Bonsai Kitten

Bonsai Kitten

Bonsai Kitten is a German psychobilly group, also described by the band as a “killbilly” act. It forms around singer Tiger Lilly Marleen, who founds the project in Berlin in 2004. By 2005 the line-up is complete with Marleen, Hajo-Sun on guitar, Alexx DeLarge on drums and Krczycz on double bass. The group’s membership is also associated with Tiger Lilly Marleen, Heiko Schramm and André “Wally” Wahlhäuser.

Style and approach

The band combines new punk, rockabilly and psychobilly, presenting the result as a melodic mix that it calls “killbilly”. Its performances feature fast arrangements and vocals from Marleen’s husky alto.

Career

Bonsai Kitten quickly attracts attention after forming, playing numerous shows across Germany and appearing as support for acts including The Accidents and Battle of Ninjamen. It also shares stages with Mad Sin and Demented Are Go.

The group releases its self-titled debut album in 2007 on the Japanese label On The Hill. The record sells well in Japan and Germany, and the band is invited to psychobilly festivals including Satanic Stomp, Rock My Ass, Kings of Psychobilly, Wild Wild East and Bunkerbilly Festival in Austria.

In 2007 the band supports Mad Dog Cole on his solo-album tour. During 2008 and 2009 it continues touring through concerts, festivals and radio sessions with interviews and features.

Recordings and collaborations

Bonsai Kitten opens for The BossHoss, Dick Dale and King Kurt on their European tours. It also collaborates with Köfte DeVille of Mad Sin on a duet version of “Done With Hell”. In 2010 Tiger Lilly Marleen sings the intro to Mad Sin’s album Burn and Rise.

The group’s second album, Done With Hell, appears in 2011 on Wolverine Records, followed by a limited vinyl edition on heavy yellow vinyl.