Bite The Killer Cat‘s ‘Everyday Sessions’ opens with a crushing, dramatic power chord coupled with a trad-inspired mandolin lick, setting in motion the recurring musical theme of the EP. This release is the Athlone-based quartet’s attempt at marrying its disparate hard rock/heavy metal and trad/folk influences across its five tracks with varying results, making for an enjoyable yet somewhat incohesive listen.
Opening and titular track Everyday follows on from it’s hard hitting opening by stripping back the guitars to allow the mandolin to ring loud and clear alongside some very powerful precise punchy drumming on the verse. On the chorus, two-note guitar bends compliment both instruments before the song launches back into the intro riff again. Bright keys are added on the song’s bridge, as well as some subtle backing vocal harmonies. The EP’s production has a warm, live feel to it with no one instrument being heard distinctly over another.
The hard, driving feel of Everyday soon gives way to the bluegrass tinged Just For You, an ode to one’s local boozer played in polka time making prominent use of twinkling ivories and handclaps and plucked warm guitar tones that wouldn’t sound out of place on a swamp rock album. On Feel The Notes, the talent and tightness of the band’s rhythm section really comes to the fore, the song driven by the beat and bass slaps.
Lyrically, there is little to analyse. Bite The Killer Cat are quite happy to announce thoughts and feelings rather than suggest them metaphorically or with abstract ideas. The songs pay tribute to music, life and music as life. At times, the group come across saccharine, but on Dear Every Person – which plays out like an homage of sorts to Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder being a clear reference point for the lead vocalist’s style – the lyrics are heartfelt and touching.
On Everyday Sessions we get a glimpse of the band’s potential, and while there’s room for improvement, the EP is still a worthwhile listen. There is enough here to keep any listener interested until the end. It’s a simple album, but an enjoyable one for the right kind of listener.