Don't let the name fool you. This isn't some crybaby blues jam. There's a time and a place for that, but Kat Blu was born rockin', and this hard hittin' three-piece band from southern Minnesota has been leaving big tracks on the rock music scene ever since their formation on New Year's Eve 1994-'95. As a self-sufficient working band, Kat Blu's persistence and passion have allowed them to achieve what other bands have not..
They have been making a lot of noise at clubs and bars all around the Midwest over the years, and other high-profile shows including Rockin' the Hills, a four-day rock music concert in Bottineau, ND., where they have stomped the stage two years running. Twice, they have been one of the featured bands at the Riverbend Music Festival, in Owatonna, MN. They were invited to play as the opening act for a portion of E'nuff Z'nuff's tour through ND and MN. They have played for the state A.B.A.T.E. rally in Regal, MN. and the list goes on... With the release of two CD's of original music, Kat Blu is holding their own. "Too Wild to Tame" was released in 1996, and their latest disc "Uncaged" in 2003. Their songs have had airplay on local radio, as well as being broadcasted in Eastern states, and there has even been interest from overseas.
When they are playing a show, Kat Blu songs like, "Animal," "Too Wild to Tame,"" Kamikaze," "Numb," and "Workin' Day" are frequently requested.
Kat Blu's impressive repertoire of hundreds of cover songs has been pleasing crowds as well. Whether it's covering classic groups like AC/DC, KISS, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, and Rush, recent bands like Guns n' Roses, Poison, Quiet Riot, The Beastie Boys, Green Day, and Metallica, or current bands like Buckcherry, Nickelback, Puddle of Mud, and Kid Rock, people are amazed at what only three guys rockin' on stage can sound like.
A three-piece band like Kat Blu is sometimes hard to sell...until you know what they're made of. And if you ask them, these guys will tell you that they wouldn't have it any other way. The special blend of busy rhythms and sounds created by "Scary" Larry Crawford, Reed Tostenson, and Elliot Pagel, is something that you have to hear and see to believe.
All three musicians have their own vocal and playing qualities, and when you put them all together, it's not quite like anything you have heard before. Larry is one of the wildest drummers/vocalists around, and his stage antics make him hard to ignore. He's always hitting something, and when people ask him how he can play and sing like that simultaneously, his answer is honestly, "I don't know...I just do it." Even other drummers say, "Wow!" or sometimes they just sit and stare...
As the guitarist, Reed's style is perfectly suited for a trio, as he switches between playing rhythm, lead, or both at the same time, even from one beat to the next. He has to...there's only one guitar on stage! His aggressive, from the hip (and heart) axemanship is undeniable, and it's sometimes hard to determine just exactly how he can do that! All bass players are the same, right?...Wrong! Elliot has a special ability to not only hold down the bottom end, but also enhance the rhythm and fill in spaces around guitar leads, while accenting elements of the drums and vocals. His busy bass playing, and busy stage presence make you wonder what a bassist in a four or five piece band would do with all of his free time. Kat Blu doesn't go anywhere without the fourth Kat...their sound tech.Gary Thofson. He knows the band better than they know themselves, and he knows just how much sauce it takes to season the mix.
A veteran of studio recording, as well as running sound for many types of live performances, you'd be hard pressed to find someone with a more talented and experienced pair of ears.
Along with their CD's, Kat Blu has made available t-shirts, sweatshirts, and of all things, shot glasses bearing their logos and pictures. These are made available at the shows, and also online, along with their playing schedule, photos, sound clips, and contact information on the official Kat Blu website at www.katblu.net.
For booking info., call First Gear Entertainment: (507)383-5510, or (507)874-2766. ROCK ON...!
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