Catbite Claws into our Hearts with "Catbite"

Courtesy of Catbite

Philly powerpop ska band Catbite (ex-The Snails/Dull Blue Lights, Posers and The Up Up Ups) sink their teeth into This is Croydon Fest 2 and open for The Slackers before unleashing their debut S/T album on May 7th.

Catbite kicks off with rockin' powerpop ska track "Come on Baby". Drummer Chris Pires and keyboardist Brittany Luna take the helm while guitarist Tim Hildebrand releases a furious solo. The band mellows down on R&B flavored rocksteady tune "Can't Give You Love", which is the latest single that they made a music video for. Johnny Mick lays down one groovy bassline while Hildebrand rocks out on guitar with Luna stealing the show on vocals as Matamoska's Esteban Flores Valenzuela takes over on keys.

Catbite picks it up with their first single, powerpop ska song "Amphetamine Delight". Drummer Pires pounds out the beat as guitarist Hildebrand shreds out the rhythm and slays with a solo while Luna and Hildebrand lay down some killer dual vocals. The album closes out with catchy powerpop ska anthem "Scratch Me Up". Luna throws down some wicked keys with Mick's upbeat bass skills as both Hildebrand and Luna level the jam with some sick guitar and keyboard solos. Catbite is one standout ska album that exceeds expectations with a perfect blend of ska, rocksteady, R&B, rock and even dub, delivered with punk ferocity. Watch out for Catbite as they continue to pounce around the country and into our minds.

catbite.bandcamp.com

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Catbite is playing This is Croydon Fest 2 at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, located at 909 Ray Avenue in Croydon, PA on May 4th and with NYC ska band The Slackers and Philly ska band Ruder Than You at World Cafe Live, located at 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, PA.

~ Garyn Klasek

The Scotch Bonnets Strike on "Come on Over"

Courtesy of The Scotch Bonnets

Baltimore punky reggae rockers The Scotch Bonnets, who've worked with HR from Bad Brains and Roddy Radiation of The Specials, release Come on Over for their ten year anniversary while touring across country.

Come on Over kicks off with sixties R&B-styled ska track "Another Saturday Night", with some impressive saxophone by David Hillyard and Pablo Fiasco's keys standing out, along with a fantastically rockin' guitar solo by Kristin Forbes. The Scotch Bonnets keep the traditional ska flavor going with "Hair Did". This is one tight song between Names Thompson's drums and Dan Breen's bass, as well as the killer vocals of Forbes and MC Selah, plus a terrific sax solo from Hillyard. 

The band simmers down on rocksteady jam "Blank Stare". Breen's bassline and Fiasco's key tickling really sizzle here with a stripped down feel that isn't lacking in the least, with a dub groove standing out on Thompson's percussion and Forbes' guitar. The album closes out excellently on R&B/rocksteady tune "We Can't All Be Astronauts". Fiasco's keys and Breen's bass dominate while the drumming of Thompson and dual vocals set the mood here, whether it's Forbes' sixties harmonies or Selah's dub flair. Come on Over is certainly a top contender (if not the top contender) in a sea of ska albums being released this year. This is no freak occurrence: The Scotch Bonnets might just be what fans are looking for who love the sounds of amazing Jamaican-influenced dynamos such as The Slackers or Hepcat.

thescotchbonnets.bandcamp.com/album/come-on-over

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The Scotch Bonnets play War3house 3, located at 100 Park Avenue in Swarthmore, PA outside of Philadelphia, on May 3rd with Philly Reggae Girls. 

~ Garyn Klasek