Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and Tinuviel Sampson, and based in both Olympia, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, but was originally known for its commitment to underground punk rock bands and the Olympia area music scene.
Bikini Kill is an American punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington, in October 1990. The group consists of singer and songwriter Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail. The band pioneered the riot grrrl movement, with radical feminist lyrics and fiery performances. Their music is characteristically abrasive and hardcore-influenced. After two full-length albums, several EPs and two compilations, they disbanded in 1997. The band reunited for tours in 2019 and 2020.
K Records is an independent record label in Olympia, Washington founded in 1982. Artists on the label included early releases by Beck, Modest Mouse and Built to Spill. The record label has been called "key to the development of independent music" since the 1980s.
Tobi Celeste Vail is an American independent musician, music critic and feminist activist from Olympia, Washington. She was a central figure in the riot grrl scene—she coined the spelling of "grrl"—and she started the zine Jigsaw. A drummer, guitarist and singer, she was a founding member of the band Bikini Kill. Vail has collaborated in several other bands figuring in the Olympia music scene. Vail writes for eMusic.
The Go Team was a 1980s band from Olympia, Washington, consisting of Tobi Vail and Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening.
Unwound was an American post-hardcore band based in Tumwater/Olympia, Washington. The group was strongly associated with the label Kill Rock Stars throughout the 1990s, until their dissolution in 2002. Unwound was sharply dissonant and angular, often resorting to unusual guitar tones, and was associated with post-hardcore and noise rock. The band toured frequently, preferring "all ages" clubs and are noted for their strong DIY ethic. The group spawned numerous side projects.
Bangs was an American punk rock and Riot grrrl band from Olympia, Washington, United States.
Fake Train is the second studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on July 7, 1993 by Kill Rock Stars. The album marks the debut of Sara Lund, who became the band's longest serving and last drummer.
Reject All American is the fourth studio album by the American punk rock band Bikini Kill, released in 1996 by Kill Rock Stars.
Shoplifting was an American punk band, formed in 2002 in Seattle, Washington.
Leaves Turn Inside You is the eighth and final studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 17, 2001 by Kill Rock Stars. The album received high acclaim from several music critics.
The Future of What is the fourth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 24, 1995 by Kill Rock Stars. The album was recorded in December 1994 at John and Stu's in Seattle, Washington.
Repetition is the sixth studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on April 9, 1996 by Kill Rock Stars. It was recorded in January 1996 at John and Stu's Place in Seattle, Washington and produced by Steve Fisk and John Goodmanson. The album received positive reviews from critics.
New Plastic Ideas is the third studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on March 21, 1994 by Kill Rock Stars.
Challenge for a Civilized Society is the seventh studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, released on January 13, 1998 by Kill Rock Stars. It was produced by Steve Fisk and recorded from August 1, 1997, to August 15, 1997, at John and Stu's in Seattle, Washington. The album received positive reviews from critics.
Vernon Emory Aldo Rumsey was an American musician and the bassist for the band Unwound. He generally played a Fender Jazz bass. He was also a recording engineer who has worked with bands such as Blonde Redhead, KARP, Enemymine, Novex and Replicator.
Unwound is the first studio album by the American post-hardcore band Unwound, though it wasn’t released until 1995. Trouser Press called the album "one of their best".
The Old Haunts were a rock music band formed in 2001 in Olympia, Washington. The band was sometimes defined as punk but exhibited additional qualities similar to southern swamp rock. Arpeggiated twangy guitar riffs, pounding bass lines and rock drumming were major features of the group's sound.
Sarah Reed is an American musician, singer, and guitarist. She is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band The Husbands, which she formed and fronted in 2002. The group released two feature-length records on Swami Records and five 7" records. The Husbands toured the United States four times. Their international shows have been in Vancouver, Montreal, Canada, and Tijuana, Mexico. Concurrent with performing in The Husbands, Reed created and led a nine-piece soul-funk cover band, Her Grace The Duchess. They covered artists such as Ike and Tina Turner, Lynn Collins, Betty Davis, and Irma Thomas.
Riot grrrl is an underground feminist punk movement that began during the early 1990s within the United States in Olympia, Washington and the greater Pacific Northwest. It also expanded to at least 26 other countries. Riot grrrl is a subcultural movement that combines feminism, punk music and politics. It is often associated with third-wave feminism, which is sometimes seen as having grown out of the riot grrrl movement, and has recently been seen in current fourth-wave feminist punk music. It has also been described as a genre that came out of indie rock, with the punk scene serving as an inspiration for a movement in which women could express themselves in the same way men have been doing all along.
