Tobi Vail’s Words On Bikini Kill

The following articles comes from my Riot Grrrl Online website.

Tobi Vail’s Words On Bikini Kill

BIKINI KILL IS A BAND MADE UP OF FOUR INDIVIDUALS, Kathi, Tobi, Billy, and Kathleen…
We have been written about a lot by big magazines who have never talked to us or seen our shows. They write about us authoritively, as if they understand us better than we understand our own ideas, tactics and significance. They largely miss the point of everything about us because they have no idea what our context is/has been. Their idea of punk rock is not based on anything they have ever experienced directly or even sought an understanding of by talking to those who have, yet they continue to write about it as if their stereotypical suraface level view of it is all there is. A lot of times we have been asked why we don’t do interviews very often if we are so concerned with being misrepresented. To us this seems obvious… it is mostly based on our experiences. As a rule we don’t do interviews with mainstream newspapers or magazines. In the few cases where we did do them we feel like we were totally fucked over by the way our words were framed to back up ideas that weren’t our own. Quotes were taken out of context, we were made to look like we were dissing other women in bands when that wasn’t our intention and in the worst case scenerious our confidence was totally violated by having stuff we told the individual writers NOT to focus on exploitatively (abuse histories, where we work/have worked, etc.) turned into the main focus of the article. We have constantly told writers to leave out personal information about us (our last names, who we go out with/used to date) out of articles and they always are sure to include it if we tell them not to. We always try to include perspectives of different band members but often times the writer only puts in quotes by Kathleen, our singer. When she has done interviews by herself as an indivudual it is often seen as an interview with the whole band even tho she continually says she is only speaking as an individual member of Bikini Kill whose opinions do not necessarily refelct those of the whole band. When we have granted these sources interviews it made us look like everything they said about us was done with our co-operation. The times when we have asked to see articles or edit them before they come out it has never really worked out. One time in particular we were told by N.M.E. in the U.K. that we could write our own articles and they would not in anyway comment on it or edit it. When the articles came out Kathi’s was not included, but was rather taken out of context and cited to back up their ideas about us in the introduction they wrote to my article (something that to our understanding they weren’t going to do). They laid it out in a way that included catty remarks bigger than our own words and put in a bunch of dumb pictures that we didn’t send them. This was the last time we ever tried to co-operate with a big magazine but they have continued to write stuff about us. This is really frustrating but what is even more frustrating is when people who should know better, other punks for instance, believe these takes on who we are as being based on reality rather than on conjecture and in most cases on ill intentions of the writer/magazine. (when you refuse to grant interviews people get really insulted and make a point of going out of their way to use their influences to elaborately dis you–usually this is to the point of spreading deliberate lies or saying really naive sexist things in an effort to provoke a response from you) I want to make it cleat that we do not give a shit what people think of us, that is not what we object to in all of this, it is not about us being pissed off because of a bad review… it is about feeling like no matter what we say or do there continues to be this media created idea of ‘Bikini Kill/Riot Girl’ that has little or nothing to do with our own ideas and efforts… we want to be an underground band, we don’t want to be featured in Newsweek magazine… maybe this sounds like a weak complaint to some of you who have worked really hard to get people to hear about your band, projects, record label, ideas, etc. and would appreciate any kind of publicity… we recognize that different strategies are totally valid for different situations… we are not trying to set any kind of ‘correct’ standard, we are just trying to present our views on what our experiences with the media has been in order to start to comment on how it has affected us as a band… we stopped doing interviews altogther for while mainly because we felt that we didn’t need any mroe publicity but also because these experiences led us to not feeling like talking about our ideas atall… sometimes not even to each other, but fuck that you know and right now we are making Nu fanzine(s) about this whole weird machine media spectaclization process we have been going thru and so you should look forward to that …
IN THE MEANTIME WE ASK YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT US AND THINK ABOUT HOW YOU GOT THAT INFORMATION, CUZ IN MOST CASES IT PROBABLY ISN’T TOO ACCURATE…
SEND US PICTURES, VIDEO TAPES, AUDIO TAPES OF OUR SHOWS, INTERVIEWS, RADIO SHOWS AND COPIES OF OR XEROXES OF MAGAZINE ARTICLES CUZ WE WANNA DOCUMENT THE SOUND OF THE SPECTACLE AND OFTEN TIMES DON’T GET SENT COPIES OF STUFF.
Oh yeah and please address all correspondence to Bikini Kill c/o kill rock stars (120 N.E. State Ave. #418/Olympia, WA 98501).
One huge misconception for instance that has been repeated over and over again in magazines we have never spoken to and also by those who beleive these sources without checking things out themselves is that Bikini Kill is the definitive ‘riot girl band’… We are not in any way “leaders of” or authorities on the ‘Riot Girl’ movement. In fact, as individuals, we have each had different experiences with, feelings on, opinions of and varying degrees of involvement with ‘Riot Girl’ and tho we totally respect those who still feel that the label is important and maningful to them, we have never used that term to describe ourselves AS A BAND. As, individuals we respect and utilize and subscribe to a variety of different aesthetics, strategies and beliefs, both political and punk-wise, some of which are probably considered ‘riot girl’ . . .
You can get back issues of Bikini Kill fanzines (issues #1 and #2) from riot girl press for $2 each. They are a girl run girl fanzine distribution network, write to them and send them $1 for their catalog which contains brief descriptions of stuff available thru them as well as info on how to get involved in what they’re doing. Please note that these fanzines are way outdated–both were made in 1991 and also that although both have contributions by other band members most of the stuff in them was written by our singer, Kathleen, this is not to say they aren’t informative but rather to make an effort to posit them more exactly with regards to the factors of history and subjectivity . . . R.G.P. P.O. Box 73308/Washington, D.C.20009

