Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
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 |
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]
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]
