Billy Catfish
lonesome tumblers live in detroit / hamtramck
11.11.06
now up for free listen or free download on this profile
billy catfish (guitar, words)
arlo pickens (guitar, theremin)
scotty karate (baritone guitar)
don thrasher (drums)
derek gullette (bass)
terry bradley (drums)
++++++++++++++++++++++
dayton daily news
By Kris Neises Sat, October 14, 2006, 08:49 PM
With a harmonica wrapped around his neck, a guitar strapped to his back, and a glass of Jamison on the rocks sitting stage right; Wil Cope effortlessly sang somber songs with powerful imagery and range to a relaxed crowd at Canal Street Tavern last Wednesday, October 11th. Cope has mastered the lost-on-a-highway sound that reminds the listener of days gone by.
The intimate rapport that he builds with his audience is why Cope has been a big part of the Dayton singer/songwriter circuit for more than three years. He just released a new full-length cd that he was playing in support of.
Also on the bill Wednesday was a solo Billy Catfish. Without his band, Billy could not let loose as much as usual, but his set still provided the energy of the evening. He played songs for the potheads, cokeheads, junkies, and his friend’s meth lab with a slightly distorted acoustic backdrop. He finished off his set with a cover called The Mailbox Blues and a noisy banjo.
Wednesday was the first of three dates that Cope and Catfish would play together. The two are off to play Columbus and Nashville over the next week.
Visit www.wilcope.com for more info
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
About billycatfish
I lived in Cincinnati and walked the streets like a chickenshit. I had a two-man folk-punk band (Little Billy Catfish & the Sodapops) from 94-96 or so, we released two seven-inches and a cassette. We also had about five reunion shows, one of which was released as "Decade of Indifference." Poppy played drums, and he's now playing with The Story Changes.
Then I had a four-piece garage band (Billy Catfish 3trio) from 96-99 or so. We played regionally and even did a few gigs at motorcycle rallies, basement parties, and Bogart's. Even a show with my hero Hasil Adkins (followed by his performance in my living room around 4am). Chad Hardwick played guitar, Zach Gabbard played bass (now leading the Buffalo Killers) and Dan Allaire was on drums (now with Brian Jonestown Massacre). We appeared on a few compilation CDs but the two albums' worth of material we recorded never got released.
I gave up music for awhile and put on some lighting shoes for Chicago. I did a few experimental/improv gigs at galleries here and there, and my banjo playing was heavily sampled on the Panicsville/Cock ESP release "Last Train to Cocksville". I recorded a soundtrack for a movie that never got released. I did a solo tour and recorded "Red Red Red Red Wine," "Built Up With Walls Of Balsa," "Let Us Go To The Moon!" and did the Open Mic Suicide Tour.
I also figured out the Lonesome Tumblers blueprint (a psychedelic/ experimental folk band currently recording its third album - lonesometumblers.com). That's still my regular band and it currently features myself, Arlo Pickens, Andreas Tyrodimos, Scotty Karate, Mark Zero, Don Thrasher and Ian Kaplan. We've recorded and self-released "Galaxies Infinite" and "Race Music for the Long-Distance Runner."
Then, around '03, I moved to Dayton, Ohio, making the 'Tumblers a band with members in three different states. That's why we don't get to play too often, but we do what we can. Metro Times called us a highlight of Hamtramck's recent Blowout festival.
Throughout all of this, wherever I'm at, I'm always making home recordings, doing show by myself or with the 'Tumblers, and trying to be a good guy. I roast my own coffee for friends and I paint watercolor portraits.
Upcoming solo performances will feature an acoustic guitar, a drum machine, a synthesizer and a weirdo harmonica. And weirdo me.
