Kitten Forever: The Feminist Punk Trio That Roared Out of Minneapolis
Born in the basement venues and independent music spaces of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kitten Forever emerged in June 2006 as one of the most electrifying feminist punk acts in the American underground scene. Comprising Corrie Harrigan, Laura Larson, and Liz Elton, the all-woman trio built their reputation on sheer sonic intensity and an unwavering commitment to authentic, self-determined artistry. Reviler described them as a band who "collapse pop melodies underneath fuzzy, broken-speaker bass and chaotic drumming, all held together by glue and safety pins vocals that bring to mind the kinetic energy and art-punk attitude of Karen O."
The band wasted no time making their presence felt, releasing their debut album Born Ready in 2008. Drawing from the traditions of riot grrrl, dance-punk, and raw punk rock, Kitten Forever carved out a sound that was simultaneously abrasive and melodically infectious. Their early recordings, including the EPs Fat Crush and Magical Realism, demonstrated a band unafraid to embrace imperfection as a form of artistic power, with Laura Larson famously relying on whatever bass guitar and amp happened to be lying around, paired with a Boss Overdrive/Distortion pedal for that signature gritty tone.
By 2013, Kitten Forever had evolved significantly, releasing their acclaimed second full-length album Pressure on Guilt Ridden Pop. Recorded at Ecstattic Studios by Ali Jaafar, the album introduced the single Famous Friends and showcased a band growing more sophisticated without losing any of their raw edge. It was during the Pressure era that the trio pioneered what would become their most celebrated live performance technique: fluidly switching instruments and roles mid-show, a practice that dismantled traditional stage hierarchy and created a thrillingly unpredictable concert experience. Inspired by the sound of punk band Mika Miko, they also began performing with a telephone microphone, adding another distinctive layer to their already compelling stage presence.
Their third album, 7 Hearts, released in 2016 on JD Samson's Atlas Chair Records, saw Kitten Forever distilling their energy into fifteen tracks running under thirty minutes. Recorded by Matt Castore and mastered by Sarah Register, the album amplified the party-driven spirit of Pressure while weaving in harder, more nuanced explorations of feminism and power. It was a record that proved the band could be simultaneously joyful and politically sharp, a balance few punk acts manage to strike so effortlessly.
Returning to their independent roots, Kitten Forever self-released Semi-Permanent in 2018 through their own imprint, Rat Queen Records. The eleven-song album reaffirmed their DIY philosophy and led to a high-profile touring opportunity as support for Screaming Females on their All At Once US tour, introducing the Minneapolis trio to an even wider audience of hungry punk fans.
On June 10, 2022, after sixteen remarkable years together, Kitten Forever announced via Bandcamp that they had "crossed the rainbow bridge," marking the end of one of feminist punk's most vital and uncompromising acts. Their legacy endures not only in their recordings but in the spirit of collaborative, hierarchy-defying music-making they championed throughout their career.
