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Fantastic Cat

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Fantastic Cat
Fantastic Cat performing in 2024
Background information
GenresAmericana, Folk rock, Indie rock, Country music
Years active2021 (2021)–present
LabelsBlue Rose Music, Missing Piece Records
MembersAnthony D'Amato, Brian Dunne, Don DiLego, Mike Montali
Websitehttps://www.fantasticcatband.com/

Fantastic Cat is an indie music supergroup consisting of Anthony D'Amato, Brian Dunne, Don DiLego, and Mike Montali.[1]

History

[edit]

Fantastic Cat was conceived as a collaborative project between singer/songwriters Don DiLego, Anthony D'Amato, and Brian Dunne along with Hollis Brown frontman Mike Montali.[2] Lacking a name before their first recording session, the four asked a waitress at a local New York City bar what they should call themselves. Without hesitation, she replied, "Fantastic Cat," and the name stuck.[3] Artist Jane Beaird illustrated the band as anthropomorphic cats for the cover of their self-titled 2021 EP, which eventually turned into the signature masks the band wears in all of their photos and videos.[4] The band has described their humor and satirical attitude as a spoof of their own respective solo careers taking themselves too seriously.[5]

Fantastic Cat released their debut LP The Very Best of Fantastic Cat in 2022.[6] The cover art features the band members photographed in their masks by Shervin Lainez, and the accompanying bio references past bands with multiple singers and songwriters, claiming it had "never been done" before going on to list several famous examples including The Beatles, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and The Highwaymen.

Rolling Stone called the album a "wildly satisfying collection of folk-rock, country, Americana, and good old rock & roll"[7] with "equal doses of Dylan and Springsteen,"[8] and the band made their national television debut shortly after the release on CBS Saturday Morning.[9][4] Reviewer Jon Young favorably compared the album's opening track "C'mon Armageddon" to Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" in No Depression,[10] while Glide Magazine's Shawn Donohue likened the album to the music of Delta Spirit, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne and Monsters of Folk.[11] In an enthusiastic review for Americana Highways, critic John Moore stated, "If there is any justice in this world, this would be the first in a series of shows, followed by another record. Even the Traveling Wilburys gave us two albums (and The Highwaymen gave us three)."[12]

Band members Brian Dunne (left) and Anthony D'Amato (right) performing in 2024.

In 2023, Fantastic Cat released a cover of Warren Zevon's "Keep Me in Your Heart" and teamed up with Butch Walker for a 50th anniversary recording of Paul McCartney and Wings' "Band on the Run."[13][14] The band also released a limited edition 7" vinyl EP titled Live at The Bowery Ballroom, which they claimed was a "Japanese import" from a factory that had been destroyed by Godzilla after the first and only pressing.[15]

Fantastic Cat announced their second LP, Now That's What I Call Fantastic Cat, in 2024 with the release of a music video for lead single "All My Fault," which parodied vintage VHS dating services.[16] The album track "So Glad You Made It" featured Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, and a music video for the song features Duritz along with Run DMC's Darryl McDaniels portraying the role of the band's engineer.[17] The Boston Globe declared "So Glad You Made It" one of the Songs Of The Summer, calling Now That's What I Call Fantastic Cat "an album without a dud,"[18] while No Depression raved that "there's not another rock band like them,"[19] and The Village Voice asked "Is Fantastic Cat the 'Wu-Tang Clan of Folk Rock?'"[20] The band returned to perform on CBS Saturday Morning on June 8, 2024.[21]

Fantastic Cat was announced as one of the guest performers on 2024's Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin a benefit album for the Sweet Relief artist fund on behalf of Jesse Malin, with Fantastic Cat covering "Queen of the Underworld" on the vinyl release.[22][23] In October the band released two holiday themed covers, Lindsey Buckingham's "Holiday Road," and "Feliz Navidad" in collaboration with mariachi band Corazon de Mexico.[24]

Discography

[edit]

Studio Albums

  • The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat (2022)
  • Now That's What I Call Fantastic Cat (2024)[16]

