Billy Karren

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Billy Karren
Background information
Birth name	William Karren
Also known as	Billy Boredom
Occupation(s)	musician
Instrument(s)	guitar
Years active	mid-80s-Present
Label(s)	K Records Kill Rock Stars
Associated acts	Bikini Kill The Go Team Comet Gain

Billy Karren is a musician most commonly known as the guitarist of the influential punk band Bikini Kill. He was also active in many other music projects in the Olympia music scene including: The Go Team, The Frumpies, Corrections, and Spray Painted Love.

Being the only male member of a riot grrrl band, he was arguably the least outspoken member. Many of the very few Bikini Kill interviews included only the three other members of the band, Kathleen Hanna, Kathi Wilcox and Tobi Vail. Billy was asked about his private nature on a Kill Rock Stars email Q&A in 1999,

“

Frumpies Billy, you are the most rockin person out there. You are one of the best guitar players out there yet no one knows anything about you, your so mysterious, will we ever know what's in the mind of William Karren? Why don't you ever sing? I have this feeling that Everyone is scared of what you might cause if your voice is heard. So my question, WHO IS BILLY KARREN. Billy: No one really knows "Billy". personally, I would say that "Billy" is a completely fictional character.

”

He also briefly discussed his musical influences in the same Q&A,

“

Sarah asks: Dear Frumpies, What is one record that is always on your turntable? Also, what are some of the new bands you are listening to? Billy: Coltrane, Sinatra, Flipper - as for new bands, I'm into a band from Portland Ore. called "glass candy and the shatterd theater" They have a single out- look for it- plus any old Motown singles.

”