Feature / Music
MACRoCk 2008

Words: Cory • Posted pre-2010

American Tourist | Antlers | The Catalyst | Cloak/Dagger | Furnace | Government Warning | Mild Winter | Police and Thieves | Punch You in the Face Big! | Savage Land

The Catalyst

http://www.myspace.com/thecatalyst

Scene Point Blank: I could be wrong but I believe this is the first time The Catalyst has played MACRoCk. What are your expectations for the event?

The Catalyst: It's true, we've never played, but we've been to more than a few of them between us. We were bummed that it didn't come together last year, but we think it rules that this year will be a more regionally focused, DIY-oriented sort of event.

Scene Point Blank:What bands are you looking forward to seeing this year?

The Catalyst: This year is going to rule so hard. Everyone should check out Ingrid, from D.C., who are one of our new favorite bands. Also, we're stoked to see Order, Pygmy Lush, and Tideland, as well as the fantastic cross-section of RVA bands playing this year, including Antlers, Snack Truck, Cloak/Dagger, Hot Lava, Lord By Fire, Government Warning, Swamp Thing, and more.

Scene Point Blank:Besides the music, what you looking forward to the most at MACRoCk?

The Catalyst: Seeing old friends, meeting new ones. Hanging out. El Charro.

Scene Point Blank:What are your thoughts on the punk/independent scene in Harrisonburg? It's always seemed like a little unknown gem to me, but I'm obviously a bit biased on that front.

The Catalyst: Most of what I know about Harrisonburg in the past comes either from my high school Spanish teacher or the Lovitt Records DVD. It definitely seems like there's been a disproportionate amount of great bands coming out of there over the years. Being in Richmond, just a few hours away, has made Harrisonburg a sweet spot for day trips. We've had some great times at the Crayola House, I think everyone probably has. The town has a great vibe, and great potential still. Although I couldn't talk bad about it even if I wanted to, Virginia is for lovers.

Scene Point Blank: What's going on in the Catalyst camp in the future? I understand a tour in Europe?

The Catalyst: We'll be touring Europe from April 11th to May 11th with our good friends The Kidcrash, from Olympia, WA. Before that, Paul over at Perpetual Motion Machine is releasing a thirteen-song CD collection of our songs from the split LP with Mass Movement of the Moth, the split 7" with Brainworms, and last year's Marianas Trench EP. Everything's been remixed and re-mastered and it sounds monstrous. That should be out the weekend of March 25th, in time for MACRoCk and the tour. We've been writing a lot of new music, and we're planning on recording a new full-length sometime in 2008. In August, we'll be hitting the road for a few weeks with our perennial homeboys Antlers, taking us just across the Mississippi River and back.

Related features

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more

moja

One Question Interviews • September 24, 2025

moja SPB: How old were you when you learned your first instrument? Masumi: My first instrument was YAMAHA Electone when I was five years old. Haru: I’ve never actually had formal lessons -- I’m totally self-taught. I bought my first instrument back in junior high just to start a band … Read more

Broken Record

One Question Interviews • September 23, 2025

Lauren (Broken Record) SPB: What was your first tape/cd/record? Lauren: The first CD I bought with my own money was No Strings Attached by *NSYNC, but perhaps more formative was my second CD, Green Day’s Nimrod. Green Day went on to become one of my all time favorites, and I … Read more

Eric Angelo Bessel

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • September 22, 2025

Eric Angelo Bessel SPB: Walk us through your gear setup for the recording of Mirror at Night. Eric: I composed the album, Mirror at Night, using a pair of digital Mellotrons (proto-sampling keyboards), an Alesis Micron (keyboard synthesizer), and guitars. The Micron is a new addition, and is the main … Read more

Dial Drive

One Question Interviews • September 18, 2025

Jake LeDrew (Dial Drive – guitar/vocals) SPB: What is your favorite Dial Drive lyric? Why? LeDrew: I'm going to go with a lyric off our new album. "You said you hate your life. Don't waste yours just take mine." That's in the chorus of our song "Second Chances" which will … Read more

Related news

MACRoCk 2008 Initial Lineup

Posted in Shows on March 11, 2008

More from this section

Bo Diddley Plaza: Behind the Scenes at Fest

Music / Fest 23 • October 6, 2025

For close to a quarter-century punk fans have flocked to Florida for The Fest. Boasting a lineup of 300+ bands and roughly a dozen venues these days, the festival has grown, shifted and evolved. For several years the main stage has been in a large downtown park called Bo Diddley … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #1

Music / New Kids On The Block • September 14, 2025

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more

Sell The Heart Records – History 101

Music / History 101 • August 3, 2025

Like most independent labels, Sell The Heart started to document a scene without really asking themselves “Where do you see yourself in 15 years?” In 2010, founder Andy Pohl was barely even thinking about vinyl. In “History 101” tradition, Scene Point Blank picked out some of the label's notable releases … Read more