"Ozzfest has been one of the best experiences of our lives so far." That's Kittie's Morgan Lander on a fading cell phone as said summer tour rolled forward.
     The shows have concluded, but the bill left a permanent positive scar on the quartet, whose success has continued to grow on their own terms. The thing is, they really wish people would stop asking them stupid questions that have nothing to do with their music.
     "The last time that we spoke it was really getting to me, but now it just pisses me off because we get it so much. You know, we are girls and whatever, but does it really matter? I don't think it does, and I just think that's really screwed up that some people don't even want to look beyond that. Sometimes I really want to scream, What about our songs? Don't you care about them? Isn't that what we are here for?'."
     Her rage is understandable, as the songs that make up their debut don't cater to the fluff, buff and shine that many girl groups bring upon themselves. That said, the conversation rolls back to Ozzfest and what made it so special for them.
     "I think it's just hanging out with everyone. You get to meet so many cool people, and for us that means a lot because these are people we really respect. We're all partying and having a good time, but there's definitely a well-oiled machine at work here. It's cool to watch Pantera play every day. It's cool to see Static X every day. All of the bands, really. It's just a great show. If you missed it and you love hard music, I feel sorry for you, because this year was really special."
     Beyond having an MTV Buzz Clip ("Charlotte") and a myriad of other accolades, Kittie clings to a spirit than can be best described as 'sort of indie.' "We are really lucky, because you hear all of these stories about how labels control you and make you do things that you don't want to do. That hasn't really happened to us. [Artemis Records] has been really, really good to us and they pretty much let us do our own thing. Maybe if you don't have anything to say, you end up in that situation. I don't know. The only band I can vouch for is ours and I'm pretty sure that we are doing things on our terms. That's what makes this all mean so much more."
     Underneath the bellowing and raging chords lie four pretty cool people who
are enjoying the ride for the moment. A perfect example of this theory lies in the fact that Morgan and sister Mercedes (drums) refuse to bow to typical rock sibling fates and that new music is far, far away. "My sister and I really do get along. That sounds so boring, but we don't feel like we have to live up to that stereotype. You know what I mean? Show me where it says that if you start a band with a family member that you have to hate each other. I don't know about new songs. We haven't really put that much thought behind it. I suppose that when we get back home that we'll focus on that. But that's going to be a while from now."
     It is suggested that producing rage after so much success might be a bit
harder, based on a different mind set. Lander doesn't really feel that it
applies to Kittie. "You know, that's a good point. But we're all still human. No matter how much you get, you still get let down. You still have bad days. I don't think anyone doesn't get visited by frustration. Like I said, when we get home we'll just live and let the music happen. We had our whole lives to write the first one and I think it will work best if we let the next one come to us the same way. We just won't have as much time."
     The members of Kittie really are working hard at keeping sensible heads on their shoulders. By traveling and absorbing the world at large not only are they getting to hang with past and present idols, but also they are gaining new life experiences. If that won't lead to an even better second album, nothing will.