Thanks to Adam Hepburn, Chuck at Victory, and Catch 22 for doing the interview.
ESM: Okay, we are sitting here with Ryan(sax) and Jeff(vocals) from Catch 22. Pat should be joining us soon... so, how did the band get together?
Jeff: Umm lets see... it's a long story, alright, we got time.
Ryan: From the beginning?
ESM: yeah.
Jeff: Alright, I guess we'll give 'em the run down.
Ryan: Our old singer and drummer were in a punk band called "Gimp" and then they got some horns. Then me and out trumpet and another horn, different guy, got together and formed "Catch 22" and then went through quite a few members and we are where we are at now.
Jeff: There you go. That's the run down.
ESM: How long has the band been together?
Jeff: I'd say a little bit over 3 years.
ESM: Your album, "Keasbey Nights", includes many different musical styles and you are signed on predominantly hardcore Victory Records. What type of music would you categorize yourself as?
Ryan: American Salsa. No. I dunno?
Jeff: It's different live. Some nights we are punk, some nights we are really ska.
Ryan: I think that's what we pride ourselves by, is not being labeled.
ESM: Can you explain the meaning of your song "Keasbey Nights"?
Jeff: I dunnno. Somebody told me but I don't remember. Ryan, do you know?
Ryan: It's just some kid from the suburbs, like, crazy, crazy, crazy, just like, out of nowhere idea to write a song about guns.
Jeff: (laughing)
ESM: Previous reviews of the band that we've read said that your music is driven by two factors: guns and poverty. How of these factors played into your lives, at all.
Jeff: Wow. Hmm... I think someone else said that and I don't anyone in the band now has said that. (To Ryan) Did you say that?
Ryan: Uh. No.
Jeff: Well cause I don't own a gun and, well actually, the poverty part heh. The truth is we are from the suburbs and, well, guns are cool dude! Heh.
Ryan: Yeah I don't know about the poverty part. I'm so broke I can't even buy a beer! Heh.
ESM: What's the deal with Kristina?
Jeff: Basically the song tells a story, well its true. She actually came to a show. Kevin works at Camelot Records and so does she and he played the song for her. So she came and wasn't really what we had expected so that's that.
ESM: How did the band become involved with Victory Records?
Jeff: Luck really. We sent in our demo tape, "Rules of the Game", to Toy Box Records, a small record label in Florida, they put out a couple of Less Than Jake 7" and then the guy who owns Toy Box works at Victory Records and was playing it in the office. Then person who I guess listens to demos heard it and then batta bing, batta boom.
ESM: Many bands on Victory are sXe oriented. Are any of you sXe or know what is going on with that?
Jeff: That is not true at all. There are no sXe bands on Victory at this moment.
Ryan: Yeah, not at all.
Jeff: Yeah, and for the record, neither are we.
ESM: You are scheduled to play the "Mob Fest" in Chicago, Il.? What other hardcore bands do listen to?
Jeff: the "Mob Fest"? Oh, I don't think anyone is supposed to know about that. I'm not sure... What other hardcore bands do we like? Um... Shutdown, Snapcase...
Ryan: Myself, I'm not really into hardcore, ask Chris that question. I like Refuse.
Jeff: ... Gorilla Biscuits, Hate Breed.
ESM: What plans do you have as far as releases and tours?
Jeff: We are going to tour with a band called the Dingees, they are on Tooth and Nail, we are doing two weeks with them. And we're doing five weeks with Shutdown in July, a bunch of weekend shows.
Ryan: Yeah, in the area.
Jeff: Yeah, and then after that we don't know.
ESM: How has the band coped with the resent line up of changes?
Pat: We think its much better. Don't you?
Ryan: Can we ask you that question?
Jeff: How do we cope? I love it! Yeah, what about you guys?
ESM: Yeah.
Jeff: I think we have more energy now.
Pat: Yeah, definitely. We have a much stronger sound.
ESM: What is your favorite part of Promoting your record and touring?
Pat: Girls, drugs, alcohol. Heh.
Ryan: Heh. Sleeping in the van.
Jeff: Yeah, playing a lot of shows. Whatever, just have fun.
ESM: What is your favorite band you have toured with?
Pat: I guess Ten Foot Pole and Digger would have to be my favorite bands to tour with because I have never toured with any other band.
Jeff: I dunno. Mustard Plug is fucking cool. They once stopped by my work place, not even knowing I worked there, at Borders, and they were real cool.
Ryan: We went on tour with a band called Film Buster, on our first tour and they were just fucking hilarious, awesome guys. The tour wasn't that great though. There were only, like, two people at every show but...
Jeff: Film Buster kicks ass.
Ryan: Those guys fucking rock!
ESM: Who would you like to tour with in the future?
Jeff: Rancid. Aww I dunno. I heard it's really tough to get shows with Rancid but um, I'd fucking love to play with Rancid.
ESM: Who are your main influences?
Pat: I'd have to say every kind of music except for techno and country. Every thing else I'm really into: jazz, hardcore, ...
Ryan: MU330.
ESM: What is your funniest tour story?
Ryan: Woh. There are many.
Jeff: Yeah, I can't think of any...
Pat: Maybe the wheels on the van?
Jeff: ... Oh, the drive shaft is definitely the funniest.
Ryan: Yeah! Heh. It's this big fucking 10' pole from our van and it was rolling down the street and we were chasing after it, and the van wouldn't move. So we had to call this guy to help us.
Pat: Then this one time, Ryan was taking a shit, and our old rodie, Jeff, took a picture of him on the toilet and you can see that on our website. Heh.
Jeff: There were other funny stories. Damn I wish I could think of them... Shit, we suck, I'm out!
ESM: Thanks.
