KITTIE's MERCEDES LANDER On Band's Return To Live Stage: 'This Is A Fantastic Feeling'

As part of a new article in The New York Times focusing on nu metal's resurgence, Canadian metallers KITTIE spoke about their decision to reunite, initially for a couple of festival appearances before beginning work on new music. Drummer Mercedes Lander said bookers started calling again in the fall of 2021 because of renewed interest, with KITTIE taking the stage for the first time in five years at the 2022 Blue Ridge Rock Festival last September in Alton, Virginia.

"It did take a little bit of talking into," Mercedes said of the offer to reunite. "When we stepped onstage, I was, like, 'Oh, yeah, this is how it's supposed to be. This is what I'm supposed to be doing.' This is a fantastic feeling."

Mercedes went on to say that it makes sense that the songs she wrote with her older sister, Morgan Lander, when they were teenagers still resonates with people. "It just kind of proves that teenage angst is timeless," she said.

Morgan shared the sentiment, saying: "That's not to say there isn't still a fire and anger in us now — yeah, we're still pissed."

KITTIE's May 13 performance at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas, Nevada included the live debut of a new track called "Vultures".

Joining Morgan and Mercedes at the band's recent gigs were guitarist Tara McLeod and bassist Ivana "Ivy" Vujic.

Prior to Blue Ridge, KITTIE had not performed since its reunion show at London Music Hall in the band's native London, Ontario in 2017, celebrating the group's documentary "Kittie: Origins/Evolutions".

Vujic joined KITTIE in 2008 and appeared on the band's fifth studio CD, 2009's "In The Black". She also wrote and recorded bass for KITTIE's sixth album, 2011's "I've Failed You".

In January 2022, the original lineup of KITTIE — Morgan, Mercedes, Fallon Bowman (guitar) and Tanya Candler (bass) — reunited for an online chat to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of its gold-certified 2000 debut album, "Spit".

Candler left KITTIE after the release of "Spit" in order to finish high school and was replaced by Talena Atfield.

Bowman exited KITTIE in 2001 and started her own industrial/electronic project, AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT.

After KITTIE completed the touring cycle for 2011's "I've Failed You" album, the band entered a long period of inactivity during which Morgan focused on a marketing job for a chain of fitness clubs while Mercedes worked in real estate and more recently at a software company. The group also began work on a career-spanning documentary, "Origins/Evolutions", which finally saw the light of day in 2018 via Lightyear Entertainment in North America.

"I've Failed You" sold 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 178 on The Billboard 200 chart.