Rare is the band that integrates politics and an unabashed dance party as successfully as Le Tigre. They have earned a reputation for energetic live shows embellished with feminist-oriented performance art and multimedia. Based in New York, the group has toured eight times, often stopping in Chapel Hill. Most recently, two fellow electro-pop groups, hey willpower and Lesbians on Ecstasy, opened for Le Tigre Feb. 23 at Cat’s Cradle.

Frontwoman Kathleen Hanna rose to Riot Grrl prominence in the early 1990s at the helm of Bikini Kill, a neo-feminist punk group with a slash-and-burn attitude. Hanna became iconic in the Riot Grrl feminist movement, infusing the male-dominated punk genre with her powerful voice.

When it was time to move on, Hanna chiseled away the raw aggression of Bikini Kill for a more playful, danceable expression of her principles. Le Tigre was born. “We wanted to make a new kind of feminist pop music, something for our community to dance to,” said Hanna.

And dance you will. Le Tigre’s best release is undoubtedly its 1998 self-titled debut album. The band wastes no time, launching into an infectious high-energy romp that whips up an instant kitchen dance party. Also worth checking out are 2001’s “Feminist Sweepstakes” and the recently released full-length “This Island.”
Le Tigre’s sound is driven by catchy bass hooks and up-tempo electronic beats, sprinkled with jangly sampled loops. The music exudes a distinct hip hop influence alongside elements of disco and dance pop.

Traces of jagged electric guitar, lo-fi distortion and fiery vocals are a testament to Hanna’s punk rock heritage. Le Tigre’s vocals – represented on various tracks by each of the three band members – are often shrill, always defiant and definitely unafraid to explode into squeals and screams.

The band’s politics are firmly entwined in its music. The track “Hot Topic” celebrates feminist artists and activists from Aretha Franklin to Urvashi Viad, author of “Virtual Equality.” According to their web site, the members of Le Tigre “proudly identify as feminists. It’s also safe to say that the kind of feminism (they) are most interested in is the kind that not only challenges misogyny but also stands against racism, homophobia, class-ism, imperialism, etc.”

But Le Tigre manages to avoid taking itself too seriously. Smirking humor crops up in songs like “LT Tour Theme,” where fans find lyrics like these: “For the ladies and the fags, yeah/ We’re the band with the roller skate jams, yeah.”

One glance at the band’s web site is telling. The question and answer section includes myriad resources for those struggling with LGBT issues, advice on how to create electronic music and information for activists about setting up kiosks at Le Tigre concerts and promoting local benefits.

Keep an eye on the schedule for the next date. Until then, tide yourself over with an old fashioned kitchen dance party courtesy of Le Tigre.

Find their web site at http://www.letigreworld.com