Cattywompus is a four-member, Los Angeles based indie/blues rock band. The band has released two albums. Their third album, “Gospel Hymns and Original Sins,” a full-length LP will be released in early 2007. Cattywompus’s music is characterized by undertones of blues and classic rock.

History

Cattywompus formed in 2001 in West Hills, California (a suburb of Los Angeles) under the moniker Wine Lip. The band consisted of Jonathan Lennartz as vocalist and guitarist, Aaron Bateman on lead guitar, and brothers James and John Webber as bassist and back up vocals and drummer respectively.

Later in 2001, the band changed its name to Cattywompus, a word used by James’s [This is grammatically correct. Please don’t edit out the ‘s.] and Jon’s high school football coach to describe opponents, and added Kevin Webber, James’s and John’s father, as a percussionist.

Just months after forming, Cattywompus played live shows at the popular University of California, Los Angeles pub, Westwood Brewing Company and at 14 Below in Santa Monica, California. Through the duration of 2002 and 2003 the band continued to play regular gigs at local bars and clubs throughout Los Angeles County.

In 2003, Cattywompus released its first EP entitled, “Backwards Evolution,” a self-produced five-track album which is now out of print. One song from this EP, “Beautiful,” remains available on iTunes, however.

Cattywompus followed “Backwards Evolution” with the release of the “Wildfire,” in 2005. Though this EP was also independently produced by the band, it received assistance from Los Angeles audio engineer, Kent Hitchcock. This six-song EP garnered much attention and acclaim in the indie community and received reviews comparing the band to Lenny Kravitz and two of its major influences, The Rolling Stones and Neil Young. Critics noted the “tight rhythm section” of the band and the appeal to fans of both classic rock and modern acoustic rock. (rocknworld.com and allaccessmagazine.com)

In October of 2005, Cattywompus (minus Kevin Webber) embarked on its first tour. Within one month, the boys played to fans at sixteen shows in nine different states—from California to Florida. The tour greatly increased the band’s fan base and led to radio play on college radio stations and on the internet.

Sadly the excitement from the success of the tour was short lived. Not long after Cattywompus arrived home, Kevin Webber passed away due to cancer. Despite their mourning and to honor Kevin’s love for music, the band resumed playing shows and returned to the recording studio in early 2006.

“Gospel Hymns and Original Sins,” the first full-length release from the band, will be released in the first quarter of 2007. The LP was once again self-produced, but this time Cattywompus got some help. Artist/producer, Britt Phillips provided producing guidance; Thom Flowers mixed the tracks; and Evren Goknar at Capitol Records mastered the album. Reviews of the album observe the emotional charge behind the album as a result of Kevin’s passing but highlight the catchiness of the tunes and well composed harmonies which arouse a sense of nostalgia. (getunderground.com)

Cattywompus is not signed to a record label as of yet, however, in 2006 the band contracted with the Nashville based management company, Fitzgerald Hartley.

Band Members

Jonathan Lennartz: Vocals & Guitar
Aaron Bateman: Lead Guitar
James Webber: Bass & Vocals
John Webber: Drums & Percussion
Kevin Webber: Percussion (2001 – 2005)

Discography

“Backwards Evolution” (indie 2003)
“Wildfire” EP (indie 2005)
“Gospel Hymns and Original Sins” (2006)

Compilations
Hen House Anthology – “Beautiful” (Hen House Records 2004)