Kittie have had a longstanding legacy built on the backbone of their debut album Spit, but in the 25 years since that first release, they have continued to churn out album after album of experimental, yet always true to their sound, nu-metal savagery. This group of formidable women have paved the way for so many across the metal scene; especially female-led bands that emerged after them and undoubtedly, been inspired by them.
In September, to celebrate the anniversary of Spit, Kittie released an EP of re-recorded tracks from that first infamous record. The EP gives those beloved songs a fresh spin that reflect the wealth of experience they have gained since those first raw recordings. After all, Morgan and Mercedes Lander were only 16 and 17 years old when they first began putting music out with the bands original lineup. These two unrelenting sisters formed the band side by side and have been able to stick together to keep it alive over the years through hardwork, dedication, and their combined fiery passion.
As we look back on the last year, there have been many defining artist interviews but on this last day of 2025, we wanted to look back on one of our favorite video interviews that never made it to publication. In October, New Noise caught up with Kittie after their set at the annual Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA. It is the most prominent metal and rock music festival on the West Coast, bringing in hundreds of the most legendary bands throughout the scene every year. While at Aftershock, we had the opportunity to see their live set, chat about the new EP, and reminisce on their outstanding musical career.
You guys just released a new EP, Spit XXV, upon the anniversary of your debut album which came out in 2000. What can you tell us about the EP and the changes you’ve noticed from the recordings then vs now?
Morgan Lander: I mean, it’s 25 years of experience that you put into the new recording versus the first go-around, we had no idea what we were doing. It was really one of our first times in a recording studio, and we didn’t really know the ropes. So we just poured all of our experience and knowledge and abilities that we’ve accumulated over the last 25 years into this re-record stuff.
Mercedes Lander: I do also want to point out, though, that there were a lot of similarities as well. For instance, we used all the same guitar amps that we recorded the first record on, which is pretty neat, and the same producer.
Morgan: I think with the first album, there’s a lot of rawness that a lot of people do really enjoy and realness to it, but I feel like we quickly moved away from that skill level as a band as soon as we recorded and started going out on tour. But I certainly can appreciate the first album for what it is and it was really nice to be able to re-record stuff, just to sonically bring things to where we’re at now.
For many fans, Spit was the defining record for you all, but since you’ve recorded and put out so many albums since then, what album resonates the most for you all or you feel is the true Kittie?
Mercedes: I think everything after Spit, to be honest with you.
Morgan: I would say every new album becomes that album. I mean, when you record the next one, it’s like, oh, that’s the best one. But I feel like when we started In the Black, to me, that was the beginning of everything that was new. It felt like a reintroduction to a slightly different sound sonically.
Ivy Jenkins: I think so, too. I think In the Black, whenever I listen to that album, you can hear how happy and together and unified that we were. We had the best time in the studio together. It’s funny because it’s, like, really negative, heavy music, but you can really hear us in a positive light, and I think that it kind of looped around on Fire as well. But I agree with you that it really feels like a happy, energized band.
Morgan: There’s, like, an old era and then a new era, and the new era is where it’s at.
I watched your 2017 documentary Kittie: Origins/Evolutions, and you talk about how you longed for separation from that first album due to how young you were when you made it and the fact you want fans to explore the progression of the band over the years. However, with the re-release, do you think you reconnected with that music now that it’s been so long, despite trying to break away from it over the past couple decades?
Morgan: Yeah, I mean, I don’t know. I think with the first album, there’s a lot of rawness and realness to it that I think a lot of people do really enjoy, but I feel like we quickly moved away from that skill level as a band; as soon as we recorded and started going out on tour. But yeah, I certainly can appreciate the first album for what it is and it was really nice to be able to re-record stuff, just to sonically bring things to where we’re at now.
You were one of the first hard core all-woman bands to hit the mainstream 25 years ago; how have you seen the scene progress over the years as women have really stepped up and found their place within the metal music genre?
Morgan: Well, there’s certainly a lot more representation, which, of course matters. I think that’s a wonderful thing; the more the merrier. Let’s get as many ladies representing metal in all forms in the band, singing, instruments, all that. You know, I think it’s super important.
If you could describe the legacy you’ve built over the course of your career in just three words, what would those be?
Tara McLeod: Powerful.
Mercedes: Oh, I was gonna say that!
Morgan: We’re funny, sometimes. We’re humble. Um, but I think resilience, defiance, and, uh, maple syrup.
Mercedes: Yah OK so why don’t we do resilience, defiance, power … and maple syrup.
Photos courtesy of Jake Miller
