Outside of Kill Lincoln, Philly ska quartet Catbite was one of the very first bands on Bad Time Records. Formed in 2018, Catbite has been putting out their organ-driven power pop/ska hybrid ever since. Their sound is one that’s hard to pigeonhole. At any given time, you’ll hear doo-wop, surf rock, pop, 2 Tone, ska punk, plus I’m sure other styles I’m not smart enough to recognize. Each of their songs are just perfectly constructed tunes filled with layers, melody, and catchy, yet insightful lyrics. Catbite are master musicians, and with their new release Nice One, they’re at the top of their craft.
Today, the band releases their second single off their upcoming sophomore release. The new song, “Bad Influence,” gives off a Stop the Presses meets The Selecter vibe to me. Extremely danceable 2 Tone beat, organs, and a catchy ’60s pop-inspired chorus. Where the first single off the album, “Call Your Bluff” draws more of a comparisons to a Rancid and The Clash ska punk feel, “Bad Influence” slows the tempo down a bit to give you a chance to catch your breathe and dance with your partner.
If you do searches for ska bands on social media, chances are you’ll find a reference to Catbite. The band works very hard to get their name out there and to engage with people across all social networks. With that in mind, they’re all over the place right now promoting Nice One.
Thankfully, they had some time to pay us a visit to share some of their favorite albums with us. Like usual, you’ll also get to read about a few overrated, and underrated albums as well. Keep reading to see what they chose!
Favorite Album
Tim Hildebrand – Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True. It’s the definition of a perfect album. It was recorded in less than 24 hours of studio time, which gave the band no time to second guess anything that they recorded. It’s so spastic and so together at the same time, with a whole new take on pop music.
Brittany Luna – Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers, Bought To Rot. Every gosh darn song on the album makes me wanna scream, dance, cry in the best possible ways.
Chris Pires – Miles Davis, At the Newport, 1958. Personnel: Jimmy Cobb (drums and cymbals), Paul Chambers (bass), Bill Evans (piano), John Coltrane (tenor saxophone), Julian “Cannonball” Adderly (alto saxophone), Miles Davis (trumpet, leader). This… this is jazz.
Ben Parry – Daniel Romano, If I’ve Only One Time Asking. The whole band just rolled their eyes. I’ve finally learned to stop talking about this record ad infinitum, but I will never stop enjoying it. I come from more of a country background than punk, and this record scratches that itch harder than anything. With witty and poignant lyrics, stellar production, some unexpected psychedelic interludes, and killer pedal steel, it’s like this record was made just for me.
Overrated Album
Tim Hildebrand – Cocksparrer. Literally all of it. It just makes me annoyed for some reason.
Brittany Luna – Radiohead, In Rainbows. I feel like people may get mad at me for this! ::Laughs:: Don’t get me wrong, I do love this album, but it’s not the end all be all for me.
Chris Pires – Anything and everything by U2. Fuck that noise.
Ben Parry – The Beatles, The Beatles. Hot take alert – this record(s) sucks. I love the Beatles. I love The White Album. I’m looking at the lyrics poster from the album as I’m typing this, because it hangs on the wall in my production room. But it is one of the most bloated, egotistical, masturbatory works of sound ever pressed onto two whole records.
Underrated Album
Tim Hildebrand – Exploding Hearts, Guitar Romantic. They were the absolute perfect power pop band in my opinion, and then unfortunately, all but one died in a van accident on tour before they could change the world with their music (or spread it beyond the Pacific Northwest).
Brittany Luna – Sugar Ray, 14:59. This album has so many bangers, which I think is a hard thing to accomplish for a lot of artists. Plus, Mark McGrath is actually a nice dude!
Chris Pires – The Loving Paupers, Lines. An amazing record from a DC area band that NEEDS to be played from front to back without skips. The hallmark of a genuinely great record.
Ben Parry – The Evens, Get Evens. I don’t know if anyone knows or cares about this record. I’ve never heard anyone talk about it. I didn’t particularly like the follow-up. But this record is raw as hell, full of catchy hooks, and Ian MacKaye singing catchy hooks is kind of charming and pitiful at the same time? It’s vulnerable, it’s brittle, it’s powerful.