Kittie - Music Artist Band Bio

Biography

Coming on like the anti-Britney Spears, this female goth metal quartet bludgeoned their way onto the US alternative scene with the release of their debut Spit. The band was formed in London, Ontario, Canada, by Fallon Bowman (Born 16 November 1983, South Africa; guitar) and Morgan Lander (Born 6 January 1982, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; guitar/vocals). The two teenagers first met in 1996 and were soon thrashing out amateur cover versions in Lander's parents' basement. The line-up was completed with the addition of Tanya Candler (bass) and Mercedes Lander (Born 25 January 1984; drums). The quartet graduated to writing their own material, and a crude demo cassette proved enough to earn them a recording contract with Artemis Records. Talena Atfield (Born 14 January 1983) replaced Candler, who left to form the Candy Darlings, in September 1999, only a month before the release of Spit. This ferocious blast of high-energy rock earned the band comparisons to another female outfit the Donnas, and also leading alternative metal acts Korn and Fear Factory. Tracks such as "Paperdoll" and "Charlotte" hinted at a more substantial talent submerged beneath all the bluster and bombast.

Kittie released their second album, Oracle, in December 2001, but the recording was completed without original member Fallon Bowman who left the band for unspecified reasons. Further personnel changes ensued when Jennifer J. Arroyo (Born New York, USA; ex-Spine) replaced Atfield the following March, while guitarist Lisa Marx returned the band to a quartet in early 2004.

Discography:
Spit (Artemis/Ng 1999)***, Oracle (Artemis 2001)***, Until The End (Artemis 2004)***.

Videography:
Spit In Your Eye (Artemis 2000).



Source: Encyclopedia of Popular Music