Interview with Catwalkblue
by Noah Fowle | (email)
As a Cleveland Funk quintet, Catwalkblue draws on influences that pay homage to a time when rock and roll was new and the freewheeling structure set forth by jazz. After a New York City show at the Mercury Lounge, the five guys, Matt Miller (bass), Eric Selner (keyboard and vocals), Myron Gardener (drums), Keith McKelly (saxophone) and Greg Garwood (guitar) dished on their burgeoning music career from looming in the shadows of the rock and roll hall of fame to, what else, groupies. While they each draw on eclectic backgrounds that build upon different segments of Clevelandís underground music scene, they can all agree that Lebron James lives up to the hype. Of course they also have season passes and play at the stadium before every game. They will be returning to New York City later this month.
Coming from Cleveland, is it intimidating to have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in your backyard, or does that serve as inspiration?
ES: Itís funny, everywhere we go thatís usually one of the first questions. Itís really not that big for us 'cause it's there all the time. Itís like if you ate pizza everyday you know? No big deal. Of course itís a dream. But a pipe dream. Ý
GG: The Hall of Fame is an extreme inspiration. The greatest archive of all time is right down the street from us. Itís intimidating at first. Iím not saying weíre big time, but weíre coming to terms with it and figuring out where we fit in. Ý
You guys are a young band-- do you already have groupies?
ES: We wouldnít just keep doing this if we didnít. They get better the bigger the city it is. Theyíre pretty good in Cleveland. Real good in Chicago, and New York City has to be the best. But surprisingly, Pittsburghís got some good groupies too. Ý
MG: Weíve got a lot of support. Ý
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Does Lebron James live up to the hype?
MM: Absolutely. He is the real deal. Period, you can quote me. Ý
KM: Heís just going to get better and better.
You guys have played in a lot of venues. What do you prefer, indoors or outdoors?
GG: It depends on the crowd. But it doesnít get any better than a rock club where the people are just packed in. Ý
KM: It doesnít really matter as long as the vibe is right. Ý
MG: I like the clubs a lot more because itís more intimate. Ý
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What did you guys listen to on your way here from Cleveland?
MM: Well we actually watched a few DVDs. We started with some Brazilian porn. Next we popped in a Bob Marley concert. But we also listened to some Santana. Ý
ES: Well Earth, Wind and Fire are like are ultimate inspirations. We got to work on a tribute to them at the Hall of Fame a while ago. That was amazing. Ý
GG: I wasnít with the guys on the way out here because I flew. So I donít know what they were listening too, but Iím really into John Scofield right now. Ý
Cleveland Steamer, fact or fiction?
GG: Itís been done before. I donít know personally, but it has been done. Ý
MG: I donít know. I guess Iím not hip to that one yet. Ý
What is inherently Cleveland about your band?
MM: The jazz scene in Cleveland is one of the best kept secrets in the U.S. Cleveland's music scene is really depressed right now so there is a huge surplus of talent and thatís an advantage for us. Ý
ES: We are a jazz and funk band. But there is nothing jazzy or funky about Cleveland. So we are bringing it to hard rock with a working class attitude. Ý
MG: Cleveland is at a low point. A lot of the musicians there are underappreciated. Ý
KM: Cleveland bands just have a certain consistency with their intensity. Ý
Do fat chicks give the best head?
GG: I donít know, ask the drummer, but donít write that. Ý
MG: Oh yeah. They do it like they made it up. Ý
MM: Hell yeah, they got to work for it. Ý
For more information about the band, go to Catwalkblue.com.