They Are Women, Le Tigre Roars

Sexism, commercialism and homophobia were the fundamental issues addressed by the fierce females of two underground sensations, headliners Le Tigre and second-billed Chicks on Speed, to a capacity crowd at the El Rey Theater on Friday. But the night’s most compelling message was ultimately about the power and politics of dancing.

Munich-based techno-wave trio Chicks on Speed, known for their arty presentations and do-it-yourself aesthetic, started strong with their sardonic take on Cracker’s “Euro Trash Girl,” enhanced by black light that made each member (dressed in white, homemade frocks emblazoned with the names of technology corporations such as Compaq and Hitachi) seem as vibrant as the sounds bursting out of their synthesizers.

But their quirky show grew tedious with each successive mechanical rhythm and off-key rant. Though simplicity is part of their charm on record, in a live forum the Chicks just seem robotic.

Le Tigre also uses get-up-and-boogie beats to fuel its ideas, but with much more depth.

Though the band spews less vitriol than leader Kathleen Hanna’s previous group, riot grrrl pacesetter Bikini Kill, it’s no less didactic.

Projected images of influential females such as Patti Smith and Billie Jean King, as well as footage of self-defense classes and girls breakdancing, made the pro-woman, pro-gay thrust of the band inescapable.

Still, Le Tigre’s funky, punky ditties (made mostly electronically, but enlivened by guitar from Hanna and co-songwriter Johanna Fateman) never felt overtly negative, even on anti-misogyny anthems (“FYR”) and fervent calls to action (“Keep on Livin’”).

The mix of colorful, matching outfits, feisty-fun vocals and even choreographed dance moves showed Hanna and company spreading feminism in a subtle yet commanding way--by speaking their minds while celebrating physicality and the freedom to bump ‘n’ grind.