Vicious Kitten Records


Vicious Kitten Records is an independent Australian record label founded in 1999 by brothers Colin and Denis Gray. Based in Canberra, the label earned a reputation for championing underground punk, garage rock, and rock and roll artists from both Australia and overseas.
Formed after the demise of the music fanzine Vicious Kitten—also launched by the Grays—the label helped to spotlight cult musicians and lesser-known acts, especially those in the punk and underground rock scenes. In the early days of the label, a print newsletter titled Cat Scratch Fever was also produced. Copies of both Vicious Kitten fanzine and Cat Scratch Fever are held with The National Library of Australia.
The launch of the label was mentioned by journalist Vince Lovegrove in his UK-based news column Lovegrove's Ear On London.
After a hiatus of several years, during which the brothers focused on music blogs and producing The Australian Rock Show podcast, the label was relaunched in 2021.
In August 2023, the Gray brothers were interviewed on the *Endless Summer* radio show broadcast on the FREIRAD station in Austria.
Notable artists on the label include Kevin K, Nikki Sudden, The Ballbusters, and The Golden Arms.
The label is also included in the Wikipedia page List of record labels: R–Z.

Notable Releases

Among the label’s most significant releases are:
  • Red Brocade by Nikki Sudden
  • Tonight We Ride! – a bootleg live album featuring Hitmen DTK with guest guitarist Deniz Tek. For the week beginning 11 March 2024, the album debuted at No. 7 on the 100% Independent Albums chart published by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The long-lost recording was unearthed and officially released by Vicious Kitten Records in 2024. It received positive critical response, including reviews from Loud Mag and I-94 Bar.
  • Rock 'N' Roll War a compilation album released in 2000. The album features a diverse lineup of artists, including The Dictators, Sylvain Sylvain, Deniz Tek, Jeff Dahl, Peter Wells, and Hitmen DTK. A second volume, *Rock 'N' Roll War Volume II*, was released in 2002 through Vicious Kitten USA, a subsidiary label based in Boston, featuring artists such as Cheetah Chrome, Jeff Crane, Walter Lure, Dave Kusworth, The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, Michael Thimren, and The Bullys.
  • Calling from Nowhereland a live album by Pillbox NYC, released in October 2025. It was originally recorded on cassette at The Town Pump and also includes a set of rare 1992 demos. A review on the online music site Veglam noted that Pillbox NYC "was the real deal!"
  • Multiple albums by American underground rocker Kevin K, including Magic Touch, Shadow Work 38, Cadallac Man, 13th Street and Broken.
  • GRRRR!! the second studio album by Melbourne outfit Girl Monstar, who reunited in 2025

    Discography

Cat. No.YearArtistTitleFormat
VKR 0011999Sheek The ShaykI Want Her So Bad7", EP
VKR 0021999Freddy Lynxx & The Corner GangHave Faith7"
VKR 0031999Kevin K BandMidnight Dragon7"
VKR 0041999Nikki SuddenRed BrocadeCD, Album
VKR 0051999Rick Blaze and the BallbustersManhattan BabylonCD
VKR 0062000Kevin KMagic TouchCD, Album
VKR 0072000The Golden ArmsOriental Junk Sick7"
VKR 0082000Various ArtistsRock 'N' Roll War CD, Compilation
VKR 0092001The BallbustersPeople's Republic Of Rock And RollCD, Album
VKR 0102001Kevin K13 StreetCD, Album
VKR 0112021Kevin K and Ricky RatIdentity Crisis7"
VKR 0122022Aunt HelenHey Aunt Helen!CD
VKR 0132022Kevin KCadallac ManCD, Album
VKR 0142022The Golden RatWe Got A RightCD, Album
VKR 0152023Kevin KBrokenCD, Album
VKR 0162024Hitmen D.T.K. with Deniz TekTonight We Ride! CD, Album
VKR 0172024Kevin K and the Bowery KatsRosewoodCD, Album
VKR 0182024The BallbustersKeepin’ Up With The Jones7", 33⅓ RPM, EP
VKR 0192025Kevin K and the Bowery KatsShadow Work 38CD, Album, Digipak
VKR 019LP2025Kevin K and the Bowery KatsShadow Work 38LP, Album
VKR 0202026Girl MonstarGRRRR!!CD, Album, Digipak
VKR 0212025Pillbox NYCCalling from Nowhereland CD, Album, Digipak