BIO
Okay, seriously now…
Cootie Shot came together in early 2006 when a group of friends (Casey/ Vocals, Kathleen/Drums and Nikki/Guitar) decided that they wanted to make music. Unlike most kids their age, their inspiration did not come from the standard pop-punk that was being pumped through MTV and Top-40 radio, but instead from classic punk (The Ramones, The Cramps, The Misfits, The Clash,…) as well as 70’s and 80’s pop (Blondie, The GoGos, Cyndia Lauper,…). By fusing these styles together, they developed a sound exclusive to Cootie Shot.
Kathleen got her first set of drums for Christmas ’05. Nikki got her first guitar about six weeks later. Casey had her voice for a number of years. They began by writing their own music, ever on-the-look-out for a bass player. However, thing started to move a little faster then they planned when they got offered their first gig – a benefit at the Montrose Theatre on April 1, 2006 (Bobfest). With less than a month to go until the show, they invited Tim to play bass. Due to a misunderstanding, they thought Tim knew how to play bass…however, Tim did not know how to play bass. It was Saturday, March 11, three weeks until the show, so Tim learned to play bass.
The benefit was a success. Cootie Shot took the stage and played a five-song set which included three original songs (one of which they still play today) and two covers (The Undertones – “Teenage Kicks” and cooti-fied version of Madonna’s “Crazy For You”) They also sold 50 copies of a quickly thrown together two-song CD at $3 a pop with all proceeds going to "Bobfest". They were also invited to perform at the after party where they played the same five songs. Why? Cause that’s all they knew.
The attention they received from that show lead to more gigs and ultimately, Cootie Shot’s inclusion on the Volume 3 of the “Television Personalities” tribute CD to be released in 2008 on which they will be covering “Jackanory Stories”.
They continued to play locally and regional (Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey) for the next year or so honing there song writing and performing skills. Along with a group of other local bands, they have appeared regularly at the Downtown Grounds and the Montrose Theatre in Montrose, PA with dozens of touring bands.
Their first year also saw the release of their 5 song EP, multiple appearances on the punkchickradio.com webcast and over twenty five live performances. They have also had the opportunity to share the stage with bands like Wheatus, House of Fools, Self Against City, MC Chris and The Sunstreak.
It’s hard to explain what Cootie Shot sounds like since there’s nothing out there like them. They seemed to do to 70’s and 80’s pop what The Ramones did to 50’s and 60’s pop – which is strip it down, speed it up and give it a good kick in the ass. Their lyrics simultaneously reveal the innocence of puppy love alongside the wisdom of someone who’s had their heart ripped out and won’t let it happen again.
And their records in no-way capture the BTUs of energy that they give off when they play live. So “get your ass up out of bed” and come out and see them when they get to your town – you won’t be disappointed.
We hope to see you out there soon!