It’s weird, but lately I’ve come across articles on Bikini Kill and Riot Grrrl stuff in the strangest places! As we have previously mentioned, Bikini Kill celebrated their 20th anniversary last November with their re-issue of their debut EP. I want the re-release, even though I already own the CD of their first two records, but I actually could not figure out how to order from their website (perhaps it’s sold out?).

FRONT MAGAZINE

Gives new meaning to “girls to the front!”

FRONT MAGAZINE #177 is a men/boy’s magazine about topless girls in trainers (sneakers). The magazine is like FHM (before they banned nipples), but not as “classy” as MAXIM. The magazine is more like Ralph (Australia) and Loaded (who is the primary rival in the UK). While most magazines have ceased printed editions, it seems that Front is going strong with its “lads’ mags” reputation.

Strangely, they published a full article on the Riot Grrrl bands in last month’s issue. The four-page article compiles the best-known Riot bands: Bikini Kill, Heavens to Betsy, Sleater-Kinney, Bratmobile, L7, Babes in Toyland, and, of course, Pussy Riot. Personally, I would have added Le Tigre to the mix, considering they added Heavens to Betsy and L7!

Read the article below

THE VERGE

Meanwhile, a technology news agency called The Verge recently published a Bikini Kill article called Bikini Kill is making things again (published February 1st).

The Verge started when editors at Engadget left because of upper management disputes from AOL. Now they are (bitter?) rivals, but between you and me, I still like Engadget because it’s easier to read “blog style”. Hey, I just want to load everything in one place without having to click on anything. That’s just how I like to read.

Anyway, the Bikini Kill article focused on riot grrrl revolution in the age of Spotify and iTunes, so there is a tech-angle to the whole thing.

The article is best summed up here:

Still, her [Kathleen Hanna] punk rock sensibility doesn’t allow her to write off the open internet: “In one way, I like the idea of everything free and streaming because it seems cooler and more punk rock” but the reality is that then people in bands have to have day jobs to survive, and that might mean they make fewer records or break up altogether.” She also says that she doesn’t know how we could “put the genie back into the bottle,” now that music is simply out there, free to consume.

THE GUARDIAN

This was published last month (January 2013), it’s an article from The Guardian reflecting on the riot grrrl movement in Britain. The article is taken from Melody Maker (remember that music weekly paper?)

You can read it here: There’s a riot grrrl going on

Remember, this was written in 1994, so a lot of reference is of its time (like Mecca Normal, k.d. lang, and Catcall).