Australia's Vicious Kitten Records formed in 1999 and grew
out of the popular Vicious Kitten fanzine - created by the Gray
brothers.
The label developed a reputation for releasing artists
directly related to, or inspired by Johnny Thunders
...and has continued to release only the coolest rock 'n' roll out there| buy from bandcamp - last update: 26 Nov 2024
respecting the rock since 1999
After nine issues, five years, a print run of 10'000 copies (which saw distribution to every Australian capital city), Vicious Kitten fanzine folded in late 1998. Reviewer Garrison Wells wrote 'in all the zines I encounter, none seems
to embrace the rock n roll underbelly quite as idiosyncratically as
these guys do'. However every ending has a new beginning and thus, in early 1999, an independent record label was born. Over the next few years, Vicious
Kitten released recordings by Australian and international artists
including Kevin K, Freddy Lynxx, Nikki Sudden, Rick Blaze & The
Ballbusters, Sheek The Shayk (ex-Psychotic Turnbuckles) and The Golden
Arms (Japan). In 2000, Vicious Kitten Records released a compilation
album titled ‘Rock n Roll War’ which featured artists including The
Dictators, Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls), Deniz Tek (Radio Birdman),
Jeff Dahl, Peter Wells (Rose Tattoo), Sour Jazz, Trash Brats and The Hitmen. A second volume of
‘Rock n Roll War’ was released in 2002 on Vicious Kitten USA, a
subsidiary label operating out of Boston. ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll War’
Volume 2 featured Cheetah Chrome (Dead Boys), Jeff Crane, Walter Lure of The
Heartbreakers, Dave Kusworth (ex-Jacobites), The Streetwalkin Cheetahs,
Michael Thimren (ex-Johnny Thunders) and The Bullys to name a few.
For several years after the label's demise, the Gray brothers penned The Rockbrat Blog and also produced the popular Australian Rock Show podcast (site archive) interviewing some of the coolest cats in rock n roll: including members or former members of AC/DC, Radio Birdman, Rose Tattoo, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Skid Row, Screaming Jets, Angels, Buffalo, Girlschool, Raven, Dictators, Michael Schenker, John Waite, Guns n Roses, Zakk Wylde, LA Guns, WASP, Keel, Faster Pussycat, Hellacopters, Phantom Blue, Runaways, Trash Brats, Carmine Appice, TMG, Stars, Taste, Airbourne, Motorhead, L7, Kings Of The Sun, Judge Mercy, Orianthi, Boss, Candy Harlots, Georgia Satellites, Hitmen, Beasts of Bourbon, Screaming Tribesmen, Celibate Rifles, Lime Spiders, The Almighty, Scientists, Loudness, Queensryche, Rainbow, Stryper, Accept and more ! Vicious Kitten Records was
relaunched in 2021 with the vinyl 7" from Kevin K and Ricky Rat, 'Identity Crisis'.
Kevin K
BALLBUSTERS 7" EP OUT NOW!
23 years after their last release on Vicious Kitten, the Ballbusters return with ‘Keepin’ Up With The Jones’ - 4 killer new tunes on a vinyl only EP (on black or blue wax), including a never before released recording with Freddy Lynxx! All copies include a bonus sticker! John Papas: guitar | Jimmy Buscarino: drums | Jeff Crane: vocals, guitar | Dave Kowalchek: bass - Get it from https://viciouskitten.bandcamp.com - if in North America visit https://theballbusters.bandcamp.com or via the band on Facebook for ordering details (VKR018)
Kevin K and the Bowery Kats: Rosewood:
Kevin K: Guitar, Lead Vocals | Garrick Turner: Bass | Karl Durden: Drums
(VKR017) - *Includes bonus Kevin K and the Bowery Kats sticker
Get it from https://viciouskitten.bandcamp.com - if in North America e-mail kevinkband@aol.com for details. Available worldwide via MVD
Rosewood ALBUM RELEASED
NY punk veteran Kevin K returns in 2024 with Rosewood – a gritty and diverse ten song collection to back drop a world set with geopolitical tension, technological advances and a deficit of real rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a welcome and much needed return. Rosewood contains riff-driven rockers, tunes with a blues bent, and quieter moments that find Kevin K at his most reflective and openhearted. It’s full of loud and introspective pop shaped into bittersweet songs that evoke a heady mix of Big Star, Johnny Thunders, the Replacements and the Stones. All highlighted by Kevin K’s amiable vocal and keen ear for melody.