EPs

  • Fantastic Cat EP (2021)[1]
  • Live at The Bowery Ballroom (2023)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Fantastic Cat (2) Discography". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  2. ^ Benetiz-Eves, Tina (2021). "When Four Singer-Songwriters Unite, One 'Fantastic Cat' is Born". americansongwriter.com. American Songwriter. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  3. ^ Zimmerman, Lee (August 14, 2022). "Fantastic Cat: Funky Felines On The Prowl". rockandrollglobe.com. Rock and Roll Globe. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Beaird, Jane (2022). "FANTASTIC CAT". janebeaird.com. Jane Beaird. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Chumbi, Veronica (June 3, 2024). "INTERVIEW: Fantastic Cat Talks Their Band, New Album, and The Hamptons". hamptons.com. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Fantastic Cat (July 29, 2022). The Very Best of Fantastic Cat (Media notes). Blue Rose Music.
  7. ^ "Warren Zevon's 'Keep Me in Your Heart' Gets Covered by Men Wearing Cat Masks and It's Superb". Rolling Stone. 7 March 2023.
  8. ^ "See Fantastic Cat -- Dudes Who Wear Cat Masks and Suits -- Cover 'Band on the Run' with Butch Walker". Rolling Stone. 5 December 2023.
  9. ^ "CBS Saturday Morning Episode #11.33". imdb.com. IMDB. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  10. ^ Young, Jon (July 27, 2022). "ALBUM REVIEW: Team Spirit and Thoughtful Songcraft Animate 'The Very Best of Fantastic Cat'". nodepression.com. No Depression. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Donohue, Shawn (July 28, 2022). "Fantastic Cat Crawl Out Easy Rolling 'The Band' Inspired Debut Offering 'The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat' (ALBUM REVIEW)". glidemagazine.com. Glide Magazine. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Moore, John (July 27, 2022). "REVIEW: Fantastic Cat "The Very Best Of"". americanahighways.org. Americana Highways. Retrieved March 26, 2024. If there is any justice in this world, this would be the first in a series of shows, followed by another record. Even the Traveling Wilburys gave us two albums (and The Highwaymen gave us three).
  13. ^ Hudak, Joseph (March 7, 2023). "Warren Zevon's 'Keep Me in Your Heart' Gets Covered by Men Wearing Cat Masks and It's Superb". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Hudak, Joseph (December 5, 2023). "See Fantastic Cat — Dudes Who Wear Cat Masks and Suits — Cover 'Band on the Run' With Butch Walker". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  15. ^ "Live At The Bowery Ballroom 7" Vinyl EP". fantasticcatband. Fantastic Cat. 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2024. Pressed on luxurious gold vinyl, this rare Japanese import is a collector's dream featuring four spine-tingling performances (including two previously unreleased songs) captured live at The Bowery Ballroom. Only 250 were made before the pressing plant was destroyed in what authorities have described as a routine Godzilla stomping.
  16. ^ a b Hudak, Joseph (March 25, 2024). "Don't Date These Men: Fantastic Cat Are Cringey Singles in New 'All My Fault' Video". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  17. ^ Hudak, Joseph (June 7, 2024). "Fantastic Cat Commit to the Bit With New Album and Video Featuring Adam Duritz". rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  18. ^ Morris, Chris (August 29, 2024). "Songs of the Summer 2024". bostonglobe.com. Boston Globe (subscription required). Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  19. ^ Gage, Jeff (Fall 2024). "Cat Power". No Depression. Compass Records Group.
  20. ^ Turman, Katherine (July 15, 2024). "Is Fantastic Cat the 'Wu-Tang Clan of Folk Rock'?". villagevoice.com. Village Voice. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  21. ^ "Saturday Sessions Fantastic Cat Performs All My Fault". cbsnews.com. CBS. June 8, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  22. ^ "Silver Patron Saints Vinyl Pre-Sale". Jesse Malin. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  23. ^ "Facebook Announcement". www.facebook.com. Fantastic Cat. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  24. ^ "Fantastic Cat Releases a Pair of Christmas Covers". newjerseystage.com. New Jersey Stage. October 23, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
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