Tom Townsend
Shawn Winters
Mike Bock
Rod Romero
Terry Overlin (03-08)
Influences
God. Time. Sleep. Other people. Sometimes caffeine. Bands like R.E.M., Uncle Tupelo (and offspring), Counting Crows, the Heartbreakers, the Eagles, Whiskeytown, Neil Young. Classic songs from the 70's.
Californian alt-country band American Catapult are an act willing to do things their own way, including doing a tour without booking any dates in advance. Formed in 2003 by Mike Bock (lead guitar), Terry Overlin (bass), Tom Townsend (lead singer, guitar) and Shawn Winters (drums, vocals), American Catapult features four veteran musicians with impressive chops as both musicians and songwriters and an eagerness to be heard. AmCat recorded a self-distributed album in 2004, Home of the Brave, which showcased their passionate but down-to-earth roots rock, and it was followed with a 2005 EP, Excess Falling. But AmCat had trouble finding venues interested in their music in Southern California, so they set out on what they called "The Tour of the Brave," in which the roamed the California coast for several days and stopped wherever they could find a crowd willing to hear them play, with locations ranging from a Laundromat to a highway rest stop to an airfield, with a small camera crew recording the adventure for posterity. The stunt helped boost interest in AmCat, and after initially releasing their second full-length album Trees Of Mystery themselves, they signed a deal with the respected independent label Cooking Vinyl, who reissued the set in 2007. American Catapult continues to tour, though usually with shows booked well in advance. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide (Billboard.com)
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American Catapult is a band that truly has the soul of the American landscape running through their veins. Not only does the Southern California quartet play songs which attempt to capture the experience of being young, free, and in the midst of wide open spaces (both geographically and emotionally), but the band has literally brought their music to a wide range of settings which dot the horizons of many who live in the lower forty-eight. The band has professed to having played everywhere from abandoned airfields and rest stops to the local coin laundry. “We have found over time this incredible difficulty in finding decent places to play out,” says vocalist/guitarist Tom Townsend, in a press release. “It became our mission to get out of our little rehearsal space and find an audience, any audience even if that meant playing during the spin cycle at a local Laundromat full of strangers.”
Based on the results displayed on Trees of Mystery , the members of American Catapult have presented these strange and ordinary locales with a straight-ahead, uncomplicated sound that draws from the earthy guitar jangles, country overtones and pop sensibilities of early R.E.M., Son Volt, and even the early-to-mid ‘90s vibe of such radio friendly bands as Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket. The band is secure and strong in their sound, displaying an understanding of what a professional rock and roll album should sound like.
(popmatters.com)
You can still get the 2007 release TREES of MYSTERY at a number of online outlets and record stores nationwide & in Canada, with much thanks to Cooking Vinyl USA.
Hey guys! Check out Kava Kava’s new music video for “Clarity”. We’re really excited about it and the song is awesome! Be sure to check out their Myspace too! http://www.myspace.com/kavakavamusic
Woohoo.. just heard my FAV AMCATS on the Crossroads Show!!! Bob played "Dust and Ashes"... I'm a HaPpY GiRl... How are things going since the Nashville trip...I've been bad about keeping in touch... Drop a note when you can..Wishing you all the best as always... Hugs, Me :)
I like that American Sound you have! Thanks for the add from the band that Believes in, Lives for, and Plays nothing but American Rock, The Brian Conway Band. Long Live American Rock!
Hey there, "My Fav Cats", how are things in sunny CA? I'm excited that Bob is going to feature you again on the Crossroads show (www. kyrs. org) today, Mar. 1st, 1-3 pm PST!!!
Hope things are going good for you guys! Keep in touch...
Hugs,
Me ;)
"The Sandinator"
Thanks for adding "Crossroads" @ KYRS-LP, Spokane, WA. to your pool of friends. By doing so means that you not only support my weekly program but more importantly community radio. Should you find yourself touring in my area please consider being a guest on my show. In the mean time, please listen to "Crossroads" every Sunday from 1-3 p.m. (PST) by logging onto www. kyrs. org or by tuning to 92.3 FM if local.
Hi guys, great to hear from you. Summer here has been a complete wash out, literally :( So were holding out for next year lol Hows things with you all, busy I should imagine which has got to be good. Take care all, Lisa :) x
Just to set the record straight, TOM, you are still my #1 Favorite Cats, no replacing you! Just because I was a rock star for hmmm 5 minutes, doesn't change anything! You know I totally support Independent bands, they are the backbone of MUSIC. And hell yeah, sure hope you make it over this way, The Tractor Tavern would be a nice place to land! Have a great week AM CATS and keep the music flowing from the heart.
Luvs, The Sandinator ;)
P.S. No "Permission" needed this week to "Drink", it's VACATION time! Luvs to you...
Hey Tom. Good to hear from ya, it's been a while. Things are good here thanks, how about for you and the rest of the guys? Ya, actually, I have been working on some new stuff lately. How about you guys, what have you been up to? Any plans to come back out this way anytime soon? Ben
Yep, when they are done, you have my "PERMISSION" to send them on. "NOTHING" I would rather do than take a listen and then use my stamp! ;) Luvs, Me ;)
