Catch 22

Tomas Kalnoky formed Catch 22 in 1996, later enlisting the services of drummer Chris Geer, trumpeter Kevin Gunther, bassist Josh Ansley, saxophone player Ryan Eldred, and trombonist James Egan. The same year the group issued their debut demo tape “Rules of the Game”, limited to 2000 copies. The tape quickly sold out through local promotion and Catch 22 went about finding a label to issue future material. Catch 22 subsequently sent their demo to Sean Bonner of Toybox and Victory Records, who signed the band to Victory and produced they debut album “Keasbey Nights”. The 1998 release introduced the band to a national audience, marked by its upbeat and positive approach. Following the release, bassist Ansley departed the group and was replaced by Pat Calpin, and Catch 22 issued the EP “UP!”.

Trumpet player Egan, who had been fellow trumpeter Kevin Gunther’s first music teacher, left the group in 1999, as did lead singer Tomas Kalnoky, who was replaced by Jeff Davidson. Catch 22’s sophomore album “Alone in a Crowd” was issued by Victory Records in October 2000 and featured the song trilogy “What Goes Around Comes Around”, “Bloomfield Avenue”, and “Neverending Story”. The record was followed by the group’s first national tour in which the band appeared with Mustard Plug, Reel Big Fish and a host of other ska bands.

Members Davidson and Soprano left shortly afterwards in 2001 with Ryan Eldred and Kevin Gunther assuming vocal responsibilities. Following the release of an expanded “Washed Up” EP entitled “Washed Up and Through the Ringer” featuring B-sides and rarities, Catch 22’s third full-length album, “Dinosaur Sounds”, was released in November 2003, marked by its darker themes and subject matter. The live CD/DVD “Live” arrived in 2004 showcasing a performance at The Downtown in Farmingdale, New York, followed by the band’s fourth studio album “Permanent Revolution” in 2006.