Chainsaw Kittens

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 Menéndez, and Oscar Wilde.[1][2]

Chainsaw Kittens
OriginNorman, Oklahoma
GenresAlternative rock, glam rock
Years active1989–2000
Labels
MembersTyson Meade
Trent Bell
Matt Johnson
Eric Harmon
Past membersMark 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 '90s 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

Albums

EPs
  • High in High School (Mammoth, 1992)
  • Angel on the Range (Mammoth, 1993)
  • Candy for You (Scratchie, 1996)

Singles
  • "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

References
  1. Raggett, Ned. "Chainsaw Kittens Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  2. Sinclair, Tom. "Chainsaw Kittens". Trouser Press. Retrieved May 5, 2009.
  3. Thompson, Dave (2000). Alternative Rock. Milwaukee, Wis.: Hal Leonard Corporation. pp. 248–249. ISBN 0-87930-607-6.
  4. Barsotti, Mark (March 3, 1994). "The Kittens' Meow". Denver Westword. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  5. Greer, Jim (January 1991). "Chainsaw Kittens - Violent Religion". SPIN. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  6. Triplett, Gene (April 30, 2008). "Chainsaw Kittens reuniting". The Olkahoman. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  7. 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)
  8. "Chainsaw Kittens Drummer Eric Harmon Dies". Retrieved December 10, 2018.
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