These days the cat loving Buffalo, NY native calls Rosewood, South Carolina home – and this album is an ode to his new city. Schooled in the 70’s first wave of NY punk (Aunt Helen (1978), The Toys (1979-1981) Kevin’s DNA extends back to
CBGB’s, the Bowery and the Lower East Side. He shared stages with Johnny Thunders, Sylvain Sylvain and Jerry Nolan of the New York Dolls, and with thirty-five albums and over a thousand shows under his belt, stands as one of the last links to the original NY punk scene still out there performing and releasing new music.
That the New York Dolls gigged in 1975 only a few hundred metres from where his house now stands is not lost on him. Decked out in red patent leather and a faux communist theme, the Dolls were in their death throes – yet on that night in Rosewood almost 50 years ago, they were supported by Sniper who featured one Joey Ramone in their ranks. Kevin K understands the lineage. It matters. Stranded in the jungle, stranded in life. Rosewood is an album of upbeat songs about feeling down and lucid observations about the halcyon days of the NYC punk scene, split evenly between ragged mid-tempo struts and bluesified come-down laments.
For rock fans from a certain vintage, it offers a hit of nostalgia, but for Kevin K, Rosewood is less an exercise in reliving the past than coming to terms with it.
As Rosewood emphatically attests, Kevin K is one kat yet to use up all nine lives - and has delivered yet another album of compelling, memorable and accessible rock songs.
THE GOLDEN RAT ROCK THE AIRWAVES!
On Saturday 6th July, 2024 THE GOLDEN RAT performed as part of 'Return Of The Living Dolls Vol 4‘ in Tokyo – A Tribute To Walter Lure. The Golden Rat features Mr Ratboy and Hiroshi the Golden Arm both on guitar, and on this special evening, Screaming Joe Rizzo (Pillbox, Waldos, D Generation) flew in from NYC to sit behind the drum kit. Rounding out the line-up were Furious B on bass and Daigenta on saxophone. A raucous evening of rock n roll was had by all and if you missed it, fear not. The band rushed an audio copy of their set over to Mark David in Austria to air on his wonderful Endless Summer Radio Show! This has to be one of the coolest radio programs around, with Mark continually flying the flag for the coolest rock n roll out there. This show is now available as a download - so grab a beer, tune in and crank it up !
ROSEWOOD coming Soon!
ROSEWOOD - the new album from KEVIN K AND THE BOWERY KATS - is currently in production. Engaging stories from a rock ‘n’ roll
heart……feat. Garrick Turner on bass and Karl Durden on drums. Released on Vicious Kitten Records (VKR017) - look for ordering details soon!
Are you a fan of rock 'n' roll's most unheralded songwriter ? Join the Kevin K Fan Club and connect with fellow fans who share your passion for his incredible music. Don’t miss out—be part of the Kevin K family today and celebrate the rock 'n' roll that moves us all! https://www.facebook.com/groups/kevinkfanclub
1 Justice Blind
2 Utopian Emotional Love Aura
3 A Slice of Life
4 Sleep and Dream
5 Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers
6 Too Many Girls
7 St. Valentine’s Day
8 Walk Don’t Run
9 Hand of Law
10 Heartful Of Hate
11 I Don’t Mind
12 The Party’s Over
13 This Bar
14 Man With Golden Helmet
15 Do The Pop
16 Aloha Steve and Danno
17 L.A. Woman
18 California Sun
HITMEN D.T.K.
with special guest Deniz Tek
'TONIGHT WE RIDE!'
