What has happened to the days where bands made their mark with
conviction and angst instead of fashion and gimmicks? Amidst call of the
neon colored, mid-tempo, cookie cutter nonsense, The Catastrophe
thrives on delivering up-tempo in your face melodic punk rock that has
almost been long forgotten.
Combining heartfelt lyrics, shredding guitars and soaring
harmonies it’s obvious that these four haven’t forgotten their roots.
Their love for the 90’s “Fat-Wreck” punk bands has never wavered and
they can prove it with their sound.
The Catastrophe was formed in late 2008 when singer/guitar player Aaron
Horrell(Five O’Clock Charlie), drummer Pj Caruso(Punchline) and bass
player Dane Weir(A Week In July) decided to get together and write songs
to pass the time. Once they decided this was heading in the right
direction, they decided it was time to add another guitar player to get
the ball rolling. Aaron got ahold of his guitar solo ripping friend Lou
Swidowski to play lead guitar and The Catastrophe was born.
Their first show was in late Nov. of 2008 when they rushed their songs
along to play a benefit show for a long time friend that was seriously
injured in an automobile accident.
Soon after becoming established they were opening shows for touring
bands such as Strung Out, Flatliners, Guttermouth, Misfits, The Swellers, I am the Avalanche and Pittsburgh’s own Anti-Flag. In July of
2010 The Catastrophe was awarded a slot on Pittsburgh’s stop of the
Van’s Warped Tour after winning a contest sponsored by Ernie Ball. The
guys are continuing to write their own songs as well as paying homage to
the bands that brought them to where they today by learning several
cover songs that people haven’t witnessed live since the days of Club
Laga.