Interview by Ali Williams
There are band names that require an explanation. Then there is CATPISS, a name that mostly requires people to stop laughing long enough to ask the question. For Newcastle guitarist Jacob Dewberry and his bandmates, there was no tortured artistic manifesto behind it. Their drummer found inspiration in the deeply intellectual halls of Facebook meme culture, where a collection of stupid band names provided the necessary spark. Somewhere in that nonsense, CATPISS was born.
Jacob’s grandmother isn’t a fan of the name but that probably confirms they made the right choice. Names aside, CATPISS have plenty worth paying attention to, particularly with the Newcastle punk outfit heading to Brisbane for BIGSOUND, where they will join a substantial crop of Australian artists getting the chance to show exactly what they can do in front of audiences, industry and anyone prepared to sacrifice sleep for several days of live music.
For Jacob, simply making the BIGSOUND cut still feels slightly ridiculous. “It’s massive,” he admits. “I can’t believe that we got through for it, really.” The disbelief is genuine, but CATPISS haven’t wandered into the opportunity by accident. Four years of playing, writing, releasing music and putting genuine effort behind the band has built them steadily from a fairly loose beginning into something with considerably more weight behind it.
The story began around vocalist Heath’s 21st birthday, when he decided a live karaoke night sounded like a reasonable way to celebrate. He jumped up with another band, enjoyed himself and arrived at the obvious conclusion that they should simply start one of their own. Thus, through the power of beer, birthdays and questionable karaoke-related decision making, CATPISS entered the world. Their early material landed firmly in punk territory. Jacob describes their first EP as straight punk rock and roll, written largely because it was fun to play. That uncomplicated enjoyment has remained one of the band’s central principles.
“It’s always been about the energy for us,” he explains. That comes through in the way Jacob talks about their shows. CATPISS don’t appear particularly interested in standing perfectly still while demonstrating their technical credentials to six blokes studying the fretboard. They get on stage to enjoy themselves, and importantly, the audience can see it.
For a punk band, that relationship with the room is everything.
Their recorded history so far includes the brilliantly titled Blood, Sweat, and Beers EP, followed by their latest single Taste the Piss. Nobody can accuse these men of abandoning a theme halfway through. Behind the colourful titles is a band taking the business of being independent seriously. CATPISS remain unsigned, with Heath and Dylan particularly active in handling promotion and keeping the band visible online. It is work Jacob clearly respects, because releasing music without putting any effort behind it is currently a very efficient method of ensuring six relatives and one confused bot hear your new single.
Once the BIGSOUND dust settles, CATPISS already have more music moving. Several new singles are being worked on, continuing the heavier direction that has gradually entered their sound. There is also the small matter of Piss Fest, their own end-of-year show where CATPISS gather their mates together for a multi-band celebration whose title once again suggests the marketing committee understands its assignment.
For more information about BIGSOUND and tickets head to wwwbigsound.org.au
