Julie Ruin was first only Kathleen Hanna, a highly influential Riot Grrrl who was previously in Viva Knievel, Bikini Kill, and the Fakes. This independent record was produced by Hanna in 1997, during a break from Bikini Kill, mostly in her apartment in Olympia. Like most of her work, it is heavily charged with feminist ideals, such as resisting police abuse in "I Wanna Know What Love Is". The songs blend punk rock and electronic music. Videomaker Sadie Benning directed a video for the song "Aerobicide"