| Chainsaw Kittens | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Norman, Oklahoma |
| Genres | alternative rock, glam rock |
| Years active | 1989–2000 |
| Labels | Mammoth, Atlantic, Echostatic, Spacebaby, Mercury, Scratchie, Four Alarm |
| Associated acts | Defenestration Halston |
| Members | |
| Tyson Meade Trent Bell Matt Johnson Eric Harmon |
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| Past members | |
| Mark Metzger Clint McBay Aaron Preston Kevin McElhaney Ted Leader |
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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]
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]
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