Catch 22

Fall '97 in New Jersey: Tomas Kalnoky, Chris Greer (who played in a band named Gimp) and Kevin Gunther (trumpet) meet at a disquaire and decide with the help of Jamie Egan (trombone), Ryan Eldred (sax) + other passenger musicians (including Josh Ansley: bass), to form Catch 22 (according to Joseph Heller's book). their first successful Rule Of The Game demo, our Lascars are looking for a label. At the end of the year '97, the boss of Victory Records falls on their demo and appreciates it, so that 2 weeks later the band is officially part of the Chicago label. Keasbey Nights comes out in '98 walking very hard, positioning itself in the top 10 of the label's best sales at the time. This reputation allows them to shoot in all the United States and it is after this experience that singer/guitarist Tomas Kalnoky decides that the tours are not for him and leaves the band. Jeff Davidson (chant, ex-The Derringers) and Pat Kays (bass) come on stage... The year '99 saw many tours (including Ten Foot Pole) and the release of the 4 tracks Washed Up. A year later, before recording Alone In A Crowd, the combo acquired a trombonist in the person of Ian McKenzie (ex-Edna's Goldfish). Just before the first European tour (spring '01), Jefferson 'walks the ship' and Pat Kays will take the place in front of the microphone. Washed Up Through The Ringer recaptures the songs of Washed Up + unreleased, b-sides, bonuses, live etc., which doesn't appeal to fans of the band who see it as a marketing manipulation. That said, that doesn't prevent the band from shooting intensively everywhere and landing before writing their latest album Dinosaur Sounds, always for Victory. This album marks a musical turn in the band's career, which leaves its ska/punk roots somewhat behind.
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