CATBITE BAND PROMOTIONAL BANNER | CAPTION BY CHRIS GRAUE
They’re Not Bluffing
Catbite Announces New Album
July 6, 2021 by Adrian Gonzalez
As the music world reemerges from the restrictions of the pandemic, many musicians and bands are excited to show off what projects have been keeping them busy. One such band is Philadelphia’s own Catbite.
Catbite has no shortage of drive and ideas, and will never be content sitting around to see what comes next in music, but rather, they will create it on their own. After all, how can you not love this band… they have a great sense of humor. They even re-worked their song “Scratch Me Up” from their first album to “Pabst Me Up” the day after PBR started following them on social media.
Catbite released their debut self-titled album in 2019, it kicked in the door and barged in as an instant classic in world of ska. Not only has the album been released in its original form, but it’s also re-released in a country format re-titled “Catlite,” and then re-re-released as “Catfite,” a hardcore punk version.
On top of that, Catbite has announced their sophomore album, “Nice One.” Somehow Catbite finds time to record a new album, re-release two new versions of a previous album, and film a new video? Guitarist Tim Hildebrand simply says, “We like to keep busy.” Hildebrand admits he is 100% the one to come up with the ridiculous ideas adding, “Luckily everyone trusts me.”
Hildebrand says the success was unexpected, he said “We were hardly a band when we wrote and recorded our first record,” adding, “We absolutely didn’t expect the response we got.” This response on the first album put pressure on the band to make an album at least as good, if not better. With the writing process Hildebrand states, “Personally I was in my head a lot about every song.” Hildebrand attributes the band’s amazing checks and balance system that “keeps bad songs out.”
CATBITE BAND PHOTO by CAITY MACLEOD (Flicker + Film Photography
In true Catbite fashion, this album is written with the possibility of changes and redo on songs. “I’ve always been a fan of writing songs to have different versions and we definitely plan on doing that with some of these songs,” says Hildebrand.
The ever-evolving Catbite will continue to challenge themselves and stay busy. Hildebrand adds, “We’re a four-piece ska band, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a full horn section and five-part harmonies.” Catbite is eyeing the future and is champing at the bit to go out and play these songs live. “We were just about ready to start touring after being a band for two years, then the pandemic hit.” Catbite promises a good chunk of stuff lined up for the fall and even more for 2022.
Catbite’s new album, “Nice One,” will be released on August 6th with pre-orders being accepted now, and its first single, “Call Your Bluff,” available everywhere you get music.
CALL YOUR BLUFF | VIDEO BY CHRIS GRAUE
Along with the single release, Catbite has released a video filled with ska cameos, including members of Louser, Bite Me Bambi, Half Past Two, and We Are the Union.
Check this album out, it is definitely a good one!
Tracklist 1. Asinine Aesthethic 2. Call Your Bluff 3. Excuse Me Miss 4. Not Ur Baby 5. Stay 6. Creepin 7. Bad Influence 8. TV Screen Beauty Queen 9. Bidi Bidi Bom Bom 10. Lipstick Lines
