Boston Celtic lifer.
Seventies soundtrack enthusiast.
Opera hater. Bassist. Former band nerd? This edition of Fistful of Questions goes to
Mr. Tim Catz of Roadsaw and White Dynomite.
What is your full name?
Tim Catz
Do you have any aliases?
None I’m willing to reveal.
What bands are you actively involved in?
Roadsaw White Dynomite
What was the name of the first band you were in?
I had an imaginary band called Intruder before I actually formed one. Made a cool logo and everything. But my first "real" band was called Cluster. It was your basic power trio with me playing bass and singing.
What was the first instrument that you played?
Drums in a high school marching band.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
I had a little plastic record player and the first 45 I remember having was "Good Vibrations" by The Beach Boys.
What inspired the name Roadsaw?
We were leaving the practice space in a fog of dope smoke and booze after one of our first get togethers. They were doing construction outside the building and this giant asphalt cutting machine was parked there. Someone turned and said "Hey look its a Road Saw! "....and that was that.
Both White Dynomite and Roadsaw have an element of fun that permeates throughout their sound. How is that achieved?
Certainly White Dynomite does. It's supposed to be a good time freak out party whenever we play. That's the whole idea. None of the songs are very serious lyrically and the songwriting process doesn’t involve overcomplicating or over thinking.
With Roadsaw it’s different. I feel like it has some of those elements, but there's so much more put into it. More personal views. But we certainly use the power of Rawk to make our point. We keep it moving.
Which comes first when you are writing a song… the title or the lyrics?
Depends. With White Dynomite it's definitely all about the song title. Some songs write themselves if you have a good title.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
One that made lots of money for obvious reasons.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so, what was the song and artist?
No.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Drugs. Ha!....I dunno...so many. I'm not one of those people who only listens to a narrow swathe of genres. I listen to everything and try to find something in it I can put my mind to, find something in it I can use. Except Opera. I hate opera.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you
with their live show?
Zen Guerilla. Solid wave of sweat infused madness and soul.
Do you have any non-metal/hard rock musical inspirations?
Sure. 70’s cinema. The Golden Age.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
Yes. Find that delicate balance between inspired looseness and too drunk to play, then ride it into the ground.
What is an absolute band killer?
Motley Crue had an actual killer in the lineup. Fuck you Vince Neil.
What is the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
Too many to list. What a long strange trip it's been, right?
What’s the best thing about being on the road?
Being homeless.
What’s the worst thing about being on the road?
Being homeless.
Your driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album. What album would you choose?
"Sky Valley" by Kyuss. A touring staple.
What’s the longest you’ve ever gone without bathing?
A month. Roadsaw did a tour with Lead Foot and Terra Firma
years ago. All of us in Roadsaw decided to dress head to toe in leather at that
stage in our careers. And the challenge was to not shower the entire time. I
even slept in leather pants. We stunk like rotten meat by the end of it.
(Interviewer’s note… this is a new record. The previous record was a week. I’m mortified and amused at the same time.)
What’s it going to take to get the Celtics back to the NBA Finals?
We are one piece away from being real contenders. But I love the young talent we already have. With all the trades and deals last month it looks like this coming season is gonna be wild. The East is wide open. Maybe that Lakers/Celtic rivalry will get real again!
The year is 1989. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
I’m listening to lots of local Boston bands. The Lyres. The Blackjacks. Del Fuegos. Prime Movers. The Bags. Zulus. Turbines. Slaughter Shack. Wargasm. Meliah Rage.
Describe Sully Erna in fifteen words or less.
Hardest working wiccan midget in the business.
(Sully, for those that don’t know is the frontman of Godsmack and the former drummer and bandmate of Tim’s in the band Seka/Strip Mind)
Where is that Gibson Thunderbird bass right now?
To my right. In its case. Waiting.
You are stuck on a deserted island and you have to choose one of your Roadsaw bandmates to join you. Which bandmate will it be and why?
Craig Riggs. He's got the most meat on him. In case cannibalism becomes an option.
You’re starting up a band and you can choose Bob Seger or David Lee Roth as your singer. Which one will it be?
Bob Seger of course. The man is an under appreciated legend. Right up there with Tom Petty if you ask me.
Jethro Tull or Motorhead (if you had to choose)?
Jethro Tull. Cuz flutes.
Favorite Atari game?
Video games are for dorks and virgins. Pick up a guitar and get some action!
Favorite New Kids On The Block song?
I celebrate their entire catalog.
Favorite book?
Ham On Rye. Bukowski
Favorite movie?
Holy Mountain
Favorite album?
Prison Hymes
Favorite meal?
Rock Lobster of course Thanks to Tim for taking the time to answer these questions and for shattering the previous record for consecutive days without bathing. Be sure to check out Roadsaw’s latest release Tinnitus the Night available digitally and on cd and sick ass vinyl courtesy of Ripple Music. You’ll be a better person for having done so.
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
Ps- Be sure to check out the Fistful of DOOM show airing on Fuzz Heavy Radio every Sunday at 6 p.m. c.s.t./ 7 p.m. e.s.t.
http://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/tinnitus-the-night
http://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/action-oclock-ep
