I must start off by saying, I have been lucky to get a chance to do most of things I wanted to do In my lifetime, but nothing gave me more pleasure than getting a chance to Interview one of my personal favorite metal band "Kittie." Not only do they represent and carry the word "Heavy Metal" to it's plateau, they manage to be subtle and laid back through it all. I give all the credit in the world to Kittie for their strengths and constant elevation. It's always good to know that as long as bands like Kittie are a part of music, Heavy Metal will never die.
Damien "TNS" Angelos: I know many people are nearly having spasms waiting for the next album to hit the stores. I'm sure you all are even more excited about working on it. What do you think the hardest part is about creating music for a new album?
Morgan: You know, surprisingly I personally have had yet to encounter any difficulty while writing this time around. I definitely can say that by far this is the most relaxed and stress-free experience we have ever had while creating. Plus this is by far the most accomplished material ever in all of this bands career, which is the exciting part for us. It just feels like there are no deadlines, and no rush to get this done.
Jennifer: There's really nothing "hard" about creating music... I mean, you have a couple of tough riffs and BAAM, there is a foundation for a song right there. Creating songs and working on them is just an amazing process... it's like they become your kids in a sense because you crafted this 4 - 5 minute monster that you can't wait for people to hear. To me, it's one of the best parts of being a musician... I love creating and I love bouncing ideas around and trying things out that you might not have thought of when you were first thinking of a structure. Like different arrangements and tempo... etc... etc... Bottom line is that the hardest part will be waiting for it to finally be recorded and finally out in stores!
TNS: Mercedes, as a drummer that many look up to, I'm sure you have many people asking your advice on learning to play. What do you think is the best advice you can give to a new drummer is? And what is a good kit for beginners to learn on?
Mercedes: The best advice i can give is that drums are a very hard instrument to play especially for beginners. Everyone is going to suck in the beginning... it requires a lot of practice, so don't be discouraged if you suck at first. You'll get better, it usually takes a while.
TNS: I have always been very curious how you keep your voice intact after every show? I remember seeing you play back to back shows with sound-checks on top of it and you sounded great every time. I know your throat must kill you after a while.
Morgan: Actually that is another mystery that I cannot really explain. It is all about projection. I don't really do much to make my voice as strong as it is. I do make sure to warm up before every show, and take my vitamins of course! Having a humidifier helps as well. It is something that comes naturally, and thankfully screaming doesn't hurt at all. I guess it is just a blessing.
TNS: OK .. Here is something I am really dying to know the answer to. If Ozzfest was no more, and it was now the year of the, "LadyJFest," who would be playing the second stage as well as the main stage for your fest?
Jennifer: Well, LadyJFest wouldn't have Kittie playing because we would all be too busy partying with all of our friends and bands that we love. I would make sure that food was SUPER CHEAP as well as BEER. Plus cheap cokes and waters for all the XXX and under 21 folks. I would be sure that there were a couple of cool booths set up like NORML, BME, 420bands.com, Lucky 13, etc... I would call up some killer artists to come and tattoo all day. Knowing me, I would want to set up a killer strip-club tent that would run from like 6 PM until the end. I would call it "Lady J's Lovely Ladies." YEAH!
So.. here is the lineup!
MAIN STAGE:
SLAYER - Headliner
BIOHAZARD - Main Support
Hatebreed
Shadows Fall
Sworn Enemy
Killswitch Engage
Dillinger Escape Plan
SECOND STAGE:
Life of Agony - ANOTHER REUNION SHOW!!!
Lamb of God - CO-Headliner
Poison the Well - Main Support
18 Visions
Dog Fashion Disco
December
Burnt By the Sun
Evergreen Terrace
TNS: I am so there! Although I may be smoked out watching strippers the whole time... but what a fucking blast it would be! Ok now I have to ask this question, I'm sure many are curious. What are your views on all current "War" situations we are dealing with today? We have a mutual friend that is heading in to the Army this summer, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and friends that may be on there way to boot-camp?
