Living in Dunedin in mid 2006 amid the profusion of noise, pop and electro acts filling
the cities galleries, venues and flats, Frank Eggleton formed the one-man act Kittentank.
A quirky mix of the prevalent surrounding influences in equal measures, Eggleton coined
his own particular lo-fi brand of casio backing beats, noisey guitar, distorted yet warm
sounding keyboards and smart lyrics with a hint of sarcasm, alternately screamed and
sung.
2007 saw Eggleton bring his veritable melting pot of Dunedin eclectic-ness to
Wellington, to embark on a busy 2 years writing music and playing the art gallery, book
launch and independent gig circuit. This culminated in the October 2008 recording
of Kittentank's first album "Post Modern Hoe Down", an 11- track lo-fi album that
charted Eggleton's musical development to date, recorded and produced by Rory Storm.
With "relatable and imaginative lyrics (that) bubble underneath all the distortion"-
(Einsteinmusicjournal.co.nz), the album was released to great local reviews, selling out
within a month.
In 2009, Eggleton enlisted the help of several Wellingtonians to work on new
material. Starting the year with a 3-piece renegade show at Camp A Low Hum and an
Orientation support slot, Kittentank grew a full 6-piece band by March. Expanding
on Eggleton’s original material, the Kittentank lineup now includes Kristen Paterson
on vocals and guitar (Death Rattle, Bangkok Chick Boys), Johhny Mulvey on guitar
(The Users, Dead Heroes Collective), Danny Brady on bass (Thought Creature), Alice
Macklow on keys (Full Moon Fiasco) and Warwick Donald on drums (Control 6580).
Kittentank took their new sound to the road with stints playing around the north and
south island, and have played with the likes of Wow(aus), Bonaparte(Ger), The Sharpie
Crows, Street chant, Thought Creature, The Drab Doo-Riffs, The Naked and Famous,
Flick, Tapeman, Brains, Postures, Forcefields, The Transistors, Sets, Dick Dynaminte
& The Dopplegangers, Big Flip The Massive, Cat Venom, Haunted Love, Diana Rozz,
Stefanimal and Stephen Jackson.
2009 also saw the release of the Kittentank Kittentank EP, recorded by Warwick Donald
at the Fredrick St Light And Sound Exploration Society in Wellington. Mastered by
Kittentank bassist Danny Brady, the 5-track EP covers garage, pop and rock with dance
beats and a multi-layered sound.
Kittentank are currently working on their sophomore album - which will also feature
songs written by Johnny Mulvey and Kristen Paterson – and are gearing up for the 2010
Spring Fever tour with Gucci Goo.
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Live Session - Kittentank