The Chainsaw Kittens were a part of the American alternative rock scene, drawing from pop, glam rock, punk, new wave and British Invasion music.[1][2][3] Their lyrics tackled such varied topics as religion, the Stonewall riots, Federico Fellini, Oklahoma, Erik Menendez, and Oscar Wilde.[1][2]
Chainsaw Kittens | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Genres | Alternative rock, glam rock |
| Years active | 1989–2000 |
| Labels | |
| Members | Tyson Meade Trent Bell Matt Johnson Eric Harmon |
| Past members | Mark Metzger Clint McBay Aaron Preston Kevin McElhaney Ted Leader |
Based in Norman, Oklahoma, its name a reference to the band members' youth and "chainsaw guitar sound",[4] the Chainsaw Kittens were active from 1989 to 2000.[1] Debuting with a sound described 1991 SPIN review as "The Smiths meet the New York Dolls meet the devil",[5] the group gained attention with "thrift-store transvestism," which it abandoned when the look "started to overshadow the music."[4] The band underwent several personnel changes,[3] but maintained the presence of principal singer/songwriter Tyson Meade, previously of Norman alt-rock outfit Defenestration, and guitarist/producer Trent Bell.[1][2][3]
Though the Kittens saw little commercial success during their period of activity, they have since won praise as "[a]rguably the best American band who never made it" in the 1990s heyday of alternative rock.[1][2]
In the 1995 movie Empire Records, the character Mark, played by Ethan Embry, is wearing a "Chainsaw Kittens" t-shirt throughout the movie.
The band reunited for a performance at the Norman Music Festival in Norman, Oklahoma on April 26, 2008.[6] The band reunited once more on September 8, 2017 to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Norman music venue The Opolis.[7]
On October 4, 2017, drummer Eric Harmon died from colon cancer at the age of 48.[8]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Violent Religion (Mammoth, 1990)
- Flipped Out in Singapore (Mammoth, 1992)
- Pop Heiress (Atlantic/Mammoth, 1994)
- Chainsaw Kittens (Mercury/Scratchie, 1996)
- The All American (Four Alarm, 2000)
EPs
edit- High in High School (Mammoth, 1992)
- Angel on the Range (Mammoth, 1993)
- Candy for You (Scratchie, 1996)
Singles
edit- "Mother (of the Ancient Birth)" b/w "Death-Sex Rattletrap" (Mammoth Records, 1990, MR 0019, Blue Vinyl)
- "Lazy Little Dove" b/w "Extinction Stomp" (Echostatic/Spacebaby, 1995)
- "Grandaddy's Candy" b/w "Bones in My Teeth" (Scratchie, 1996)
Others
edit- Bug (2007 soundtrack) (Lionsgate, Sony / RED Distribution, 2007) - track No. 3 "She Gets"
- Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth (soundtrack) - track No. 11 "Waltzing With A Jaguar"
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Raggett, Ned. "Chainsaw Kittens Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Sinclair, Tom. "Chainsaw Kittens". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
- ^ a b c Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Milwaukee, Wis.: Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 248–249. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.
- ^ a b Barsotti, Mark (March 3, 1994). "The Kittens' Meow". Denver Westword. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- ^ Greer, Jim (January 1991). "Chainsaw Kittens - Violent Religion". SPIN. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
- ^ Triplett, Gene (April 30, 2008). "Chainsaw Kittens reuniting". The Oklahoman. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
- ^ reporter, Chandler Kidd, arts & entertainment. "Opolis to celebrate 15th anniversary with special concert series". OU Daily. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Chainsaw Kittens Drummer Eric Harmon Dies". Retrieved December 10, 2018.