OK. So while Ryan from Muzzle Of Bees is away for the week, I’ll be guest posting over at his marvelous site from time to time. And since I am always pressed for time this is posted (in slightly different formats) at both places. Deal with it.
Although I can only speak for myself, one of the highlights of last weekend’s Lollapalooza festival for both Ryan (see above) and me was watching Catfish Haven’s exuberant performance early on Sunday. The Secretly Canadian website states:
“Like Otis sweating out ‘Pain In My Heart’ or Marvin begging ‘Please Stay’, Catfish Haven are amongst few bands that can command a stage; keep a crowd up with a high energy live performance and still deliver such heartache.”
So true. There were probably 100 people watching Catfish Haven when they began their set, but (by my estimation) there were over a thousand by the end. George, Miguel, Ryan, and company ripped through both new and old songs with punk rock energy and Motown soul. It was like Otis Redding singing Ramones songs. All comparisons aside, fucking amazing is exactly how I would describe it.
The band has a great new record called Tell Me that is ragged and raw yet somehow refined. Less up tempo than their awesome Please Come Back EP, the album is energetic Americana that is fueled by George Hunter’s smoky and soulful vocals. Modern classics that are channeled through the sounds of The Jam, the Kings of Leon, and Sam Cooke. Tell Me will be out on Secretly Canadian on September 12th, with a record release show four days later (9/16 for the math-impaired) at Chicago’s Double Door. Both Ryan and I fully endorse Catfish Haven. Hard to describe but easy to love. We suggest you see them live, pick up their records, and become their friend on Myspace.
MP3 | Catfish Haven – Crazy For Leaving Tell Me
MP3 | Catfish Haven – Please Come Back Please Come Back EP
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Guest blogging? Hell yes!
i need a permanent guest blogger on my site, since i barely blog.