Mercedes: Good luck to everyone who is going overseas or training to do so... be safe and return safe... I'll miss you Casey.
Jennifer: That we LOVE THEM here at home (regardless of all the anti-war protests) and they are in our hearts and prayers. My father is a very proud Marine, so I understand and respect highly ANYONE who wishes to risk their own lives for OUR country in order to make our lives safe. I thank all service men and women our there DEFENDING this country. They are the true bad-asses.
War to me is ultimately a very dark, scary and sad time for a country. I don't want our troops to see citizens of our OWN COUNTRY burning the AMERICAN FLAG on CNN and think that everyone feels that way here in the States about the "War." I just want our troops to get out there... go do their job and get their asses back home safely to their families and loved ones.
You know, different people cry about this war being about power, oil and other various wrongdoings this country has quietly (and not so quietly) been involved in but, to that I have just one thing to ask those who feel this way :
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11TH??
TNS: When Kittie first broke on to the scene and the music started to sell, did you come across a lot of jealousy, and people who were only around you because you were Morgan Lander of Kittie? Was it hard to decipher a "True Friend"?
Morgan: Of course there was jealously around our area, as every band goes through some form or another of that type of thing. But more than that, there were just a lot of people who did not understand what we were doing and what we had to do to accomplish what we accomplished in so little time. I just feel that because we were so young, a lot of our peers really had no concept of what we as a band were doing. They never saw the process, they only saw the end result, and they felt like we were sort of undeserving of it. But I believe that with time, those people have sort of grown out of that idea, and have come to terms with it.
The people that have been friends of mine all along were the ones who were with me the whole time the "getting discovered/signed" process was going on, so there was never any trouble deciphering true friendship there.
TNS: Did you ever have any Idea that the name "Kittie" would have become as powerful as it is today ... was "Kittie" the Band name from the beginning or were there other ideas?
Morgan: Haha... I still don't see the power in that name. It was chosen because it was a complete contradiction to what we were doing, and to this day it still does what we wanted it to. We actually had a number of tentative names, but nothing really worth mentioning. It was Kittie from just about the beginning anyways.
TNS: What is the highlight of your everyday life when your not on the road?
Mercedes: Uhhhh i don't really have one... i guess when it's nice outside i like to bring my cars out and go for drives.... but other than that i don't do much
TNS: If you were to describe yourself in 5 words, what would those words be any why?
Jennifer:
Energetic - I'm just naturally amped.
Witty - What can I say? I'm a jokester with a bit of smart-ass thrown in.
Positive - Born with one of those "can't keep me down" sort of attitudes. Not that I don't get bummed out from time to time.
Sassy - Only every other Thursday.
Proud - I'm a hard worker and with hard work comes results.
TNS: What is one thing you can say about your band mates that you think your fan base should know, or doesn't know?
Mercedes: Everyone in this band is nice and will give you the shirt off their back if you need it and will go out of their way to try to make people happy. But we don't take shit from any one and if we don't like something we'll tell you.
TNS: If you had to describe your Music to someone who has never listened Kittie, how would you describe the sound that you all create?
Mercedes: Heavy Fucking Metal!
TNS: If you were stuck on a deserted Island for 10 years, what 3 things would you bring along with you to keep your sanity, and why those 3 things?
Jennifer:
1. My Sweet Thang - Duh!
2. My purple beat to hell Warwick - Gotta jam out.
3. My cell phone so I can call someone to get us the HELL OUTTA HERE!!!
Mercedes: Hmmmmm... first I would bring my cat because he's such a darling and keeps me company ... second would be Bryan, he's such a sweetheart. And third I would bring Morgan. I couldn't go a week without seeing her.
Morgan: I think I would bring my Ovation acoustic guitar, so I could continue to create, a cd player, and one cd, which would be Far's "Water and solutions." It is one of my all time favorites, and I never get sick of that cd.
TNS: In closing is there anything you would like to say to all your fans?
Jennifer:
Yes, WE LOVE YOU.
Thank you for supporting us through THICK AND THIN.. the best is yet to come.
