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My Kind of Cup: Kate’s Acid on Heavy Metal, Identity and What’s Next - (Email Interview) 3/4/26

 



Kate's Acid doesn't dress up what it is. This is old school heavy metal, full stop, with no genre gymnastics, no apologies, no interest in chasing whatever's trendy. Fronted by Kate, whose stubborn refusal to lose the band's name (or its logo) says everything about the attitude behind the music, the band draws a straight line back to the Saxon and Dio era while carving out a name that's unmistakably its own. With a new album landing March 20th, I caught up with Kate over email to talk about the band's origins, its unfiltered approach to the genre, and what's coming next.


Jenny: The name Kate’s Acid doesn’t exactly scream speed metal. Where did it come from, and what does it mean to the band?

Kate: The name comes from the ‘80s band ACID, who were well known at the time. The drummer tried to prevent me from moving forward by claiming the name, but he forgot that I was the one who designed the band’s logo. So he could claim the name, but not the logo. It was easily fixed: I just put my name above the logo, and now it’s Kate’s ACID.

Speed metal isn’t exactly having a mainstream moment. Why this sound, why now?

Kate: Honestly, I don’t think we play speed metal. To me, it’s just old school heavy metal. I grew up with it, and it’s still my favorite kind of music.

What does a Kate’s Acid show feel like for someone who’s never seen you?

Kate: You’ll just have to come find out for yourself.



What does the next chapter look like for the band?

Kate: A few gigs, staying creative, and making new music.

If you could open for anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Kate: I’ve always loved Saxon, Dio, Tygers of Pan Tang, Judas Priest, and many, many more. The classic heavy metal acts, really. That’s my kind of cup.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



(This interview was conducted via email and has been lightly edited for clarity.)

Kate's Acid's new album is out March 20, 2026! And if this conversation is anything to go by, they're picking up exactly where they left off!

Check out my review of HELLBENDER here: Kate's Acid - Hellbender

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