| Whatever happened to Babes In Toyland?
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HOTPRESS MAGAZINE
What Ever Happened To ... ?
BABES IN TOYLAND
Babes In Toyland sold more than a million albums, were the subject of a book and helped create the whole Riot Grrrl Movement. So what happened? Why did it all fall apart? Zolton Zavos speaks to guitarist and vocalist, KAT BJELLAND!
"First of all I have to confess that I was not aware of Babes In Toyland selling more than 1 million records. How cool is that? Babes In Toyland didn't fall apart. The band simply ran its course. We had a couple of hiatuses and the obligatory reunion shows. We had been together for over ten years. I think to successfully evolve as a person, you have to realise it's good to move on to try new alleys and crossroads. I always feel its better to leave the floor with people still hungry for ya."
"We are all on amicable terms with each other and speak occasionally. My main focus has been being a good mother to my beautiful six year old son Henry. I have been constantly writing and doing other projects. Lori is playing in a band called Koalas and works a few jobs, one being a DJ. Maureen lives in Chicago and is a mother of a little girl and is writing. Michelle lives in New Orleans and probably excels in whatever she gets into. She escaped Hurricane Katrina in a U-Haul with her dog only to return to help with the less fortunate hurricane victims".
WHAT ARE YOUR STRONGEST MEMORIES OF THAT TIME?
"Let's see... playing in Lublijana. Yugoslavia on the verge of the war in Slovenia. We played that night, then afterwards we all went out drinking with local fans with casual impending doom in the air. I swear to God, the air was eerie. Imagine tanks at all fo the motorway crossings. And young soldiers on guard every few blocks all over the city. Not exactly what we were used to in Minneaplois. Stupid, stupid fucking wars... always.
ANY GIG YOU LOOK BACK ON AND CRINGE?
"Yes, a gig we played down South in Norman, Oklahoma. Wayne from the Flaming Lips was there to witness it. We were on tour with Faith No More and the crowd didn't want to hear us so they chanted 'Faith No More' so loud our sound was almost dronwed out, then proceeded to rip up the flooring, light it and throw it directly at us while we tried to "entertain them".
WAS THERE A REAL HIGHLIGHT THAT YOU CAN PINPOINT DURING THOSE FRENTIC TIMES?
"All the live gigs were highlights. Playing Reading Festival with Sonic Youth and Nirvana and on the same day getting interviewed by the most gracious man in radio, John Peel... and getting to tell Dave Kendal [of then MTV fame] to fuck right off on camera in front of a tent-full of bands and fans."
ARE YOU HAPPIER NOW THAN YOU WERE THEN?
"That's hard to know. I was happy doing what I was doing then and glad to be doing it then. I am happy now doing music that isn't exactly the same as Babes In Toyland but still heavy as hell. No touring so extensively is something that I have to admit I appreciate, because it allows me to spend time with my family mainly. I am ready and excited to play live now though".
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