Catbite is a four-piece ska-punk band from Philadelphia with a refreshing and retro twist on the sound. I originally heard their track “Scratch Me Up” on What Do You Know About Ska-Punk’s Volume 4 and, in addition to my appreciation for them staying on-brand with the theme of cats, really enjoyed that they delved into the ska-punk genre in such an evocative and stylistic way. I immediately questioned why their music has not been used in a Scooby Doo remake yet. Seriously, go listen to “Midnight Eyes” off of their recent self-titled album and tell me you can’t imagine the Scooby Doo gang running away from ghosts and ghouls, I’ll wait! The album itself is so wonderfully made, flowing from dreamy tunes like “Already Gone” to songs that make you want to do that picking-up-loose-change-from-the-ground dance with “Come On Baby”. Catbite brings us a sense of nostalgia and jubilation that we never thought could be tapped into, and it is here to stay. I cannot wait to see what is to come with this band!
I had a chance to talk with Catbite and asked them about their influences, their style, and of course their favorite snacks. Read on to see what they said below!
Band: Catbite
Members:
Brittany Luna, Tim Hildebrand, Chris Pires, Ben Parry
Band Social Media:
http://www.facebook.com/catbiteband
http://www.instagram.com/catbiteband
http://www.twitter.com/catbiteband
linktr.ee/catbiteband
Where can we find your music:
Spotify
Apple Music
You can also pick up a copy of our debut record and support some great local record shops at Repo Records and Creep Records in Philly or War3house 3 in Swarthmore, PA!
Established:
Approximately May 2018!
Kinda funny story here actually. Brittany and I had started working on songs and reworking some songs into a ska style that we liked, then got our friend Johnny in on it as well to play bass. We wanted our bestest friend Chris to do it but he was in like 5 other bands. We went through 2 almost drummers but could barely get through a practice. Sooo I did the most reasonable thing and booked studio time and our first show 🙂 Eventually we convinced Chris to show up and learn the songs in the studio the day that were recording our first demo in May 2018.-TIM
Describe yourself in a few sentences or less
Catbite is what you get when you combine 4 really good friends that happen to play 4 different instruments pretty decently, enjoy singing fun songs together, and also share a love for soooo many types of music. When explaining our “genre” or what we sound like, I usually say something like: “We’re a ska band. But hear me out, It’s like if Elvis Costello and the Attractions did their best to make a poppy and dancy 2-tone ska record, except Mr. Costello actually sounded like Amy Winehouse and was prettier.“ –TIM
What is your process for music writing?
Usually it starts with lyrics from Brit, and then the two of us kind of map out some good chords and a basic melody and record it on like a phone. Then I overthink it a bunch and eventually put together a super bare bones demo with like guitar and vocals and fake Garage Band Drums before sending it out to everyone to get their opinion. It goes from being an idea into becoming a real song when the four of us just kinda play it over and over, trying different things each time until something cool is born. -TIM
What inspires your music and overall aesthetic as a band? Musical influences, genres, cats, all of the above, etc?
I feel like I have a whirlwind of styles, influences, artists and musicians that I love. As a vocalist and a vocal jazz major, I definitely have a huge love for that classic old sound and style of singers like Blossom Dearie, Billie Holiday and Chet Baker. Which is probably why I am most inclined to write a love song or song about love lost. As far as aesthetically, I love a mix of mod, punk and grunge but with pops of color. I think all of us have a great sense of style where everyone gets so be an individual but it relates well throughout! –BRIT
I feel like we all have such an varied and eclectic taste in music, but all of us also love and grew up playing ska/ska adjacent music, that it is reflected both in our music and personal style(s), whether it’s obvious or subtle. As far as musical influences: Captain Geech and The Shrimp Shack Shooters, Freddy Fredrickson, Diane Dane, The Vicksburgs, The Chantrellines… really any of the Playtone Records stable of artists…. Oh and Del Paxton, especially his “Live at the Philadelphia Jazz Junction” record. – CHRIS
As a band, we are all over the place as far as influences, and that’s what really gives us our sound. Personally, I grew up listening to punk rock, getting my start from the Hellcat Records “Give Em The Boot” comps in high school, which led to more modern traditional ska and reggae bands like The Slackers and Aggrolites, which eventually led me to the Trojan Box Sets which was packed with amazing music coming from Jamaica in the 60’s and 70s. Also a huge influence is the late 70’s UK punk and mod and power pop music such as The Clash, The Jam, Elvis Costello, etc. All of this is what has influenced my guitar playing and songwriting, as well as my aesthetic I think. I also really like cats and dogs and all other fuzzy animals, they make me happy 🙂 – TIM
What has been your most memorable moment performing your music?
