Artist description A five-piece noise band hailing from Northwest Indiana featuring a three guitar (or two guitar and a bass) and drums attack. Specialize in improv and art recordings.

Music Style Art Noise Avant No-Wave Funk Lounge

Musical Influences Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Sinatra

Similar Artists Sonic Youth, Minutemen

Artist History Various members of what would become Catfish Courtesy had been playing instruments on and off for years in such notable local bands as Yellow 5, Shorewood, and the Elmore Herstein Band, but it wasn't until February of 2002 that the band's initial lineup convened. Jason Frey, Tom Kenning, and Phil Skaggs attempted to learn Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" while friend (and Jason's girlfriend) Lindsay Boggs supplied sarcastic commentary on their progress into a nearby four track. With the band's second rehearsal, this state had progressed into Lindsay's official addition to the lineup, providing freeform, improvised verse over the two guitar, crappy drum kit barrage of the boys. On February 18 this resulted in their debut 23 1/2 Hour EP. The band was proud and foisted a dozen or so copies on friends. It was met with little regard, except from friend Nick Empey who was at the time pursuing a solo career while his band Shorewood was on hiatus. When it came time to record a follow-up to their first album, the band remembered Nick's enthusiasm and invited him to join the sessions. The resulting Ride the Jams album contained the modest hits "The Miami Scrapbook" and "What's the World Come To?" Nick joined Catfish Courtesy on a permanent basis. The band recorded the more commercial "Old Stupid" EP in ensuing sessions. Certain tracks veered ever so subtly from the band's noise roots, but most of them wallowed right there. The band rolled tape during 99% of the time it was together, and their second LP, Catfish Courtesy, represented the products of their May 1st, 2002 jam in their entirety. This effort was much more hard-rocking than any of their previous. Soon after, Catfish Courtesy played its first live show to a crowd of about 25. Catfish Courtesy again headed into the studio to record their third LP ?!. It featured many funk-based instrumentals and is a favorite among the band.

Group Members Lindsay Boggs, Nick Empey, Jason Frey, Tom Kenning, Phil Skaggs

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Drums, occasional keyboards, etc.

Albums Ride the Jams, Catfish Courtesy, ?!

Press Reviews "Catfish Courtesy's records are as exciting as their live show - both are utter improvisation, made up entirely on the spot. Intense, often strangely hypnotic, almost always inspired." - Blaine Ohnson, ID Music Times

Location Valparaiso, IN - USA

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