In the age of
teenage pop stars, faux-
gangsta rappers and an all-out
Attack Of The Clones, a new sound has emerged for the
masses to enjoy: garage rock. With its swirling
Hammond organs, flush horn sections, and slightly
lo-fi circa 1967 sound, The Cato Salsa Experience is no exception.
After working with Norway's shoegazer quartet The Poor Rich Ones as a session musician and occasional producer, Cato Salsa (real name: Cato Thomassen) decided he would form a band that would be inspired by his two favorite performers: The Who and The Beach Boys.
In the hot summer of 2000, he invited friends and studio co-workers Jon Riise and Christian Engfelt over to his house for coffee and a jam session. Within 90 seconds, the trio had mastered the sound Salsa had longed for: psychedelic rock with plenty of Wall of Sound pop. Sensing something was missing, the boys went out and found Nina Bjorndalen, a rock-savvy keyboardist.
Searching for a name, the band spotted a crude drawing in Thomassen's kitchen depicting "Cato Salsa And The Animals." Engfelt suggested a compromise of The Cato Salsa Experience to denote the importance of the backing band in the music, much like the celebrated Jimi Hendrix Experience.
By December, the band had released their 10" debut EP, appropriately titled The Cato Salsa Experience on Garralda Records. This was followed by two more EPs, Sister Disco and Salso Casa in 2001, all of which led to their debut LP, A Good Tip For A Good Time, released on Emperor Norton Records.
With the aid of Norway's premier jazz group Jaga Jazzist, the album serves as the pinnacle of their thus far short career, but also as the starting point for what should be a wild ride.
Discography circa August 2002:
- The Cato Salsa Experience 10", December 2000, Garralda.
- Sister Disco 7", May 2001, Garralda.
- Salso Casa 10", July 2001, Emperor Norton/Garralda.
- A Good Tip For A Good Time, April 2002, Emperor Norton/Garralda.
- "Rock N Roll Circus Is Back In Town" 7" single, April 2002, Emperor Norton/Garralda.
Bibliography:
- http://www.emperornorton.com/mod/artistpage.php3?artist=cato_salsa_experience
- http://www.garraldarec.com
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