Official Bootleg Release
live in Sydney: 13 November 1991
Johnny ‘Zeus’ Kannis – Vocals
Chris ‘Klondike’ Masuak – Guitar
Shane ‘Catfish’ Cooke – Bass
Gerard ‘Sundance’ Presland - Drums
Bob ‘Dutch’ Sattler – Guitar
Deniz ‘Iceman’ Tek – Guest guitar: - Lead vocals on Hand Of Law and Man With Golden Helmet
Mark Sisto – Back-up vocals on Do The Pop and Aloha Steve and Danno
Cat. number: VKR016
AVAILABLE 1 MARCH 2024 via: https://viciouskitten.bandcamp.com/
*Please note this is a physical CD only - no streaming or downloads of this album (VKR016). All CD orders within Australia are sent Registered Post (Signature On Delivery) which includes tracking. All international orders include tracking.
2 March 2024 Check out this 5-beer review from the Barman at the I-94 Bar !
Tonight We Ride! #7 on charts!
For the week beginning 11 March, 2024, Tonight We Ride! the live album from Hitmen D.T.K. entered the 100% Independent Albums chart at #7 ! Too Damn Cool ! (Australian Recording Industry Association)
FROM AUSTRIA to AUSTRALIA - GRAY BRos. interview !
In August 2023, it was Austria calling Australia, when the Gray brothers were interviewed by Mark on the Endless Summer Radio show ! Mark was weened on the right kinda rock and we had a great time chatting ! The show can be accessed below or via this link - please follow the show on Facebook - we gotta keep real rock n roll alive !
- ATTENTION ROCK AND ROLLERS! -
Tuesday August 22nd Colin and Denis Gray of Australia´s VICIOUS KITTEN RECORDS will join us on The Endless Summer radio show to talk about their fantastic label and artists like the Kevin K Band, Mr. Ratboy and more JOHNNY THUNDERS style rock and rollers such as Freddy Lynxx, Nikki Sudden, Rick Blaze & The Ballbusters, Sheek The Shayk (ex-Psychotic Turnbuckles) and The Golden Arms (Japan). Both Col and Denis have been active in the underground rock and roll scene since the 90´s, releasing magazines, hosting blogs and radio shows as well as the label.
Kevin K Publishes Debut children's book - 'The adventures of Alvin the Seahorse'
Dive into the magical world of Alvin The Seahorse with this heartwarming collection of poems and illustrations that will make you smile. Join Alvin on his aquatic adventures...brighten your day and inspire deep-sea dreams
You can get it via Amazon and other major retail outlets. Entertaining and engaging, this book carries a positive message, and Kevin's lively illustrations are sure to captivate young readers everywhere !
Buy it from Amazon
buy the new album from kevin - get a free 3" Die-cut sticker !
