POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Charismatic Set From Bikini Kill

Bikini Kill--the leaders of the new hard-core feminist riot grrrl movement--made its most prominent Los Angeles appearance Friday night at the sold-out Hollywood Palladium. And it was every bit as confrontational as expected.

Appearing midway through the four-hour Rock for Choice benefit, lead singer Kathleen Hanna came onstage clad in a dress with the words “Kill Me” printed across the chest. While the quartet’s sound is relatively poppy (punk-a-go-go beats mixed with surfy, grunge guitar), Hanna’s lyrics are uncompromisingly direct.

The basic message is female empowerment, but it is often set against almost shockingly hostile male images--so much in fact that some of the men in the audience booed at one point, which was shocking in itself at a benefit to raise funds for women’s rights.

While much of the audience seemed unsure of just what to make of this Olympia, Wash., band, there was a small contingency of female fans that seemed wholly enthralled--as if they had found music really mattered.

Indeed, the “riot grrrl” movement has been met with lots of skepticism in the media: Is it all politics and hype or is there genuine artistry involved? On Friday, Bikini Kill demonstrated that it has the charisma (Hanna frequently injected some mocking cheerleader moves into her performance) and determination to blaze a new chapter in rock.

The proceeds from Rock For Choice--founded in 1991 by L.A.’s all-female band L7--go to abortion-rights activities. The bill also included Free Kitten--bassist Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth’s new band--which pumped out double guitar noise and intermittent shrieks; King Missile, with its bitingly funny lyrics, and Stone Temple Pilots, who overcame a sloppy start to deliver some fluid and seductive hard-rock grooves.