Bikini Kill was formed in Olympia, Washington in October 1990 by vocalist Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox and drummer Tobi Vail.

[1] The band's debut studio album, Revolution Girl Style Now!, was released in 1991.

Consisting of demo recordings, the album was a limited independent release on cassette—in accordance with the band's DIY ethic.

Bikini Kill's final studio album, Reject All American, was released in April 1996.

Bikini Kill has been noted as an influence on a number of alternative rock bands, including Sleater-Kinney, Sonic Youth, Gossip, Tegan and Sara, Nirvana and Pussy Riot.