Written by: Cait Elizabeth - September 2018
Edited by: Travis Ryan

INTRODUCTIONS:

Your very first impression of the Samurai Pizza Cats might be alarm at the sheer amount of people standing on stage. Surely that’s a fire hazard? With a nine-person ensemble, the Samurai Pizza Cats will simply blow you away with their infectious music and gritty, brutally honest lyrics. They are a wonderfully balanced combination of ska, funk, reggae, and punk rock. A Pizza Cats show is a full-body workout and a therapy session if attended properly. After founding the band at SUNY Oneonta in the winter of 2010 and releasing its first full-length Cheers in 2013, Travis and Frank reformed the band on Long Island in 2014 following a post-graduation hiatus.

Their sound has evolved over time, and Travis shared that they have “gotten heavier, funkier, and a touch more aggressive over the years.” With such a sprawling cast of players, it’s no surprise members have come and gone throughout the band’s history. The band is currently comprised of Travis Ryan (guitar/vocals), Frank Stark (trombone/vocals), LT Christie (bass), Kevin Peterson (guitar), Tim Diaz (drums), James Hayes (trumpet), Mike Reilly (trombone), Mike Alvarez (sax), and Maggie Buckley (sax). Most of the current lineup know each other from high school and college.

Currently two of the band’s favorite songs to play are “Paris” (below) and “Barb”. “Barb” is unconditionally my favorite song. Ever. From anyone. The song speaks of the bonds created while making music and touring. Many of us never expected to find a family as loving as this music community here on Long Island. I know I’m not the only one who has cried in the crowd listening to Barb. It is somehow joyful and heartbreaking all at once.

“When life is pushing us under, this is pulling us out
It’s time to look to each other like a family

So turn around to another and let’s work this shit out
It’s time to look to each other like a family now”
Barb, Samurai Pizza Cats

TOURS & SHOWS

The Samurai Pizza Cats have been spotted roaming as far south as West Palm Beach, FL and as far west as Detroit, MI. Occasional sightings have been made in upstate New York and Massachusetts as well. They have had many an adventure up and down the East Coast over the years. On a tour stop in Frostburg, Maryland, the Cats found a bar so cool they named their 2015 EP after it! The Bar Monkey sounds like a hell of a good time! They wrapped up that tour at ER Bradley’s Saloon in West Palm Beach, FL and when they returned the following year a fan was sporting an SPC tattoo! Another fan in the Carmel, NY area picked up a tattoo before ever seeing the band live. Their first visit there was a surprisingly warm welcome and it’s reportedly been just as much fun on return trips!

The Samurai Pizza Cats released their EP Anxiety the end of March 2018 at The Great South Bay Brewery. With musical support from Bad Mary, The LeftOvers, and Whole Sum, as well as drinking support from friends and family, GSB sold out their limited edition Not Doin’ Today IPA before the Cats hit the stage.

The “life is kinda shitty, but friends and beer make it easier to deal with” mantra truly showed through that night!

SUBSCRIBE & SUPPORT

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Website
SamPizzaCats@gmail.com

INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES

When pressed about the musical influences that have brought about the Samurai Pizza Cat’s sound, Travis had this to say: “Think Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Passafire meet Rage Against the Machine at Nine Inch Nails' house.” Despite the vast assortment of shiny instruments on stage, the Cats incorporate a darkness that you don’t expect on sight.

We wanted to know if there were any musical guilty pleasures SPC wanted to disclose and Travis responded with:

“At the end of ‘Six Little Circles’ we often go into a little ditty we call ‘Car Alarm’. It's just all of us making different sounds to the rhythm of a car alarm. I don't know if that qualifies as musical though...or guilty.
Or pleasure, really”.