The Julie Ruin Merges The Past With The Future To Create Ferocious Dance Punk

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 9, 2014 4:00PM

Photo by Shervin Lainez

The Julie Ruin's debut Run Fast has so much for a fan to get excited about: it reunites Kathleen Hanna with Bikini Kill bandmate Kathi Wilcox and it (sort of) resurrects a concept that directly led to the formation of Le Tigre. It is also filled out with a notable roster of other musicians and even features some production from LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy.

And fans should be excited, because Run Fast is a fast, playful blast of dance-punk. It carries through many sonic similarities to Le Tigre's catalog, but there's a lighter mood here. We're not saying Hanna has gone full on party mode—many lyrics are more "let's hang out" than "let's riot"—because she still is able to summon a snarl that will send most running into a corner. But the focus on this album is getting folks to dance to the frenetic and funky rhythms and melodies. And when politics seep in, it's still in the James Brown vein of delivering the message within the music with the central focus still being on the body over the mind. Call it the soulful osmosis approach; it works. Mostly, though, folks can feel free to enjoy Run Fast as a unique collection of party jams turned on their head. Dig in deeper if you want, but no one's going to make you.

The Julie Ruin's all ages show tonight at Lincoln Hall should prove an out of control, sweat soaked, glorious affair.

The Julie Ruin and Screaming Females play tonight, April 9, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln, 7 p.m., $16 adv / $18 doors, all ages.