We had the pleasure of covering the final show with Katastro and some friends out at Marquee Theatre. We also were able to get in a few interview questions with the band from the beginning to the future.
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When first starting Katastro where did you see the band going? Also, did you think you would last this long?
I don’t think we could have ever imagined it would last this long, but at the same time we realized pretty early into our career it was something we all wanted to take seriously and pursue long term.
What are some favorite touring experiences that stick out?
Definitely the few times we were lucky enough to play Red Rocks. Those were huge moments for us. But also early on, just 4 best friends traveling to cities we had never even heard of living out of a van.
How did you stay creative while touring on the road?
For the most part, touring would be our break from creating and writing music. So, every time we came back home it was a fresh start and we knew it was time to start working again.
Do any of the members have any pre-show rituals?
It used to be drinking copious amounts of Jameson but we’re pretty vanilla now. We like to isolate ourselves and go over the set a bit and pump each other up.
What is the songwriting process when making new music?
Our process has always been the 4 of us in a room together bouncing ideas off of each other and having fun. It was always a group effort.
What do you think are the hardest challenges starting out as a band back then compared to now?
When you begin touring especially as an opener on a larger tour there’s not much time to get to the next city so driving overnight and not getting enough sleep was certainly a challenge for us at first. Also being okay with eating Subway and Pizza Hut for every meal can be a struggle.
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Personally, I would love to work with Dan Auerbach from The Black Keys.
Where do you guys see yourselves in the next 5 to 10 years, do you wanna stay in the music industry or try something new?
We are unsure about the future but more focused on making sure Andy’s legacy lives on.
Any solo Andy J tracks going to be released?
We don’t have anything planned, but you never know.
I’ve always wanted to know what everyone in the band’s favorite song is? Not just Katastro, but their personal favorite song/group. It’s hard for me because I have so many favorite songs. But just one that sticks out for them the most?
Hardest question ever but I’ve always had an attachment to “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin.
Now that the final album has been released, and you are getting feedback from the fans, which is seemingly positive, what has it been like on the receiving end of that? We know you kept it under wraps for over 2.5 years so to be able to finally share with the world has to be a release of probably good and bad right?
It’s always nice to have positive feedback, but the main motivation for finishing and releasing this album was for Andy , his family, and friends. Whether it was received positively or negatively by the masses was not important. This was something much bigger to us. Of course we owed it to the fans as well, but we really felt Andy’s voice should be heard and this meant much more to us than just any old album release.
What’s next for the rest of the guys in Katastro?
We all have our individual interests and will continue creating music whether it is with each other or not.
We have been curious about the entry point into the reggae-rock scene. We’ve always assumed it was Strange Nights being released on Law Records. We would like to know definitively.
It all seemed to start during our early days of opening up for The Dirty Heads at a local venue in Tempe called The Clubhouse. We began selling tickets to friends and family until we began packing the shows out which is where we were introduced to our current manager Gonzo who was a show promoter at the time. From then on, we started getting more opportunities to play with bands in the scene.
Random questions.
Favorite horror movie?
American Psycho
Favorite food?
Mashed potatoes & tater tots
What music are you currently listening to?
Currently I’ve been listening to Sturgill Simpson’s new album Passage Du Desir.
KATASTRO
Pacific Dub
Mouse Powell
The Irie
Perfect
