catl

catl is “one of the most exciting blues band on the Toronto scene for years” (Tim Perlich, NOW Toronto, Jan 22-29, 2009), creating an original blues sound that’s been described as “raw,” “primordial” and “warped.” Given their history of punk-influenced rock ‘n’ roll (catl in Pecola; drummer Andrew Moszynski in the Deadly Snakes and Quest For Fire; and Sarah Kirkpatrick in Shitt Hottt), such descriptions come as no surprise.

“The hypnotic boogie-blues troupe hasn’t wowed the traditional blues crowd, which is a rather odd development given that the trio’s gutbucket style is quite rooted in the old electric traditions of Hound Dog Taylor or Junior Kimbrough. It’s rugged dance music though, which is an endearing factor to Catl’s younger, more athletic audience but a perhaps a problem with fans more sedate. “ Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail, Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 

catl, “Gold Tooth Shine.” Finally caught up with catl in its new incarnation with drummer Andrew Moszynski on Sunday night at the Dakota Tavern and was relieved to see that life goes on without founding skinsman Johnny LaRue behind the kit. The present-day catl is a rather more swaggering, rock-’n’-roll kinda animal than it was, as Moszynski proved a much more booming and propulsive presence than his tactfully minimalist predecessor. The new material brought a sizeable amount of ZZ Top-esque boogie to the Toronto trio’s hip-pleasing scuzz-blues, suggesting we might be in for a few surprises when catl’s third LP, Soon This Will All Be Gone, drops on April 13. To whet fans’ appetites in the meantime, catl has graciously posted a teaser single, “Gold Tooth Shine,” on Soundcloud, and it’s a perfect representation of the band’s grimy, Delta-derived juke-joint party music. Ragged, raucous, irresistibly raunchy rhythm ‘n’ blues in the classic sense. Keyboardist Sarah Kirkpatrick is now firmly ensconced on the mike as a vocal foil to guitarist/growler Jamie Fleming, too. - Ben Rayner – Toronto Star, Jan 22, 2012

“These Torontonians’ rough-hewn scuzz-blues joints and pained acoustic laments make you wanna gulp down a 26er of Wild Turkey, sweat buckets and put your fist through something. Unhinged fun.”
– Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

Apprenticing at the ghost hand of Mississippi Fred McDowell, catl (songwriter, guitars, vocals) favours a ’40s Gretsch Electromatic played through a vintage Fender Twin, and sings through a low-end mic wired to an old Ampeg amp. With Andrew Moszynski on drums and Sarah Kirkpatrick hammering the organ, catl serves up a stripped-down sense of simmering urgency. No fancy bells or whistles, catl is a juke-joint party that’ll lift you up like a Sunday morning sermon in the swamp. Montreal’s Mirror said catl “bring the smash and bash of true juke-joint blues while packing in a fair heaping of the good Captain Beefheart’s sense of dementia.”

“¿Adónde Vas?–‘A Ningún Lado” was catl’s debut collection of ten beer-soaked blues rave-ups which Toronto’s eye weekly described as “whiskey soaked swagger of the deep south laced with some balls-to-the-wall bite.”  Their sophomore LP, “With the Lord for Cowards You Will Find No Place” (taken from the lyrics of a Carter Family song), was also applauded and made Top 10 lists here in Canada and the US.

Instrumentation:

Jamie Fleming (aka catl) – Vocals, suit, Guitar, fisticuffs
Andrew Moszynski - Drums and Bourbon
Sarah Kirkpatrick – Vocals, shakin’ around, Percussion, organ

Discography:

With the Lord for Cowards You will Find No Place / Folkbrand Records (LP w/ CD 2010)
¿Adónde vas? A ningún lado” / Folkbrand Records (LP with CD incl./ 2009)