Columnist Spencer Patterson: Feminist trio Le Tigre promises serious fun at HOB

Spencer Patterson

Friday, July 22, 2005 | 8:25 a.m.

The women of Le Tigre use music to celebrate feminism and challenge political and social injustice.

Sounds pretty heavy, huh? But in the hands of Kathleen Hanna, Johanna Fateman and JD Samson, serious messages are conveyed with a wink and a smile.

Not to mention the colorful costumes, entertaining videos and danceable electro-pop tunes that have become the stock and trade of Le Tigre's celebrated live shows.

"It's the idea that political music doesn't have to be angry and hardcore," Samson said in a phone interview before a gig in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Tuesday. "We're happy to be the feminists and activists we are, and be making our music and letting people feel positive about that and dance and have a good time with it."

Le Tigre's summer tour hits the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Saturday, with support from British indie rockers Electrelane and Joshua Tree, Calif.-based bizarro country-rock outfit Gram Rabbit.

Doors for the all-ages show open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $14.50 in advance and $16.50 on Saturday.

Conceived by ex-Bikini Kill frontwoman Hanna in the late 1990s, Le Tigre immediately attracted a loyal following, in large part comprised of ardent feminists.

The trio maintains that fanbase today, but attempted to expand on it last year, signing to Universal Records imprint Strummer Recordings, which issued October's "This Island." Le Tigre's first two albums were self-released.

Samson said the surprise move had less to do with attracting new types of fans than growing its existing base of support.

"When we set out to switch to a major label we kind of thought, 'There's got to be more people who are like the people who come to our shows'," Samson said. "What we've really done is open our arms to more people in our community, because it still feels like a community at our shows.

"It's not like all of a sudden there's a huge contingent of jocks ... it's just that more people who were like our old fans know about us, maybe because we're in more magazines or on the radio or our video is on MTV."

Though Hanna, a founder of the 1990s riot grrrl movement -- an offshoot of punk-rock with a decidedly feminist bent -- is Le Tigre's most musically decorated member, Samson has become something of a focal point in her own right.

The 26-year-old's boyish looks, particularly her facial hair, are as much a topic of articles about the group as Le Tigre's lyrical content or musical approach.

Samson's response? Bring it on.

"I think it's important to see all kinds of different people in the media, and I think it's great that I talk about it and that people ask me about it, because it's something that people are ashamed of and to have another opinion out there can really help a lot of people," said Samson, who has the word "mustache" tattooed in huge letters across her chest.

"More than anything, people are really psyched to see a butch lesbian not trying to be femme, not trying to wear makeup and not trying to look girlie, because that happens a lot in the business."

The words sound awfully weighty, but Samson knows how to have fun, too. Especially when the lights go down and Le Tigre's electro beats begin filling up a concert hall, as they will Saturday on the Strip.

"Part of what we do is try to create a really cool show and a performance instead of just a band standing onstage playing their instruments," she said. "So I think it will probably fit really well (in Vegas), with our costumes and videos and all."

Quick hits

A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada over a busy next seven days:

The Megadeth-headlined "Gigantour" roars into the Thomas & Mack Center tonight. Also on the bill for the touring metal festival, which features two stages: Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic, Nevermore, Life of Agony and Bobaflex.

Tickets are $29 and $39, with doors scheduled to open at 4:30 p.m.

R&B star Ashanti lands on Green Valley Rancho's Whiskey Beach tonight, with doors slated to open at 7:30 p.m. The vocalist's biggest hits include "Foolish," "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Only U."

Tickets to the 21-and-over show are $47.50.

The House of Blues is home to a diverse concert slate this week: punk-rock veterans the Circle Jerks on Sunday ($12-$15); ska-punksters Reel Big Fish on Monday ($17.50-$20); percussive jam band Rusted Root on Wednesday ($22-$35) and New York rapper Nas on Thursday ($27-$40).

On sale

Crosby, Stills & Nash return to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sept. 17. Tickets are $51 to $96 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the Hard Rock box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe performs at the House of Blues on Oct. 2. Tickets are $17 to $22 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday through the House of Blues box office and Ticketmaster.

DJ Z-Trip spins at the House of Blues on Sept. 29. Tickets are $20 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mushroomhead sprouts at the House of Blues on Aug. 28. Tickets are $15 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Molotov plays the House of Blues on Sept. 26. Tickets are $20 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.