44 Writings I Need For This Blog

I am in need of some articles and writings for this blog. I will add to this list as I see fit. The ones listed below are ideas for articles and writings and are some writings/articles I need for the blog. By writing the article (or articles), You will be emailed an invite to join this blog and will be able to post up your writing on the blog. Be sure to let others know that you wrote the article (or articles).

ARTICLES AND WRITINGS NEEDED:

1-History of riot grrrl: how, why, where, when, and who started it. (about the music and the movement)
2-History of feminism: how, why, where, when, and who started it.
3-The 3 waves of feminism.
4-The many different types of feminism such as: anarcha-feminism, individual feminism, radical feminism, and all the others.
5-Write about your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website or write a review of your favorite feminism/riot grrrl website. (can be blogs, websites, forums, etc.)
6-Write your own definition of what feminism means to you.
7-What does riot grrrl mean to you? (Write as much or as little as you want.) Describe riot grrrl in your own words.
8-Write about being a riot grrrl in another country. What’s the riot grrrl scene like where you live? Is there a chapter where you live? Any riot grrrl bands where you live? How did you get into riot grrrl? How long have you been into riot grrrl?
9-Write about how you got into riot grrrl. What, how, when, who, and where made you get into riot grrrl?
10-Write about being a riot boy: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
11-Write your own riot boy manifesto. (I already have a version on my website.)
12-Write about being a male feminist: how, when, who, what, and where did you get into riot grrrl?
13-Write some feminism questions that you would like answered or start a feminism FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
14-Write some riot grrrl/boy questions that you would like answered or start a riot grrrl FAQ (frequently asked questions) of your own and the answers to them.
15-Write about women’s issues important to you.
16-Write about feminism and what it means to you.
17-Write how you got into feminism and why.
18-Make a list of reasons on why your a feminist. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
19-Make a list of reasons on why your a riot grrrl. Try to think of 50 or more reasons, if you can. 10-20 reasons will do too.
20-Write some DIY tips or share yours. Share your own DIY stuff.
21-Write something about being an activist/ or about activism.
22-Write something about zines or your life as a zinester.
23-Write about your ladyfest or a ladyfest you attended.
24-Write about a riot grrrl chapter or your own riot grrrl chapter.
25-Write about being pro-choice, why your pro-choice, or what it means to you.
26-Write something about how riot grrrl and queercore music are connected.
27-Write something about how riot grrrl and grunge music are connected.
28-Write something about how riot grrrl and punk music are connected.
29-Write something about feminism in other countries. What’s feminism like in your country or other countries?
30-Write something about human rights in your country or another country.
31-Write something about equal rights.
32-Write about why is feminism important today.
33-Write your own definition of what a riot boy is to you. Give your own definition of riot boy.
34-Write your own Zine DIY guide.
35-Write how to start a riot grrrl chapter DIY guide.
36-Write your own list of ways to be an activist.
37-Write a review of a zine or your favorite zine.
38-Write about your experience with the Riot Grrrl Online website.
39-Write about the Riot Grrrl Online website or do a review of the website. If you write about the website, write how you found the website, how you got active in the website and why. I’m sure there are more things you can write about the website, as long as your a reader or fan of the website, your input is appreciated.
40-A review of your riot grrrl or feminist website.
41-Write a news story. Write about an issue or topic important to you or an issue/topic you think would be important to others that is happening in the news.
42-Write your own women’s issue story. If you are a survivor (of anything from rape to cancer, etc.), I’d like to hear your story and what you went through.
43-Write how to start a ladyfest.
44-Write how to start your own record label and/or band.

