Right on the heels of their reunion shows in Toronto and Montreal, Bikini Kill drummer Tobi Vail has shared images of the band's first-ever zine.
The Olympia, WA-formed punk band's zines were just as integral to the riot grrrl movement as their music, with many of the feminist bands in the '90s following suit. While many of the scene's zines have been well-documented, this is the first look we're getting at the seminal zine in its original form.
"There has been some debate over what came first, the Bikini Kill fanzine or the band," Vail wrote in the caption of an Instagram post containing the zine. "I've been trying to find my copy of the first issue and I finally located it. In the intro it says Bikini Kill is a band and this is something we made to give out at shows."
Vail also acknowledges the outdated, third-wave ideologies in the zine's essay, saying that her intentions in sharing the piece are rooted in conversation-starting:
I know today's feminist youth embrace Yoko Ono, have evolved hardcore punk to be more inclusive, are way more intersectional than we were back then, and will find the gender binary overly simplistic and clearly recognize the heterosexism and bias within this essay — yet maybe still get something out of it? The larger point is don't be afraid to share your ideas! Ask questions! Participate! Make mistakes! Talk to each other! It is how we grow, evolve, and build community.
See Vail's excerpt of the zine and her full statement below.
The Olympia, WA-formed punk band's zines were just as integral to the riot grrrl movement as their music, with many of the feminist bands in the '90s following suit. While many of the scene's zines have been well-documented, this is the first look we're getting at the seminal zine in its original form.
"There has been some debate over what came first, the Bikini Kill fanzine or the band," Vail wrote in the caption of an Instagram post containing the zine. "I've been trying to find my copy of the first issue and I finally located it. In the intro it says Bikini Kill is a band and this is something we made to give out at shows."
Vail also acknowledges the outdated, third-wave ideologies in the zine's essay, saying that her intentions in sharing the piece are rooted in conversation-starting:
I know today's feminist youth embrace Yoko Ono, have evolved hardcore punk to be more inclusive, are way more intersectional than we were back then, and will find the gender binary overly simplistic and clearly recognize the heterosexism and bias within this essay — yet maybe still get something out of it? The larger point is don't be afraid to share your ideas! Ask questions! Participate! Make mistakes! Talk to each other! It is how we grow, evolve, and build community.
See Vail's excerpt of the zine and her full statement below.