Ellie caught up with Kittie back stage at the Underworld in Camden to talk about being in an all girl group, crazy things that happen on tour and much more.

First off could you introduce yourself and give us a brief history of the band?
I'm Ivy and I play bass and I'm Tara and I play the guitar.
(Ivy) The band was formed fourteen years ago by Morgan and Mercedes and here we are today.

How did you come up with the band name Kittie?
(Tara) I think when the band first formed they really wanted to deceive people, Kittie sounds like you are going to see some nice girls with some acoustic guitars playing some nice melodies but it was the complete opposite, the aim was to shock people.

Last year you signed to E1 Music Label, how do you feel they have been treating you compared to your old label?
(Tara) So far our relationship with E1 has been really good, we have found that in comparison to our old label they want to work as more of a group. They are listening to the things we say and our suggestions. Being a band that has been in the spotlight for 10 years we have learned what works and does not and what works for the fans and E1 is really on board with everyone's suggestions so far.

Following your new signing you brought out your fifth studio album (In the Black) where did you get your inspiration from when writing the album and what concepts are behind the songs?
(Ivy) With this album we wanted to have the opposite to what our last album sounded like as far as production goes, its anger filled a lot. We just wanted to write a really heavy album and that is what we accomplished and everyone is very happy with it.

What are your favourite tracks off the album and why?
(Ivy) For me its probably Sorrow I Know just because it has a different sounding, its got a different flow compared to the other songs and I think its really well written.

(Tara) I really like Forgive and Forgot and The Truth.

For a band that has been together since 1996 what would you say your biggest challenge has been?
(Ivy) There are several but then there are for most bands, I know some people want to pin it on the female thing. It defiantly has been difficult though because some people don't take us seriously, it has been a hurdle but then again it makes people curious.

Last year you brought out a video for Sorrow I Know, what are the themes of this video?
(Ivy) Its a 1920s speak easy theme, the one version that wont be played on TV but its on youtube. There is a storyline behind it that involves murder, love and lots of making out, its a very dark video.

If you could be in any band past or present which band would it be and why?
(Ivy) Pantera because they are legendary and amazing.
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Do you have any funny tour stories from your time on the road?
(Ivy) Yeah all the time, in the last couple of days we have had people shitting in bag, pissing on taxis, climbing up polls this stuff happens every night.

Being an all female band do you ever feel you get treated differently?
(Ivy) Sometimes I guess but not so much by our peers or bands we tour with, people that know us don't treat us any differently.

(Tara) I think a lot of people have expectations of what we are going to be like or how we are going to behave, once they meet us they realise we are just like a bunch of dudes.

You have been touring Europe since the 2nd of January, how has the tour been going so far?
(Tara) Its been going really well, its been amazing.

What do you think to the current state of the music scene?
(Tara) I think its a rising scene, its still underground but a huge underground scene. You see loads of people wearing metal bands t-shirts in the streets these days, I think its huge and its really good.

You are from London, Ontario do you think there are any good bands from the area we should check out?
(Tara) Thine Eyes Bleed.

Okay one final random question, if you had a choice, what animal would you be out of a zebra or a giraffe?
(Tara) I would be a zebra because I like their strips better

(Ivy) That's a tough one as giraffes are tall but zebras are cute and they run fast.

Thanks for your time, is there a message you would like to give to your fans reading this?
(Ivy) Yeah that you very much to all our fans and everyone who has supported us, your amazing. Buy our album In the Black.

Interview By Ellie Pockley