Artist description "Rockability." For THE KATIES, thats the name of the game. One listen to the self-titled debut album makes it clear that this trio from Murfreesboro, TN has no shortage of ‘rockability.’ Described by a music critic from The Tennessean as "what would happen if Nirvana, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin had ever jammed together." THE KATIES do justice to what, for most bands, would be an absurdly lofty comparison. They bring together the raw energy, pop craft and thunderous power of those legendary groups. Its quite simple - these guys live, breathe, eat, drink, think, sleep and bleed rock. Twenty-four year-old guitarist and vocalist Jason Moore, his drum pounding 20-year-old brother Josh, and 23-year-old bassist and vocalist Gary Welch came together in the typically haphazard way that characterizes the best bands. Jason and Gary had come to Murfreesboro from Knoxville, TN and Slidell, LA, respectively, to join the Recording Industry program at Middle Tennessee State University. As Gary explains, "A lot of musicians move to Murfreesboro for the program, quit when they find out its BS, but stay in town - which ends up making for a pretty cool scene, since there are so many musicians." Jason and Gary had been playing separately ("Playing shit," chuckles Gary), when they were introduced. After Josh graduated from high school, he joined Jason in Murfreesboro and began drumming for the band. Band favorites and influences range from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin to AC/DC ("probably the greatest real rock band ever," says Gary -- and he has Angus Young’s sneering face, circa Highway To Hell, tattooed on his right bicep to show he means business). For Jason, it was "my older brothers stuff -- Led Zep, southern rock, Skynyrd. My dad liked The Eagles, Zeppelin and Three Dog Night, and I got into The Beatles when I was 18, which changed my world." Not only is Murfreesboro a college town of 60,000 and crowded with musicians, it’s also the home of a young, but notable independent label, Spongebath Records. The label has evolved into a hub of activity and guidance for the local scene and across the nation, with their biggest success so far being Self, whose newest album Spongebath released through Dreamworks. Gary explains, "Before we had officially become THE KATIES, we had approached Rick [Richard Williams] at Spongebath and he told us we weren’t ready yet and needed to develop. He said we would keep in touch with each other. Josh joined the band and they became THE KATIES. We recorded some demos, played a ton of shows, and decided to put out a record on our own. After a show one night, our friend Brian Carter, who helped us with our demos, was having a party. By coincidence, Rick was there and heard the demos and signed us. He really kept his word." Richard enlisted producer Joe Baldridge and recorded The Katies. This led to Spongebath and Elektra forming a co-label deal. The Katies is a potent, satisfying mix of guitars that jangle and crunch, melodies and harmonies that get you singing along before you even know it, and rhythms that somehow manage to sound tight and ragged at the same time. From the stomping, anthemic "Noggin’ Poundin’," to the furious pace and colossal riffs of "Tappin Out", and the emotionally urgent "Shisiedo," THE KATIES show that they can be melodic without being too sweet, and they can completely rock out without losing any subtlety. All three of THE KATIES write. Lyrically, favorite topics include women (their wives, in particular -- Jason and Gary are married); God; and subjects such as those mentioned in the song "Shes My Marijuana." The first single, "Noggin Poundin," is about all the stupid things Gary did while wooing his now-wife. "She was a real challenge," he explains, to Jason’s and Josh’s merciless heckling. "We lived together before we dated. I wanted to marry her, and I persisted. I didnt date much before her, so I said all the wrong things, did all the wrong things and drove her crazy." The God songs include "Shisiedo," "Shower" and "Jesus Pick," which Jason describes as "a conversation between me and God." Though they now arent religious in a day-to-day way, all three members were raised in church, and Garys father is an ordained minister and deacon. Ther’s certainly no mistaking the band members southern origins once you hear them speak, but on the surface, the album doesnt fit the popular notion of the "southern rock" sound. "We made a conscious effort to put out a pop record," says Jason, "but even so, I do think the album has a southern feel to it. Being southern gives you justification to swagger it out when you play, especially live. Theres just something weird about the south, about growing up there. Its not as open. So much is right or wrong. So when youre rockin, youre fighting to rock. Theres something to fight against, so we feel, if were gonna go, were gonna go all the way, tearin it up." Josh, the quietest of THE KATIES, chimes in, "Are we really that southern? We dont sound like it." The band brings that attitude to their stage show. "Playing live is where its at," says Jason. "As we go on, it will always be about the show, and the records will always be about trying to capture that energy." Gary adds, "If you show people that you like the music youre playing and having a good time and youre glad youre there, the audience will like it, too. We get off on putting on a good rock show. There arent that many real rock shows, anymore." THE KATIES are aware how lucky they are to be doing this for a living, they arent shy about it, and their awe and enthusiasm is infectious. "All we want to do is write good songs," Jason says, "with good melodies, and with some real rockability to them. We want to draw people in with the pop sound, then rock out. Wed be doing it whether you pay us or not." Gary sums up, "We can honestly say were paying our dues, driving five hours for shows that barely pay, playing til we fall down tired or drunk or both. If anyone deserves a shot at the rock title, were putting in our time. We’re doing all we can."

Music Style Rock and Roll!

Musical Influences Nirvana, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, The Eagles

Similar Artists Nirvana, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin

Artist History Please go to thekaties.com for complete history.

Group Members Jason Moore, Josh Moore, Gary Welch

Albums The Katies

Press Reviews Please go to thekaties.com for press reviews.

Additional Info Buy Katies t-shirts, posters and stickers at raretshirts.com!

Location Murfreesboro, TN - USA

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