Interview by: Damien "TNS" Angelos
For S.D.L (Spit into the Dark Lights) ZINE 2003
Damien "TNS" Angelos: I know many people are nearly having spasms waiting for the next album to hit the stores. I'm sure you all are even more excited about working on it. What do you think the hardest part is about creating music for a new album?
Morgan: You know, surprisingly I personally have had yet to encounter any difficulty while writing this time around. I definitely can say that by far this is the most relaxed and stress-free experience we have ever had while creating. Plus this is by far the most accomplished material ever in all of this bands career, which is the exciting part for us. It just feels like there are no deadlines, and no rush to get this done.
Jennifer: There's really nothing "hard" about creating music... I mean, you have a couple of tough riffs and BAAM, there is a foundation for a song right there. Creating songs and working on them is just an amazing process... it's like they become your kids in a sense because you crafted this 4 - 5 minute monster that you can't wait for people to hear. To me, it's one of the best parts of being a musician... I love creating and I love bouncing ideas around and trying things out that you might not have thought of when you were first thinking of a structure. Like different arrangements and tempo... etc... etc... Bottom line is that the hardest part will be waiting for it to finally be recorded and finally out in stores!
TNS: Mercedes, as a drummer that many look up to, I'm sure you have many people asking your advice on learning to play. What do you think is the best advice you can give to a new drummer is? And what is a good kit for beginners to learn on?
Mercedes: The best advice i can give is that drums are a very hard instrument to play especially for beginners. Everyone is going to suck in the beginning... it requires a lot of practice, so don't be discouraged if you suck at first. You'll get better, it usually takes a while.
TNS: I have always been very curious how you keep your voice intact after every show? I remember seeing you play back to back shows with sound-checks on top of it and you sounded great every time. I know your throat must kill you after a while.
Morgan: Actually that is another mystery that I cannot really explain. It is all about projection. I don't really do much to make my voice as strong as it is. I do make sure to warm up before every show, and take my vitamins of course! Having a humidifier helps as well. It is something that comes naturally, and thankfully screaming doesn't hurt at all. I guess it is just a blessing.
TNS: OK .. Here is something I am really dying to know the answer to. If Ozzfest was no more, and it was now the year of the, "LadyJFest," who would be playing the second stage as well as the main stage for your fest?
Jennifer: Well, LadyJFest wouldn't have Kittie playing because we would all be too busy partying with all of our friends and bands that we love. I would make sure that food was SUPER CHEAP as well as BEER. Plus cheap cokes and waters for all the XXX and under 21 folks. I would be sure that there were a couple of cool booths set up like NORML, BME, 420bands.com, Lucky 13, etc... I would call up some killer artists to come and tattoo all day. Knowing me, I would want to set up a killer strip-club tent that would run from like 6 PM until the end. I would call it "Lady J's Lovely Ladies." YEAH!
So.. here is the lineup!
MAIN STAGE:
SLAYER - Headliner
BIOHAZARD - Main Support
Hatebreed
Shadows Fall
Sworn Enemy
Killswitch Engage
Dillinger Escape Plan
SECOND STAGE:
Life of Agony - ANOTHER REUNION SHOW!!!
Lamb of God - CO-Headliner
Poison the Well - Main Support
18 Visions
Dog Fashion Disco
December
Burnt By the Sun
Evergreen Terrace
TNS: I am so there! Although I may be smoked out watching strippers the whole time... but what a fucking blast it would be! Ok now I have to ask this question, I'm sure many are curious. What are your views on all current "War" situations we are dealing with today? We have a mutual friend that is heading in to the Army this summer, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and friends that may be on there way to boot-camp?
Mercedes: Good luck to everyone who is going overseas or training to do so... be safe and return safe... I'll miss you Casey.
Jennifer: That we LOVE THEM here at home (regardless of all the anti-war protests) and they are in our hearts and prayers. My father is a very proud Marine, so I understand and respect highly ANYONE who wishes to risk their own lives for OUR country in order to make our lives safe. I thank all service men and women our there DEFENDING this country. They are the true bad-asses.
