Catch 22

Catch 22 is a US ska, punk and ska punk group from East Brunswick, New Jersey, active from 1996 to the present. The band forms in 1995 in East Brunswick, with drummer Chris Greer and vocalist Tomas Kalnoky.

Early releases and line-up changes

Catch 22 issues a self-produced demo tape, Rules of the Game, in 1996, and all 2,000 copies sell out quickly. The tape reaches Toybox Records in Gainesville, Florida, and then Victory Records through Sean Bonner, leading to a deal with Victory. The band’s first studio album, Keasbey Nights, follows in 1998.

After the debut, Josh Ansley leaves and Pat Calpin replaces him. Kalnoky then leaves, choosing to continue his education rather than tour. The group continues with Pat Calpin moving to guitar, Pat “Mingus” Kays on bass, and Jeff Davidson on vocals.

Recording and touring

The new line-up is introduced on the 1999 EP Washed Up!. In 2000, Catch 22 releases Alone in a Crowd with Mike Soprano on trombone. Around this time the band tours widely across the United States and appears with acts including Mustard Plug, Reel Big Fish and other third-wave ska, hardcore and punk bands.

Davidson and Soprano leave in 2001. The band looks for new vocalists, including advertising on its website, and also adds Ian Mckenzie, formerly of Edna’s Goldfish, on trombone and vocals. When no replacement is found, Ryan Eldred and Kevin Gunther share vocal duties.

Later releases

Washed Up and Through the Ringer appears in 2001 as an expanded version of the earlier EP, adding new songs, rarities from the Alone in a Crowd period and live recordings from shows in Pittsburgh and at Euclid Tavern in Ohio. The third full-length album, Dinosaur Sounds, arrives in 2003.

In 2004 the band releases Live, a CD and DVD set recorded at a show in Farmingdale, New York earlier that year. Its fourth studio album, Permanent Revolution, follows in 2006 and is a concept album about Leon Trotsky; the title refers to the idea of permanent revolution associated with him.

Related acts and context

Catch 22 is connected to Streetlight Manifesto through former members and shared personnel. Streetlight Manifesto is founded by former Catch 22 frontman Tomas Kalnoky and includes Josh Ansley and Jamie Egan. The two bands are associated with a period of tension, but later reconcile, and Kevin Gunther handles Streetlight Manifesto’s tour booking.

Several bands that open for Catch 22 later achieve wider recognition, including Sum 41, Bowling For Soup, Thursday and Taking Back Sunday.