For a limited time only - CD copies of 'Broken' purchased direct from Kevin, include a promotional 3" die-cut sticker ! E-mail kevinkband@aol.com for details. Within USA only - stocks are limited - order now ! →
NEW kevin k album 'broken' RELEASED 1 may 2023
1. BROKEN
2. THE LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH
3. WRONG WAY TO HELL
4. THE LOST SEAHORSE
5. PRAYERS OF LIFE
6. ON THE OTHER SIDE
7. LONELY SOUL
8. RIGHT ROULETTE
9. WINTER 22
10. CATACOMB HEART
11. TRUTH IS THE SWORD
12. CAUGHT WITH THE MEAT IN YOUR MOUTH
VKR015
If in Australia - purchase from our bandcamp page - or if in USA, Europe or elsewhere, order via MVD
Broken - 3" die-cut sticker
The Golden Rat release video for 'Shot by both sides'
Tokyo outfit The Golden Rat continue to ride a wave of momentum created since the release of their album 'We Got A Right' was released late last year. Recently released is a stunning video for the track 'Shot By Both Sides' - which was recorded on the sunny streets of Tokyo in March. In its first three days, the video has garnered over 1500 views and continues to climb. Visuals are by designer Matthias Frey who has previously worked with The Golden Rat on other projects. 'Shot by Both Sides' was originally written and recorded in 1978 by the English post-punk band Magazine and appeared on their debut album Real Life. You can find The Golden Rat's superb take on their album 'We Got A Right' which continues to win them new fans. Limited copies available ! Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here
Mr. Ratboy DISCOGRAPHY
To celebrate the upcoming Golden Rat gig in Tokyo on 23rd April, we have compiled a complete discography of all of Mr. Ratboy's recordings ! In a career touching four decades, the multi-talented Mr Ratboy has plugged in and played with some of rock n roll’s elite: Sour Jazz, Motorcycle Boy, Pillbox, Bebe Buell, Jeff Dahl, Marky Ramone & The Intruders, Kevin K and Freddy Lynxx to name a few. His relationship with Vicious Kitten Records goes back many years when he played on the the 7" EP vinyl release Oriental Junk Sick - recorded by The Golden Arms in 2000. In 2022 Mr. Ratboy and Hiroshi The Golden Arm (The Golden Rat) released the album We Got A Right. A world class guitar player who possesses his own unique sound - enjoy reading through his many recordings below.
THE GOLDEN RAT SET TO HONOR JOHNNY THUNDERS WITH TOKYO GIG IN APRIL
Tokyo may be a long way from New Orleans, but both cities will be spiritually connected on April 23, when The Golden Rat headline a special show to honor the memory of cult guitar hero Johnny Thunders.
A member of both The New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers, Thunders passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 23, 1991. Since that time, he has continued to influence many guitar players.
The Golden Rat (who released their debut album We Got A Right last year) are comprised of guitar-slingers Mr. Ratboy and Hiroshi the Golden Arm. The album gained high praise from both fans and music critics with The I-94 Bar stating ‘It’s evocative and full-sounding, a record with feeling and heart that resonates throughout’.
The Swiss-born Mr. Ratboy was a member of late 80’s Hollywood outfit Motorcycle Boy and then went on to record with NYC’s Pillbox and Sour Jazz. Hiroshi the Golden Arm paid his rock ‘n’ roll dues in the 90’s with Tokyo outfit The Remains, who later morphed into The Golden Arms. Hiroshi is affectionately known as ‘the Japanese Johnny Thunders’. Also on the bill are Johnny Mosquito, The Oneway Generation, The Floppy-Pinkies and The Uppers.
When ? Sunday 23 April 2023 – Where ? Statto Live House, Musashi-Sakai, Tokyo
HIROSHI THE GOLDEN ARM DISCOGRAPHY RELEASED
To celebrate the upcoming Golden Rat gig in Tokyo on 23rd April, we have compiled a complete discography of all of Hiroshi The Golden Arm's recordings ! Since the mid-80's, Hiroshi Nakagome has been cranking out that distinct, Les Paul Junior-sound of his, across many of Japan's raucous live-houses. His relationship with Vicious Kitten Records goes back many years including the 7" EP vinyl release Oriental Junk Sick - recorded by The Golden Arms in 2000. In 2022 Hiroshi and Mr. Ratboy (The Golden Rat) released the album We Got A Right. Every inch the real rock n roll deal.
Kevin K FIRE IN THE HOLE - FREE DOWNLOAD - 11 March 2023
Released to celebrate Alan K's birthday - 11 March, 1955 - Always remembered - never forgotten
Kevin K - Joey The Cat Music ASCAP | Music & Lyrics by Alan K and Kevin K |Audio manipulation by Mr. Ratboy
fire it up - ALAN K beer !
Limited edition - available 11 march, 2023
To celebrate the release of Kevin K's new single FIRE IN THE HOLE - a limited edition can of FIRE IT UP - ALAN K BEER (honoring Kevin's brother) will be available on March 11 (Alan's birthday). Numbers are strictly limited and only available via the Vicious Kitten Records bandcamp page..... and its premium lager in case you are wondering. See you down at the rock n roll bar...
