kitten – Spinning Platters

Single Of The Week: Music With Your Dad by Nasty Cherry

Five years ago, I attended SXSW and enjoyed a set where Charli XCX was backed by a three piece rock band. Rumor had it she was going to release a full on rock record, and it never happened. I’ve kept waiting, and instead of that record happening, she pieced together a rock band that includes the great Chloe Chaidez of Kitten on lead guitar. That band is called Nasty Cherry, and they released a new single called “Music With Your Dad” today! It’s a catchy, danceable rock number that will keep your fall nice and warm.

Nasty Cherry’s debut EP, produced by Charli XCX, will be dropping this November.

Film Review: Keanu

Key & Peele deliver a solid R-rated comedy for cat lovers.

The dynamic comedy duo of Key & Peele make their feature film debut with Keanu, an R-rated comedy about two homely guys masquerading into the criminal world in search of their kidnapped kitten. If you’re familiar with the Key & Peele comedic style, you’re sure to like Keanu for all its racial, crude, and awkward humor. If you’re not familiar with it, you may find yourself laughing at a moment or two and frustrated at others. Luckily, it’s fast-paced enough to get by any failed humor with ease. Keanu is a solid gut-busting debut for Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who utilize their strengths to bolster a hilariously absurd (and cuddly) premise.

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Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 7/24/14-7/30/14

It's Kitten vs Poodle Tonight in the Bay Area! Who are you going to see: Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill or Pookie & The Poodlez at The Night Light? — It’s Kitten vs Poodle Tonight in the Bay Area! Who are you going to see: Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill or Pookie & The Poodlez at The Night Light?

Thursday, July 24th

Kitten, Dear Boy, Your Cannons at Bottom Of The Hill

Kitten are, hands down, one of the top 10 live bands I’ve ever seen. Frontwoman Chloe Chaidez is the most fearless woman I’ve ever seen take to the stage. Sometimes I’m amazed that she is still alive, considering the type of torture she puts her body through on stage. This is their first time in the Bay Area since the release of their first full length record (after three excellent EPs). Their eponymous debut is a fun collection of synth pop songs with infectious hooks, and I highly recommend it. Although the live show is really the bread & butter with this band.

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Show Review: Paramore with Kitten at The Warfield, 5/4/13

It’s been a rough three years for Paramore. In that time, they’ve gone through almost as many drummers as Spinal Tap, and had to deal with one of the most public and bitter band break ups in recent memory. However, they have returned with a self titled album that is a collection of tracks that bring to mind their early forays into emo and hardcore, as well as some of the most positive songs they’ve released in years. Since it’s been a while, they are warming themselves up with small venue tour. However, since they like a challenge, they brought Kitten along for the ride- a live experience so dizzying that only the most confident band should try to play afterwards.

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SXSW 2013: A Diary Of A “Crafty Veteran”

Some band playing some where in Texas... — Some band playing some where in Texas…

Having been dubbed a “crafty veteran” by one local bystander, there are a few certain truths that I have discovered seven years deep into South By South West culture. 1) Always carry your phone charger because the battery will die; the ABC’s (Always Be Chargin’) as we here at Spinning Platters like to call it. 2) Delicious food is only a food truck away when you need to take a break and refuel in-between day parties and evening showcases. And 3) there will be both bad, and good bands at aforementioned showcases. The payout for waiting through a not-so-awesome band, however, can be an amazing, week-altering experience that leads to months of fan-girl-ing out, post-South By. However, this is all contingent on actually being granted admission to that one thing one wanted to see the most. There are still things to be learned and sometimes learned the hard way.

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Noise Pop Review: Francisco The Band, Kitten at Bender’s Bar & Grill, 2/28/13

Noise Pop Happy Hours are once of the better kept secrets of the festival. They all happen at Bender’s Bar & Grill in the Mission- a great spot that serves some of the cheapest drinks of any music venue in town. They also serve tater tots. And who doesn’t like tater tots? It also gets you some really intimate performances for free, and set times that are early enough for the fans to get with day jobs to get to bed at a reasonable hour, or the hardcores can tackle two shows in one night! On this Thursday evening, I managed to battle rush hour traffic in order to head out to see a couple of bands over a delicious grilled macaroni & cheese.

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Spinning Platters Interview: Chloe Chaidez of Kitten

Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill last June. Photo by Marie Carney

Kitten are a beast of a band. They play a furious blend of punk and new wave, while their lead singer, Chloe Chaidez, is at the tender age of 17, one of the most dynamic and aggressive front people in rock. We recently took the time out to speak Chaidez about their recently released EP, Cut It Out, the evolution of their sound and the logistics behind being in a teenage rock band. Kitten will be playing a Noise Pop Happy Hour show on Thursday, February 28th at Bender’s Bar & Grill as well as opening for Paramore at The Warfield on May 4th, and their debut full length is due to drop later this year. You’d be foolish to miss their live show.

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A Music Nerds Guide To Noise Pop 2013

Every year, for one week, the good people of Noise Pop with their epically refined tastes put together the best week of live music program of the year. And, of course, it could be highly intimidating as well. So, here is a well thought out guide to Noise Pop 2013.

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Show Review: Ume with Kitten at Bottom Of The Hill, 6/13/12

ume1 — Mr & Mrs Larson (All Photos by Marie Carney)

My editor in chief and I had an interesting conversation by text specifically about my musical tastes. I confessed that it seems that the older I get, the more I like louder, faster, more aggressive music, and this seems to be counter the normal musical evolution. He made note that loud, fast music isn’t really fashionable right now, and that the main reason I relate to it is because I feel the need to counter mainstream musical taste. There’s a chance that he’s right. There is a better chance that the rest of the world is simply missing the glory of a dynamic performance by a ferocious rock band. And, on a beautiful Summer’s night in Potrero Hill, we were treated to an amazing evening of all that is loud and fast.

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Spinning Platters Weekly Guide to Bay Area Concerts, 6/7/12-6/13/12

a-cute-kitten-11 — At Bottom Of The Hill on Wednesday.

I like all the different people
I like sticky everywhere
Look around, you bet I’ll be there!
Hot metal in the sun
Pony in the air
Sooey and saints at the fair

Saints alive you’re saying
Walk in … squares
The hid are out, out for the year
It’s a lot of face
A lot of crank air
Eroding around here

Summer’s ready
Summer is ready when you are

Sorry, The Breeders aren’t playing…

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