Kathleen Hanna first used the Julie Ruin moniker for her incredible 1997 lo-fi album of the same name (Julie Ruin, a solo LP released then via Kill Rock Stars. In 2010, with her post-Bikini Kill band Le Tigre on pause, she began assembling The Julie Ruin's new lineup. The band includes bassist Kathi Wilcox (of Bikini Kill), keyboardist Kenny Mellman (of Kiki & Herb), drummer Carmine Covelli, and guitarist Sara Landeau (who Hanna met through Girls Rock Camp).