KEVIN K - NEW BOOK !
HEY AUNT HELEN: Livin' Fast On The Road To CBGB
KEVIN K's new book 'HEY AUNT HELEN' is available now at many online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Cost is $20US RRP. Signed copies can be purchased direct from Kevin at kevinkband@aol.comKevin K interview on Austrian Rock radio !
In January 2023 Kevin K was interviewed by Mark David on Austria's Endless Summer Radio program. The hour long interview was amazing and Kevin shared many stories. Songs from the Cadallac Man album copped an airing, along with some others from Kevin's vast catalogue. As the show's spiel states: Kevin K is a true American treasure, and we were so happy to welcome him to our show….this is ROCK AND ROLL RADIO, LET´S ROCK AND ROLL WITH KEVIN K! Indeed !! The show is available for download now.
The world famous Mr. Ratboy was interviewed extensively in September by the Australian Rock Show podcast. Mr. Ratboy has plugged in and played with some of rock n roll’s elite: Sour Jazz, Motorcycle Boy, Pillbox, Bebe Buell, Jeff Dahl, Marky Ramone & The Intruders, Kevin K and Freddy Lynxx to name a few. This is a very cool chat where Mr. Ratboy looked over the new Golden Rat album - and also talked though his amazing rock n roll journey. Dig it! Listen via the player above or click here. Music by: The Golden Rat, Mr. Ratboy, Motorcycle Boy, Pillbox, Sour Jazz, The Saints
The Golden Rat
The whole of the law
new video released
In late November, The Golden Rat (with (with Daigenta Okajima on saxophone) released a stunning new video for the song 'The Whole Of The Law' - taken from their album 'We Got A Right'. The visual for this video are courtesy of Tokyo-based artist Matthias Frey. The Whole Of The Law was originally recorded in 1978 by U.K outfit the Only Ones. The Golden Rat's debut album 'We Got A Right' is an album you need in your collection. Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here
The Golden Rat
We Got A Right (VKR014)
Release date 9 DEC 2022
Tokyo-based duo The Golden Rat are indeed rock n roll royalty. On this wonderful 15 song gathering, Mr Ratboy and Hiroshi Thre Golden Arm run through a selection of songs which influenced their teenagers years. Superb takes of songs by Brian James, The Saints, Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Radio Birdman, Lords of The New Church, Ramones, Mitch Ryder, Heartbreakers and more ! Limited copies available ! Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here
Golden Rat - Album launch Tokyo 29 Oct 2022
KEVIN K
CADALLAC MAN (VKR013)
Release date 4 NOV 2022
Musically, there is no better exponent of catchy power pop than KEVIN K. This is solo album number 33 for KEVIN K and with its consistently strong material, Cadallac Man makes a strong claim as KEVIN K's magnum opus. That's a statement not made lightly considering KEVIN K has been making records since 1978. Limited copies available ! Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here
AUNT HELEN
HEY AUNT HELEN (VKR012)
Release date 5 AUG 2022
Seventies Western NY punk bands-Aunt Helen and the Toys. The first Buffalo punk band to release a single, later morphed into the Toys, opening for national acts and moving to NYC. The Lone Cowboys ensued (two rare tracks here), eventually leading to the Road Vultures and Kevin K Band. Hear the origins of the legend on 'Hey Aunt Helen!' Limited copies available ! Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here
Kevin K & RICKY RAT
Identity crisis (VKR011)
Release date 18 MAY 2021
NYC punk legend Kevin K teams up with the iconic guitar-slinger from Detroit, Ricky Rat (Trash Brats / Dead Boys) on a hard hitting Ramones-like anthem called ‘Identity Crisis’. Taken from their superb 2020 album on Circumstantial Records, Party Store. The first 100 singles come with a bonus Kevin K sticker, so get in quick! Australia: order here | Rest of World: order here