Catharsis (1987 - 1989)
Catharsis, prog-rock heavy hitters of the late 80s Kalamazoo musical landscape, formed in 1987, when Nick Petroff and Mike Yount hooked up with Bill Clements. After winning studio time in a WIDR/Club Soda sponsored battle of the bands, the trio recorded a four-song demo at Brown & Brown studios in Kalamazoo and quickly became a staple of the Kalamazoo club and music festival scene.
In 1988, Mike left the band. Drummer Brad Frank then joined, and with the help of Tim Kolleth (then program director at WIDR) and Dylan Schmorrow (adept promoter of local music and member of the Kalamazoo band, Vicious Kiss), Catharsis planned small Midwestern tours and additional recordings. Later that year, Bill lost much of his right arm in a tragic industrial accident. Miraculously, and with great tenacity, Bill returned to the practice studio a month after his accident. Only a few months later, Catharsis recorded a self-titled 12-inch and continued playing shows.
Bill left Catharsis in 1989. Bassist J. Gorgone joined the group shortly afterwards, and after playing several shows, recording a final demo, and completing a brief national tour, Catharsis disbanded.
- Nick Petroff, Guitar vocals
- Bill Clements, Bass
- Brad Frank, Mike Yount, Drums
Nick Petroff later played in San Francisco bands Squelch and Missing Link.
Bill Clements later played in Selling Heaven, Killswitch, Burning Tent Revival and a multitude of other projects.
Mike Yount later played with Bill in Selling Heaven and Killswitch.
Brad Frank later played with Robert Bradley (RCA/Vanguard), The Mertons (Blackdog Records), and Southwest Michigan groups Pillar to Post, Willamena, Calico, The Undercats, and One Step Beyond.
Tim Kolleth, who was officially Catharsis' manager, is currently the head of Radio Promotion at Alligator Records. His name also frequently appears in the production credits of their artists' releases.
In addition to helping manage and promote Catharsis, Dylan Schmorrow founded the Alternative Music Promotional Society (AMPS), a WMU student organization that regularly organized shows in lecture halls on Western's campus featuring Kalamazoo area bands.
LT EXLCUSIVE - THE ALBUM / 12 inch
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- 1_Thieves_of_reason.mp3
- 2_Black_fences.mp3
- 3_Words_at_the_cafe_technicolor.mp3
- 4_Yesterdays_feast.mp3
- 5_Vacuum_frame.mp3
- 6_Autopawn.mp3
- 7_Always_astray.mp3
Comments from the world
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Posted by: Chuck Hess on 03-18-08 about Catharsis
I actually lived down the hall from Nick when Catharsis formed (1985). What great music. Mike Rosenbaum gave me the original master tape of this album and I re-mastered it and made a few cd's for people associated with the project. Years later I was very fortunate to be in a great band with Mike Yount, Lot. I know others have said it but Mike was an incredible drummer. And besides that he was a great guy.
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Posted by: Lee Barton on 02-17-08 about Catharsis
Black Fences! Man, I haven't heard that song in how many years? There's too much of that Roland chorus/reverb happening on the album, but still - it's so great to hear this music again.
What I remeber about Catharsis is that they were a musician's band. Each guy was a total badass on his instrument. The live sound was much more raw, yet clean. And they'd hit every note, every time. It was a blur of fingers and drumsticks. Funky, jazzy, ripping, rock, fusion.
Now I'm listening to "Autopawn"... Knee Deep Shag, eat your heart out.
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