that area, formed the influential riot grrl music style.
And because at that time, I was mostly only hearing what they played on the radio, I was only hearing all the grunge bands- you know, the boys bands! And believe it or not, I only heard Bikini Kill for the first time, a couple of years ago, thanks to youtube.
Looking back at grunge, I still have an appreciation of Nirvana and very, little else. (Tad, a still obscure band from there, was also a favorite).
And though, maybe I had a hint of this as “Live Through This” happens to be my favorite album from that time (say what you will about Courtney Love’s personal life but that album, lyrically and musically, kicks all the boy’s asses mightily).
But discovering bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile, Babes In Toyland etc.- I see these bands as real punk bands, bands that not only had the influence of the original punk bands but played their own music in the original spirit. While, I feel, the grunge bands we’re getting more of their influence from hard rock and metal bands.
I think this is another example of women not getting their due in music. While all the boys from Seattle were getting all their acclaim, in my opinion the girls were creating something more vital, more real and more punk.
But this video/docu is about Bikini Kill. And let me say, not only do I think they were the best riot grrl band but I think they were one of the best bands of all time.
My favorite album by them is “Pussy Whipped.” When I listen to it I imagine some wild jam with X-Ray Spec, The Pixies, Lydia Lunch and The Jerks and The Cramps.
With a bludgeoning bass lick and drums smashing windshields, guitars malfunctioning with feedback and vocals erupting into your face- this is hardcore all the big ball boys only wish they could conceive.
This song reminds me of Bad Movies meaning- this is pure, uncut punk that gets you high as a motherfuckin’ kite without the false allure of drugs but the true passion and excitement of words and songs and screams and emotions. And rips a scar into your soul that might never heal.
It starts out like an overblown Link Wray cover and then it makes its way to four-alarm fire drills with blood curdling screams. Here rock’n’roll collides with experimental noise, like lots of Bikini Kill, and everyone goes home with a prize.
This starts with all abrasiveness and aggression and noise and what sounds like some death metal vocals floating in for a second or two, or someone getting sick. This is just another example of a wild, passionate, creative tune from this band.
Starting with a mild-mannered but sinister bass line while all participants fall in line like this is gonna be a lackadaisical indi number. But just like Iggy & The Stooges “Death Trip” where the intensity of the vocal increases to absurd proportions until what you have is a hysterical, psychotic person out of control. But what you also have is right and true and perfect. One of my favorite songs of all time.
One of their most popular songs though I like it I think there are quite few better ones on Pussy Whipped. Still any song that reminds me of “Sister Ray” by The Velvet Underground must be a pretty amazing song.
“No more candy for you,” but she only teases. This is still in your face passionate punk pulverizing your soul. That stabs at your heart and then smashes your mind and demolishes all preconceived notions of sound and life.
This song starts off sounding like “Raw Power” and then settles into a speed/garage/punk riff designed to rip off the top of your head while sending electrifying shivers up your spine with the vocals scraping the lining of your soul.
The vocals show the influence of Poly Styrene (X-Ray Spec), and a lot of the guitar licks and drum beats are surf/garage/rock’n’roll. And the emotional extremism of Frank Black from The Pixies or maybe, Iggy Pop all topped off with Sonic Youth and no wave and dissonance, I’d say constitutes their style.
But I can name these influences and confidently state- I don’t know anything else, before or after, that sounds quite like this or sounds quite this good.
Though I totally agree with the feminist politics surrounding this band and the riot grrl movement, I want to make it clear that my judgment is strictly on a musical level.
And though, in one way, the reason I support women in music is because it’s the right thing to do, I also feel what they have to offer is frequently superior to what the boys have.
And I think Bikini Kill took the influence of punk and hardcore and made it their own, made their own style and fully succeeded in doing so.
I don’t know where punk would be without Patti Smith, without Poly Styrene, without The Runaways and Joan Jett. Without The Avengers or Bush Tetras. Or with the many local women in bands producing such great stuff today.
Kathleen Hanna now works at a school as a music teacher, providing inspiration for young, female musicians. I guess, in a way, it’s a job she’s always done.
(Slimedog)
