I have described music autobiographies as brutally honest before, but I don’t think I have ever read one this fierce in its candour. At times it feels like Hanna is exposing all her open life wounds. She talks of abuse, rape, misogyny, confidence, and how Riotgrrrl came to be. She is very clear that Riotgrrrl was not perfect but it did open doors for many women and girls to think differently about life and playing music. The abuse she suffered including rape might have finished many people but she came out the other side much stronger. Obviously, she speaks a lot about her career in music with Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and the Julie Ruin. I have subsequently rediscovered much of that since reading the book and it has aged well. Kathleen Hanna is a hugely talented musician and the book shows her to be a wonderful human being who, unlike many of us, is aware of her flaws and turns them into strengths. Even the little anecdotes and trivia are interesting, particularly her not left for Kurt Cobain which said that “Kurt smells like teen spirit”. Whatever happened to that phrase? If you read no other autobiographies please read this one.
If you have enjoyed this article, feel free to follow the blog, or follow us on; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, EMail. Are you interested in writing and reviewing for With Just A Hint Of Mayhem? If so then please get in touch.
With Just A Hint Of Mayhem 