It’s been a while since we had a multinational act, so today we get tell you about Swede/Swiss thrash act Katapult…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from Sweden and Switzerland. Me (Johan, vocals) dwell in the great cold north, up in Umeå, Sweden. Florian and Joel live where the streets are paved with gold – Basel, Switzerland.
How did you meet?
Me and Florian met during a photo shoot on a festival called Brännbollsyran in Umeå. I’m not sure have Florian and Joel met, either it was at Grindr, or they met when Florian was recording Joel’s other band FallDown. You’ll have to ask them. Me and Joel haven’t met.
How long have you been playing as a band?
The first demo Florian sent me, “Bajskanon_v1.mp3”, is dated June 25th 2017, and the first vocal tracks share that date. So June 25th it is! That’s the day it was decided Katapult would create music for real, not just be a fictional band.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
A former band member of Florian’s had a brother that apparently never took the time to learn any instrument, but he always wanted to start a band. And that band was supposed to be named Katapult. He never did, though. But we did.
What are your influences?
The Haunted.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We set out to write Dolving-era The Haunted songs from the get go. Both me and Florian have been in bands trying to be unique, and this time we just wanted to have fun. What makes us unique is that we write stuff you’ve probably heard before, but we do it better!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
I tend to connect everything I write to socialism in one way or another. But we try to be open ended and leave heaps of room for interpretation.
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
Our live shows are insane but we haven’t played any yet. Being separated by some 2,500 km, we figured we’d start with writing music. And then came Covid-19.
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
I broke my knee! I have a torn ligament in my right knee from an alcohol related injury. Playing live with my old band Starship Monolit I was gonna do the coolest jump seen to man! Unfortunately, I landed badly – my knee-cap took a few laps around the block and I landed on my face. I finished the gig sitting on a chair. That was wild!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Do people care? I have a cheap ass banjo that can’t seem to stay in tune. But I rarely use it so it’s not a problem, really.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
We recently released our debut EP A Fistful of Truth, four gut-wrenching songs about capitalism and violence. Have a listen, you won’t know what hit you!
What are your plans for 2020?
Our plans are to stay at home, record another EP or two, compose millions and millions of hits, mock capitalism, watch Disney+, wave at people from our windows, you know – the usual.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
Huh. Marco Aro-The Haunted opens. We go second. Peter Dolving-The Haunted headlines. How ‘bout that!
