Cats and the Bottlebank: A Moment Of Reflection

I got talking about one of my favourite bands, Catfish and the Bottlemen, in a job interview last week, and since then, I have been on a journey of nostalgia re-listening to their albums.

Casting my mind back to 2020 - a month before the Covid lockdown happened - I saw Catfish at their War Child gig at Exhibition London. I was still in school at the time, and my English teacher could never remember their name, so referred to them as Cats and the Bottlebank: it has always stuck since.

I feel extremely fortunate that I got to see Catfish before they split and reformed into the lineup they are today. The magic of Jonny Bond: waltzing on stage so unfazed, so chilled out and looking almost lost - yet absolutely acing every guitar solo and infill is something that will always stay with me. A stark contrast in attitude to Van McCann, but both exceptionally talented.

I saw them just after 'The Balance' had been released, which in itself, was a core memory for me. I miss the days of walking into HMV with the intention of buying a highly anticipated album: approaching the door, on the front stand seeing rows of said album - picking up the album, walking to the till while listening to a snippet of your new purchase on the shop sound system, as if soundracking the experience of the purchase cinematically. Getting home, unwrapping the plastic - the new album smell - carefully placing the disc in the player and listening all the way through, staring at the ceiling as taking in every note, chord and beat.

There have been countless times I have listened to the Catfish albums all the way through: a flow of easy-listening indie-rock, with such a flare of talent, always culminating in an abrupt end on an album, as if someone just pulled the plug from a set. Genius. The kind of ending that leaves you hanging, wanting more and reflecting - as if in a state of shock. Much the same way I intend to end this blog post. Feeling like there should be more... but instead you are left with reflection of memories of HMV and concerts...