We were playing a huge show in NJ opening for Goldfinger and Suicide Machines and more, and during a break in The Suicide Machines set, the singer, Jay, stopped to mention how good we were, and then started singing the chorus of one of our songs. I almost pooped myself, it was so cool. –TIM
Skanksgiving was definitely a top contender for most memorable for me but I have to say my number one moment is when we played Bluebeat at The Wonderland Ballroom in D.C. The crowd was so into it but there was specifically one person who sang every single word of pretty much all our songs and I was in shock. I literally thought to myself “people are actually listening to our music!” Hahah it was the best feeling in the world. – BRIT
In addition to both of the aforementioned shows, I personally feel like one of the best shows/experiences we’ve had as a band was getting to play/be a part of last year’s FEST 18 in Gainesville, Florida. Not only did we get to see a bunch of rad bands all weekend(The Bronx/Mariachi El Bronx, Against Me, Gouge Away, Tsunami Bomb just to name a few), we had a blast hanging and playing a show with our good friends/label mates Kill Lincoln as well as Skatune Network, S.M.N., and Gainesville residents The Duppies. I very much look forward to when and if we’re asked to come back for another FEST. – CHRIS
Tell me about your self-titled album. What is the story behind it and what did you enjoy most about making the album?
We had been a band for about 7 months at the time when we went into the studio to record our first proper release, our debut S/T album. I am in love with the idea of short and sweet, all killer no filler, ‘leave them wanting more’, etc. And that worked out perfectly because we only had 7 songs and a couple covers. So we went in, recorded all of our songs and a cover. Our really good friend James Reilly recorded us at Panther Pro Studio outside of Philly. We had recorded our very first 3 demos with him at the same place, and had also known him for a long time, so it was a very very chill recording session. Plus, James never listens to ska, so his input really helped us develop our sound and vibe for the record. It was then sent to our friends Esteban Flores and Jonathan Mireles. They are a dream mixing/producing team and made 8 really cool recordings into a very cool record. Then we let Mike Sosinksi (Ska-Dad) at Bad Time Records do the rest! –TIM
Favorite thing(s) to snack on before recording? Before a show?
If I could get some tasty vegan wings any time of the day I’d be so happy. –TIM
We got into some Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos heavily during recording. Also, chips and salsa! – BRIT
Anything new and crazy and exciting we can expect from Catbite in the coming future? What are you most excited to do music wise this year?
We’re doing a really ridiculously cool travel thing in September of this year but I can’t say what it is yet 🙁 We are definitely using this year to really start to get out and tour a lot more than our first 2 years as a band. We’re making it back up to Canada, and finally over to the Midwest, plus this mystery place that we’ll be announcing in the late spring! -TIM
Where can people see you for your next show?
3/20 Ottawa ON – Dominion Tavern
3/21 Montreal QC – Cabaret Fouf
3/27 Philly PA – The Tusk (Our first hometown headlining show!)
3/28 Baltimore MD – Sidebar
4/4 Trenton NJ – Champs (w/ Catch 22)
4/9 Glenside PA – Keswick Theater (w/ English Beat)
4/24 Brooklyn NY – Gutter Bar
4/25 Asbury Park NJ – AP Brewery
5/7 Pittsburgh PA – Mr. Roboto Project
5/8 Ferndale MI – The Loving Touch (w/ Mustard Plug)
5/9 Grand Rapids – Founders Brewing (w/ Mustard Plug)
5/10 Lansing MI – TBA
6/13-14 Hampton VA – Supernova International Ska Festival