In her upcoming autobiography the original rebel girl promises details on everything from the grassroots Riot Grrrl movement to falling in love with Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys.
Kathleen Hanna, singer of Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, has announced the release of her memoir Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk in spring of 2024. She chronicles her life from her challenging upbringing to her college days in Olympia, Washington, and beyond to her beginning as a touring musician. In the book, she recounts the difficulties she faced in securing gigs and the struggles she encountered as an increasingly prominent figure in the punk movement, coming up against male violence and opposition to her feminist ideals.
As Hanna makes clear, being in a “girl band,” especially a punk girl band, in those years was not a simple or safe prospect. Male violence and antagonism threatened at every turn, and surviving as a singer who was a lightening rod for controversy took limitless amounts of determination.
The memoir also mentions the lasting relationships that were created due to her involvement in the music scene. It speaks of her strong connections with Tobi Vail, Kathi Wilcox, and Johanna Fateman; her friendships with Kurt Cobain and Ian MacKaye; and her introduction to Joan Jett as evidence of how the punk world is capable of fostering an atmosphere of kindness and support.
Hanna also opens up about falling in love with Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys and her debilitating battle with Lyme disease, and she brings us behind the scenes of her musical growth in her bands, Le Tigre and The Julie Ruin. She also writes candidly about the Riot Grrrl movement, documenting with love its grassroots origins but critiquing its later exclusivity.
Purchase Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk HERE
Need more Punk In Your Life?
10th Doc’N Roll Film Festival starting next month!
In it’s 10th year, the Doc’N Roll Film Festival is celebrating a decade of inspiring, entertaining and vital films about the musicians we love.
Noel Gallagher Argues ‘Definitely Maybe’ is the “Last Outstanding Punk Album”
“We were a punk band with Beatles melodies. We had no effects, barely any equipment, just loads of attitude, 12 cans of Red Stripe and
Album review: Maggot Heart whet primal appetites with new album HUNGER.
‘HUNGER’ – a mighty melange of musical modes from the magnificent Maggot Heart.
Whip-tight choruses, guided by a grunge-aged sensibility, where Punk and Noise Rock
SUM 41 Sign to Rise Records and Release New Single ‘Landmines’
Grammy-nominated pop punk legends Sum 41 make a boisterous return with ‘Landmines’, their newest single and first release on Rise Records.
Review: Random Hand’s new self-titled album
Random Hand release their fifth studio album and it showcases a band as strong and inspired as ever.
Review: The Atom Age make the old seem new in latest album
The Atom Age give blasts from the past a new lease of life in their self-titled album.
Punktuation Magazine For All Your Daily Punk News, Features, Interviews, Lifestyle and more!
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
