Catcher is the post-punk, New York band you need to know about

There’s a particular music scene unlike no other in Brooklyn, New York. A sound channelling The Strokes meets post-punk seeps out of doorways from iconic venues like Mercury Lounge, Arlene’s Grocery, Market Hotel and The Hancock. Recently, you’ve probably heard about bands like Been Stellar, Bar Italia and The Hellp making their way across the pond to the UK. Whether they’re bringing back the Heidi Celine skinny jeans, indie sleaze aesthetic or making angsty, head-banging music that could make the strongest teenage girl swoon, these groups are recreating a feeling that we haven’t experienced in the last ten years.

But among these groups, the up and comer to keep an eye out for (and nod along to) are Catcher. Described by NME as classic “New York punks”, the five-piece band brings expert guitar playing, wild drums and an erratic violin together to create a new kind of sound. For the unfamiliar, the band formed with three members in 2021 in Austin, Texas, and soon after moved east to the Big Apple where they found the other two members of the group via “band Tinder” and mutuals. A couple weeks later, they set off on tour with Been Stellar and the rest is history. A few days ago, Catcher wrapped up their second UK tour, playing shows from Margate to Liverpool and concluding with a performance to a packed pub at the George Tavern in Stepney Green, London. 

We asked the band some quick-fire questions before they set off back to the States. 

Camille Bavera: Firstly, tell me a little more about how you came to be as a band?

Catcher: We formed in 2021 after three of us moved from Texas (Austin, Wilson and Cameron) and found Jackie on a ‘band Tinder’ we made, and shortly after we met our violinist Zach through mutual friends. Within two months we had set off on a tour with our friends in Been Stellar, and we’ve been playing together ever since.

CB: You’re based in New York City. For those not familiar with the Brooklyn and Downtown scene, can you paint a picture of what that music scene’s like?

C: When we first started playing, the scene we fell into felt very welcoming, and it was easy to get to know a lot of great people and bands. Since then a lot of those people have gone on to put out some great music and it’s been really amazing to watch that scene grow. 

CB: Where’s your venue of choice for an afters?

C: Lately we’ve been spending a disgusting amount of time at Nightclub 101. It’s been a bit of a hub for a lot of our friends. 

CB: How’s the welcome been on this side of the pond? 

C: It’s been really nice to see a positive response from people at and after shows outside of the States. We played in London last November, so on this tour in particular it’s been great to see and play in cities we’ve never been to before. 

CB: What do you like most about England? 

C: Meal deals and packs of I Love Bunnies.

CB: What’s your best memory from this leg of the tour?

C: Probably hitting The Lanes in Bristol after the show. Zach bowled a perfect game.

CB: Why do you make music?

C: Because it’s the only thing we’re good at. Except for Jackie — Jackie’s good at many things. 

CB: Your only album The Fat of a Broken Heart came out three years ago, and your last singles were in 2024. When can we expect new music?

C: All of the songs we’re playing now are new, and we’re planning on recording them when we get back home!