Fortunately since I(Justin) was unable to catch the show in Iowa City on Jan. 26, Matt @ Victory Records asked Jeff Davidson, the singer, our questions.
FLG- I've read that the age range varies more than most bands, how did you guys meet?
Jeff- As of now there is a four year age difference in the band. At one time we had a 30 something in the band, he was Kevin’s (trumpet) music teacher back at school. The way that everyone else met was through friends of friends and playing in other NJ bands together.
FLG- Being different ages does that bring different styles and sounds to the band?
Jeff- I don’t think that age difference matters when it comes to music. I have met a lot of older people that enjoy "younger" music and vice versa. I, however think that music is music, good music to someone maybe bad music to another. Preference in music comes more from experience. Who you have known and respected throughout your life usually influence your opinions.
FLG- I've heard people say they don't like the new Catch 22 because their sound has changed a lot, what do you think? Of course a band's sound is going to change and evolve they always do. There are many recent examples, Blink 182, Rancid, Offspring, Reel Big Fish...etc...
Jeff- We get this a lot. In a way everyone is right. Some of the music has changed. Mind you, however, most people have only heard 13 catch 22 songs. Most of these songs vary in styles, and were basically all written in a small span of time. Just like taste buds change so does personal preference. As I said in the second question, one’s opinions come from who they know and respect. We are constantly meeting new people with new music in their collection. Therefore, our ideas evolve. They never CHANGE they evolve. Some things may work and some things may not. We will always listen to what people want to hear and take that into account when we write songs, but we also will always love what we do. Playing music that we want to play makes us happy, and that is our goal. Another thing that we try to do is separate the live show from the CD. There is more energy at a show, in turn there is more energy on stage so things pick up. Same songs, just done a different way. We will never forget what type of music we were playing a year ago and in two years we won’t forget what we are playing now. We can’t ask people to change with us, but we do ask them to open up and give it a chance.
FLG- How do you feel about the huge stereo type that, "Those guys sold out, now they suck!" I hear it a lot, I think it's kind of ignorant.
Jeff- People do what they do for different reasons, I think it’s pretty crappy to prejudge without knowing the full circumstances. No one except the band knows why they did what they did. What if they owed a lone shark 4 million dollars, and if they didn’t pay it in a year they would be shot. Think about it. I also, think.. if you’re asking what I think selling out is, I would say that it’s changing your ideals for more money.
FLG- Do you ever feel strange about being the only ska band on a predominate hardcore label?
Jeff- NEVER.
FLG- Do you enjoy playing shows in the Midwest? I know we like having bands come through, because it happens rarely.
Jeff- I like playing shows, regardless of where they are, who’s there, how much money we make. Some crowds are more receptive than others, but that’s life. The Midwest is GREAT to us, and that’s the main reason we keep coming back. In fact every tour we have done so far involved the Midwest, and we have done weekend dates specifically to come to the Midwest…so the answer is YES, I love playing shows in the Midwest.
FLG- What would you be doing if you weren't in Catch 22 or never was?
Jeff- I would playing in another band. Making music with other people. It’s something that I have ALWAYS wanted to and something I will ALWAYS be doing.
FLG- Is there any advice to the kids out there trying to start bands?
Jeff- Talk to people. Network. If it wasn’t for networking I wouldn’t have met the guys in this band and I wouldn’t be as happy as I was. And no matter how much you’re criticized or ignored keep going, be happy with what you’re doing.
FLG- Who writes most of the songs for the band?
Jeff- It’s a collaboration of all the members in some way or another. It’s fucked up when people want to know who wrote the lyrics. The lyrics are usually the easiest part. There is more to a song than lyrics. It takes time figure out what comes next in the song...do you wanna throw a change in here?...What type of change...should we use the change once in the song or go back to it. We all talk about those types of things and everyone throws in their two cents about a song. We all listen to each other too.
FLG- What are some of the bands that influenced you to be in a ska/punk band?
Jeff- I have to say, directly, Rob "bucket" Hingley, from the toasters. I wouldn’t be interested in this music if it wasn’t for him. He lives in my town back in NJ. Back in high school (about 7 years ago) my best friend lived next to Bucket. Bucket owned and still does own MOON RECORDS. So, we would go over there and he would gives us free cd’s to spread around the high school. He would take us to shows, he would introduce us to bands. So, I guess I would HAVE to give him most of the credit. A lot of bands have inspired me to be in a band. Most aren’t ska or punk or hard-core, though, because I knew that I wanted to be in a band before I knew what ska or punk was.
FLG- What are some of the bands or types of music you listen to now?
Jeff- I am very into reggae. The great BOB MARLEY is my number one inspiration. I like a lot of dancehall reggae like general levy, red rat, buju banton, all the reggae gold albums, and strictly the best comps. I’m very into the west coast reggae scene, sublime, long beach dub. I like dub reggae. Damn reggae in general. All of it. I also like a lot of punk, and ska punk, and west and south African music. King Sunny Ade is an amazing African guitarist with some kick ass rhythm. Some of the greatest rhythms I have ever heard came and come from Africa. Then there is always rancid and the clash. I don’t so much. I could fill up twenty pages of types of music I listen to.
FLG- What bands have you played with?
Jeff- we’ve played with lots and lots of bands. Our tours , however, have been with Shutdown, Ten Foot pole, Digger, Edna’s goldfish, Mustard Plug, and we have either played back to back shows, a few consecutive shows or we just never stop seeing bands like Agent Orange, The Pilfers, the hippos, rx bandits, midtown, against all authority and a few others.My favorite band that we have played with is probably the Suicide Machines.
FLG- Do you have a most embarrassing moment?
Jeff- I’d say, on stage my most embarrassing moment was in Austin, TX. Ryan (sax) pulled my pants down and my peepers was hanging out of my boxers. I left my pants down, because I wanted to pretend that I didn’t care, but I didn’t know that peeps was peepin the scene.
FLG- What's your favorite song to play at a show?
Jeff- It changes from show to show. What ever songs are most receptive. I’ll remember specific songs from certain shows that went over really well. Usually that’s my favorite song to play that night. I really, really like playing a new song that we have right now called, IT TAKES SOME TIME. I guess, the new stuff is always the best
to play. because there’s a certain excitement in getting to the end to hear what people think about it.
FLG- Well, I appreciate your time. I hope you guys have an awesome show in Iowa City. I can't make it and I'm really disappointed, but my friend is going and taking pictures. So smile, and do some crazy stuff for the camera! Thanks again.
Jeff- Let me just say, THANK YOU VERY MUCH and the IOWA CITY SHOW (last night) was amazing. NO joke, probably the best show on the tour. Very nice people, very receptive, a whole lot of fun. Thanks again. Good luck.