War to me is ultimately a very dark, scary and sad time for a country. I don't want our troops to see citizens of our OWN COUNTRY burning the AMERICAN FLAG on CNN and think that everyone feels that way here in the States about the "War." I just want our troops to get out there... go do their job and get their asses back home safely to their families and loved ones.
You know, different people cry about this war being about power, oil and other various wrongdoings this country has quietly (and not so quietly) been involved in but, to that I have just one thing to ask those who feel this way :
DOES ANYONE REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11TH??
TNS: When Kittie first broke on to the scene and the music started to sell, did you come across a lot of jealousy, and people who were only around you because you were Morgan Lander of Kittie? Was it hard to decipher a "True Friend"?
Morgan: Of course there was jealously around our area, as every band goes through some form or another of that type of thing. But more than that, there were just a lot of people who did not understand what we were doing and what we had to do to accomplish what we accomplished in so little time. I just feel that because we were so young, a lot of our peers really had no concept of what we as a band were doing. They never saw the process, they only saw the end result, and they felt like we were sort of undeserving of it. But I believe that with time, those people have sort of grown out of that idea, and have come to terms with it.
The people that have been friends of mine all along were the ones who were with me the whole time the "getting discovered/signed" process was going on, so there was never any trouble deciphering true friendship there.
TNS: Did you ever have any Idea that the name "Kittie" would have become as powerful as it is today ... was "Kittie" the Band name from the beginning or were there other ideas?
Morgan: Haha... I still don't see the power in that name. It was chosen because it was a complete contradiction to what we were doing, and to this day it still does what we wanted it to. We actually had a number of tentative names, but nothing really worth mentioning. It was Kittie from just about the beginning anyways.
TNS: What is the highlight of your everyday life when your not on the road?
Mercedes: Uhhhh i don't really have one... i guess when it's nice outside i like to bring my cars out and go for drives.... but other than that i don't do much
TNS: If you were to describe yourself in 5 words, what would those words be any why?
Jennifer:
Energetic - I'm just naturally amped.
Witty - What can I say? I'm a jokester with a bit of smart-ass thrown in.
Positive - Born with one of those "can't keep me down" sort of attitudes. Not that I don't get bummed out from time to time.
Sassy - Only every other Thursday.
Proud - I'm a hard worker and with hard work comes results.
TNS: What is one thing you can say about your band mates that you think your fan base should know, or doesn't know?
Mercedes: Everyone in this band is nice and will give you the shirt off their back if you need it and will go out of their way to try to make people happy. But we don't take shit from any one and if we don't like something we'll tell you.
TNS: If you had to describe your Music to someone who has never listened Kittie, how would you describe the sound that you all create?
Mercedes: Heavy Fucking Metal!
TNS: If you were stuck on a deserted Island for 10 years, what 3 things would you bring along with you to keep your sanity, and why those 3 things?
Jennifer:
1. My Sweet Thang - Duh!
2. My purple beat to hell Warwick - Gotta jam out.
3. My cell phone so I can call someone to get us the HELL OUTTA HERE!!!
Mercedes: Hmmmmm... first I would bring my cat because he's such a darling and keeps me company ... second would be Bryan, he's such a sweetheart. And third I would bring Morgan. I couldn't go a week without seeing her.
Morgan: I think I would bring my Ovation acoustic guitar, so I could continue to create, a cd player, and one cd, which would be Far's "Water and solutions." It is one of my all time favorites, and I never get sick of that cd.
TNS: In closing is there anything you would like to say to all your fans?
Jennifer:
Yes, WE LOVE YOU.
Thank you for supporting us through THICK AND THIN.. the best is yet to come.
Interview by: Damien "TNS" Angelos
For S.D.L (Spit into the Dark Lights) ZINE 2003
VIEW 25 of 35 COMMENTS
I know she wasn't even in the band when this interview happened but just stating, I miss her.
I miss Jennifer too, for that matter (despite her comments in this interview).