The Brook Lee Catastrophe

The Brook Lee Catastrophe Brook Lee- lead vocal, acoustic & electric guitar, banjo Paul Mitchell- violin, keyboards, backing vocals George Madrid- lead electric guitar, backing vocals Ryan Nakata- bass, saxophone, backing vocals Mike Duncan- drums, backing vocals Over the past six years, The Brook Lee Catastrophe has built a growing base of friends and fans one show at a time through touring and good old fashioned word of mouth. With a sound steeped in American tradition but uniquely its own, the band weaves strands of folk, rock, pop, and country through a lush sonic backdrop bound together by singer-songwriter Brook Lee's insightful lyrics. Though rooted in folk and crafted with a troubadour's ear for storytelling, the band will often counterpunch Lee's wicked wit with a wall of sound response. This approach was first captured on, The Weight Of Waiting (2007), when the guys turned to veteran producer Rick Parker (Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Dandy Warhols) for a restless five day recording session. After a successful launch party at The Troubadour in Hollywood, The Brook Lee Catastrophe hit the road again this time incorporating a six week national tour hitting distinctly different landscapes such as Seattle, Boston, Nashville, and Austin to name just a few. In late 2008, they returned to the studio armed with nearly three dozen new songs. With Rick Parker again handling the lion's share of the production duties, these sessions produced a set of songs that cover the full breadth of The Catastrophe's formidable arsenal; everything from sweeping rockers to intimate sketches. The result is The Brook Lee Catastrophe's most ambitious offering to date. Two companion piece albums encompassing different sides of the band's musical personality which are linked by common themes. Released in the summer of 2010, the first album, American Hotel features the Catastrophe at full throttle embracing a rock sound that takes advantage of it's thick rhythm section and infectious guitar hooks. It's a whirlwind ride full of sing-along choruses and foot stomping beats, though still anchored by the sharp lyricism that is one of the band's trademarks. If American Hotel is designed to keep the intensity burning all the way to last call, Motel Americana (summer 2011) is the hair of the dog; the cold comfort of the morning after; the soundtrack of the battered and the bruised. Squarely rooted in the folk tradition, the album also incorporates textures of country, bluegrass, and gospel in service of a song cycle that is at once melancholy and celebratory-the perfect antidote to a cold and cynical world. Backed by the power and passion of world class musicianship, Motel Americana is a reflection of a family that's just getting started. A collection of musicians from the Southern California area who love playing music