If your interested in writing one of these articles, Feel free to read the “contribute” page and reply to the “contribute” page or email me. If you comment on the “contribute” page or email me, Please specify which article (or articles) you want to write about by letting me know which number or numbers (# or #’s) your interested in writing. If you have your own ideas for writings or whatever, feel free to email me some of yours.

*This is also posted on the “Ideas” page.

Riot Acts: Punk Girl Groups Are Putting the Self Back in Self-Esteem

This is an OLD article from the New York Times about the riot grrrl movement.

Japenga, Ann. The New York Times
15 November 1992: Section 2, Page 30.

Riot Acts

Punk’s Girl Groups Are Putting the Self Back in Self-Esteem

The singer Kathleen Hanna sashayed onto the stage to distribute lyric sheets before a recent Seattle appearance of her band, Bikini Kill. The men in the crowd surged forward, extending their arms to receive the word from this new punk Madonna, with her flailing magenta ponytail and seductive stage manner. But she slapped the men back. “Girls only,” she scolded, putting copies of the lyrics in each upraised female hand. Ms. Hanna’s action set the tone for the performance: the band was delivering its wisdom to women, and men had better behave themselves if they wanted to hang around.

Bikini Kill is part of a growing cadre of so-called girl bands that are claiming a place in punk rock. And the rise of groups like Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy, Mecca Normal and Bikini Kill has inspired a larger movement of feminists in their teens and early 20′s who call themselves Riot Grrrls. That’s girl with an angry “grrrrowl.”

Riot Grrrls is a grass-roots movement that began in the summer of 1991 around Olympia, the sedate state capital 65 miles south of Seattle, in the same thriving music environment that has spawned other Northwest bands like Nirvana and Mudhoney. The term Riot Grrrls was coined by a small group of female musicians in an attempt to define a more confident, less passive attitude about being a young woman. And though no one knows how widespread the scene has become, concerts here at college auditoriums, church halls and even art galleries are packed with Riot Grrrls, and pockets of sympathizers have sprung up around the country.

To call herself a Riot Grrrl, a woman need only rally to the slogan “Revolution Girl Style Now” and appreciate bands like Bikini Kill and Bratmobile, whose aggressive, unpolished sound has much in common with the early punk rockers Patti Smith, the Raincoats and Poly Styrene of the X-Ray Spex.

Indeed, the movement is above all a triumph of punk, a genre not normally noted for its enlightened attitude toward women. Riot Grrrls say they owe their existence to punk’s do-it-yourself ethic: if you have something to say, pick up a guitar, write a song and say it. “There’s no way any of this could have happened if it wasn’t for punk rock,” says Molly Neuman, Bratmobile’s 21-year-old drummer.

