Kittie

Kittie was formed in September 1996 in London, Ontario, with guitarist Fallon Bowman and drummer Mercedes Lander. The following year, Mercedes’ sister Morgan Lander joined as vocalist and guitarist, and Tanya Candler joined as bassist in November 1997. The band recorded demos and began performing in 1998, leading to a signing with NG Records in 1999. Their debut album, “Spit,” was initially released on NG Records in November 1999, and later reissued by Artemis Records in January 2000. “Spit” achieved significant commercial success, selling over 600,000 copies in the United States and securing a gold certification from the RIAA.

Following “Spit,” Kittie released “Oracle” in 2001, which transitioned to a heavier, more aggressive sound incorporating death and thrash metal elements. Fallon Bowman departed before “Oracle”‘s recording, with Morgan Lander handling all guitar tracks for the album. Changes continued in 2002 when Talena Atfield replaced Tanya Candler, and Jennifer Arroyo later replaced Atfield. In 2004, Lisa Marx joined as guitarist before both Marx and Arroyo departed in 2005 due to financial difficulties attributed to Artemis Records. The band then established their own label, X of Infamy, and released “Funeral for Yesterday” in 2007, featuring new members Tara McLeod on guitar and Trish Doan on bass.

Kittie continued to release albums, including “In the Black” (2009) and “I’ve Failed You” (2011), during which Ivana “Ivy” Jenkins served as bassist. After a period of inactivity and an indefinite hiatus, marked by the release of the documentary “Kittie: Origins/Evolutions” in 2018 and a reunion concert, the band officially ended their hiatus in January 2022 with Jenkins rejoining. They performed at the Blue Ridge Rock and When We Were Young festivals, leading to a signing with Sumerian Records. Their seventh album, “Fire,” was released on June 21, 2024, signaling their continued presence in the heavy metal scene.