The Cat Pack

Just to clarify a little confusion which seems to be cropping up regarding how many’s actually in The Cat Pack. The album, ‘It Aint What You Do’ does indeed feature 35 fabulous people and musicians. However, this is spread over 4 sessions and 16 tracks - not all 35 performed at one time! As with gigs we often have to use ‘deps’ to fill in now and again as it is very rare we can use exactly the same line-up for all engagements due to availability of so many people. So just to clarify the line-up, all tracks on the album and at gigs consist of at any one time the traditional big band line-up of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxophones, 4-piece rhythm section and 3-4 vocalists, totalling 20 people. For future reference for gigs please note however we can offer two reduced sized line-ups depending on venue size and budget. The full ‘blow your head off’ sound you hear on the record though is 20 honkers and screamers. Though now it’s mentioned - 35 at once, hmm, now there’s an idea…though is there a bar big enough out there to take us after a gig?!?!

Whilst things are relatively quiet on The Cat Pack front at present, why not take a trip to www.thebigheat.net and check out what’s happening for your jump blues fix down Sheffield way. Lots of great rockin’ gigs coming up over the summer and the debut album, ‘Boogiemen’ is stirring quite a storm. Check it out and hopefully see you on the dance floor somewhere soon.

Cat Pack vocalist Lisa George and band-leader Richard Blanchard are currently preparing material for Lisa’s forthcoming debut solo album to be released on Raucous Records. The album promises to be a mixed bag with covers of lesser known 40’s/50’s rockin’ ditties plus a smattering of originals including songs by ‘Pedalo Boy’ Mick from the Cordwood Draggers and Mr.Haley himself from Phil Haley & His Comments. The album will also feature contributions of course from several members of The Cat Pack and Big Heat stables. Look out for this later in the year - we’re sure you’ll love it with Lisa’s fabulous rockin’ country blues voice which proved so popular at our live gigs and on the album, ’It Aint What You Do’.

Apologies for the many booking enquiries we have had to turn down recently but please do keep trying the band as all being well hectic schedules will free up more towards the end of the year. We envisaged it will be a busy year for many Cat Pack members and so it has been with heavy touring and work commitments with artists including Peter Grant, Joe Longthorne, Corrine Bailey Rae, Joan Rivers, Roy Wood, Jason Donovan, Raised By Animals and Michael Roach amongst the ranks. Not to mention of course, The Rat Pack, Blues Brothers, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Elvis….er, tribute theatre shows! Throw in the odd baby due, weddings imminent, major career changes, USA tour for the Cathouse Creepers, property developing and all in all it’s busy times indeed! After a well earned rest for everyone no doubt we’ll up and running more regularly again in future - keep your eyes on the dates page.

Check out The Cat Pack’s page on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/thecatpack and join in on the friends list. Also look out for our unreleased version of ‘Tuxedo Junction’, only currently available on our website and the Myspace site. Enjoy!

At the Ritz Ballroom, Brighouse on February 3rd. Doors at 7.45pm and tickets are £10 available on 01484 720058. The night is a double-biller with The Big Heat (also releasing their new album) and with support by the fabulous ‘Bradford Dude’ DJ spinning the best in rock’n'roll and jump jive it promises to be a great night. Tell everyone about it and bring your dancing shoes!

After many months in the making the brand new album, ‘It Aint What You Do’ is finally out! For a limited period only the CD will be available for £10 (+75p P&P) through The Cat Pack website or at our CD launch night on February 3rd (see below). We’re just updating the site soon to include ordering details - in the meantime please drop us a line via the contact page if you’d like your copy saving and we’ll be in touch with further details. The album promises to be a cracker - 16 new tracks all with new arrangements and a few original numbers to boot. It features the vocals of Darren Juvie, Lisa George, Roman Marek, Katie Ashby & Martyn Savage and also a great honking tenor sax feature for bluesman, Paul Corry and ivory-tinkling a plenty from boogie-rocket, Richard Blanchard. 34 guys and gals have honked and screamed on the album and it promises to blow your socks off! Reviews to be published on the site as and when we get them.

Goes to John Wilson, lead vocalist with The Big Heat for helping The Cat Pack out at our recent shows at Oldham Coliseum and Burnley Mechanics. In the wake of illness to singer/guitarist Darren Juvie, John stepped at very late notice and did everyone proud with his dynamite vocals. Darren’s now on the road to recovery and we wish him all the best. John meanwhile also appears on The Big Heat’s new CD, ‘Boogiemen’ also available on Raucous Records and ordering information can be found via www.thebigheat.net and www.raucousrecords.com.

The Cathouse Creepers album, ‘Fast lane’ is now available on Raucous Records. Featuring 3 members of The Cat Pack this fabulous rockabilly album is attracting great reviews and airplay coast to coast in the States and also in Europe and Australia. Check it out - for more details and ordering information please contact martyn56@btinternet.com or visit www.raucousrecords.com

It is with deep regret that we have had to cancel our show at the Ritz Ballroom, Brighouse on September 2nd due to unforseen circumstances. Many apologies for this but the night still will be going ahead with the tremendous 8-piece jump, jive band, The Big Heat in it’s place (plus DJ). Admission is as usual, £6.50 on the door with doors opening at 7.45pm.