Cattywompus is an American rock band that originated in 2001 in Los Angeles, California. The group's lineup includes Jonathan Lennartz as lead singer and rhythm guitarist, Aaron Bateman on lead guitar, James Webber on bass and vocals, and John Webber on drums.
The band made its debut with the EP titled “Backwards Evolution,” which features five tracks. During this period, they welcomed Kevin Webber, the father of John and James, to contribute percussion, enhancing the depth of their sound. The recording took place at Hot Pie Studios in Pasadena, California, where the songs were captured in an analog format by their cousin and studio co-founder, Paul Gagliaradi, over an intense two-day session. Their CD release party in North Hollywood drew a large crowd, resulting in the venue being shut down by the local fire marshal due to overcrowding. Following this, Cattywompus expanded their reach, performing in locations such as San Diego and Tempe, Arizona.
In 2005, Cattywompus released their second EP, “Wildfire.” This project was also produced independently, with basic drum tracks recorded in analog at Hot Pie Studios, but it benefitted from the expertise of Los Angeles audio producer Kent Hitchcock. The band digitized the tracks using Pro Tools and, after securing an abandoned recording studio in Santa Monica and purchasing a Pro Tools console, they took the reins on production.
The six-song EP gained significant recognition within the indie music scene, earning comparisons to The Black Crowes as well as major influences like The Rolling Stones and Neil Young. Critics praised the band’s “tight rhythm section” and noted their appeal to fans of both classic rock and modern acoustic rock, as reported by rocknworld.com and allaccessmagazine.com. They began performing at larger venues in Hollywood, including The Roxy, Key Club, Viper Room, and The House of Blues.
In October 2005, Cattywompus set out on their first tour, which saw them performing across nine states—from California to Florida—within a month. This tour significantly expanded their fanbase and led to increased radio play on college stations and online platforms.
Tragically, the excitement following the tour was overshadowed by the passing of Kevin Webber from cancer shortly after their return home. In the wake of this loss, the band experienced a surge of creativity. To honor Kevin’s passion for music, they reunited to work on new songs, enlisting the guidance of Britt Phillips, a former bandmate of Kevin’s from the 70s and 80s who had been out of touch for years. James discovered Britt’s name on several handwritten cassette tapes in Kevin’s collection and reached out to him. Britt invited the band to record in his newly established home studio, and within a month, they had a complete album that was ready for mixing.
“Gospel Hymns and Original Sins,” Cattywompus's first full-length album, was released in early 2007. While it was self-produced, they received assistance from Britt Phillips and had the tracks mixed by Thom Flowers in Santa Barbara, with mastering by Evren Goknar at Capitol Records in Hollywood. Reviews highlighted the album's emotional resonance, driven by Kevin’s passing, while also noting the catchy melodies and well-crafted harmonies that evoke a sense of nostalgia, as noted by getunderground.com. Following a sold-out release party at The Roxy in Hollywood, the band toured briefly, opening for Reckless Kelly along the California coast, including stops in Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
In 2007, Cattywompus relocated to Austin, Texas. Over the next two years, they performed extensively across Texas, gracing the stages of iconic theaters and honky-tonks. Notable performances included venues like Antone’s and Momo’s in Downtown Austin, as well as opening for JJ Grey & Mofro at the Granada Theater in Dallas. During this time, they began recording a new song, “New Wave Outlaw Politic,” at The Recording Conservatory of Austin. However, with the transition to a new city and personal life changes, the band decided to take a break after seven years of intense writing, rehearsing, recording, and performing. “New Wave Outlaw Politic” remained unfinished and unheard—until now. It is currently available along with their other albums and EPs on various streaming and digital platforms.