The Riot Grrrl credo is that young women should take care of one another. “This world doesn’t teach us how to be truly cool to each other, and so we have to teach each other,” says a Bikini Kill manifesto circulated in one of the movement’s scores of small newsletters. Riot Grrrls literature and lyrics speak out against the competition and jealousy that they feel society encourages among young women; the Riot Grrrls want to replace those attitudes with loyalty and support.

One of the central tenets is that talking about personal abuses and travails can make women stronger. Accordingly, Riot Grrrl bands address firsthand experiences of rape, incest, insecurity and the struggle of young women to define themselves within a patriarchy. “Don’t need you to tell me I’m cool/ Don’t need you to tell me I’m pretty,” Ms. Hanna shouts in a tune called “Male Approval, NOT.”

Riot Grrrls have a distinct look, combining traditional fashions like round-collared, cinched-waist dresses and incandescent red lipstick with harder touches: heavy black high-top boots and hacked-off punk hair. Also popular is a deliberately nerdy or dowdy appearance, a challenge to the cultural expectation that women should strive to be pretty. Some Riot Grrrls use felt pens to draw block letters on their arms and stomachs spelling out the words “rape,” “incest” and “shame,” another means of focusing discussion on painful personal issues.

Older feminists are heartened by the movement and see the Riot Grrrls as their descendants. “These are the individualistic daughters of the Reagan-Bush years,” says Michelle Fine, a professor of psychology at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York who works with teen-age girls. “It’s very hard for this generation of young women to imagine organizing. In their lifetimes, they haven’t seen collective struggle that has been successful.”

In fact, Riot Grrrl bands, nearly all white and middle class, seem more interested in networking with like-minded women than in courting mainstream recognition. Ms. Neuman wants to get the word out, but many young women who follow the scene will not talk to reporters. One explained her refusal by saying that the movement “is just something that’s been really important to me, and I’m afraid of it being exploited.”

It may be no surprise that these young feminists are trying to maintain a low profile. Society has traditionally been intolerant of young women who do not conform, suggests Lyn Mikel Brown, co-author with Carol Gilligan of “Meeting at the Crossroads: Women’s Psychology and Girls’ Development.” “To be openly resistant is to invite trouble. These are the girls who get sent to therapy or get kicked out of school.”

Ms. Brown is one of several researchers whose studies show that girls suffer a plunge in self-esteem as they approach adulthood, with its still-rigid cultural expectations of femininity. By rewriting the word girl, Riot Grrrls are a rare example of young women banding together to reverse that trend.

From its inception in Olympia, the Riot Grrrl phenomenon has spread to cities like Toronto, Washington, San Francisco and Columbus, Ohio — as young women with little or no musical training formed what some of them call “angry girl bands.”

Bratmobile and Bikini Kill were among the first Riot Grrrl bands. Ms. Neuman was studying women’s issues at the University of Oregon in Eugene when she and Allison Wolfe, started Bratmobile and the newsletter Girl Germs. (“Spread as many girls germs as you can,” one issue admonished.) About the same time, Ms. Hanna and Tobi Vail were putting together Bikini Kill, in Olympia.

Adhering to punk’s do-it-yourself ethic, they started recording cassettes in home studios or releasing 45′s on small labels. The band members also began corresponding with other groups in Oregon and Washington, and out of that the Riot Grrrls movement grew.

“We were all talking about similar things,” recalls Ms. Neuman. “We were frustrated with the world and with sexism, and even with the sexism we saw in alternative culture. It was an exciting time for me, feeling like I wasn’t crazy and there were people who felt the same things I did.”

Calvin Johnson, whose Olympia-based K Records has recorded Bratmobile and Mecca Normal, is amazed at how Riot Grrrls have caught on. “There’s been a spontaneous explosion of interest that I compare to punk rock in the 70′s, when people in Toronto and Paris and Olympia and Tucson were all saying at the same time: ‘Oh, yes, this is what I was looking for.’ “

In Ms. Neuman’s bedroom is a cardboard box full of letters from young women who have responded to Girl Germs. One girl wrote from “an elitist school dominated by the American dream” to say that finding others like her was “my only hope to survive this living hell.” Her letter closed: “Send me your lives.”