Nekokat
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nekokat
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| origin = Los Angeles, California United States
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| years_active = 2015–2018
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|The Ready Set|The Summer Set}}
| website = {{URL|wearenekokat.com/}}
| past_members = * Jordan Witzigrueter
}}
Nekokat was an American synthpop band and supergroup that originated in Los Angeles, California. The band formed in 2015 and is composed of Jordan Witzigreuter of The Ready Set, Cameron Walker of Twin XL, and Jess Bowen of The Summer Set.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/supergroup-nekokat-gimme-a-break-exclusive-single-premiere-6583132/|title=New Supergroup Nekokat's Gimme A Break: Exclusive Single Premiere|magazine=Billboard|author=Nick Williams|date=June 2, 2015|access-date=January 2, 2023}}
History
The band's name is a reference to the Japanese word for cat, neko. Singer Jordan Witzigreuter had thought of the name from big inflatable stage props he had on a tour.{{cite web|url=https://idobi.com/high-life/inbox-jukebox-presents-nekokats-new-track-i-believe-in-what-you-are/|title=Inbox Jukebox Presents: Nekokat’s New Track I Believe In What You Are|website=idobi Radio|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=January 2, 2023}}
Nekokat was formed in 2015, and consists of three members. Their first single, "Gimme A Break" was released in June 2015. According to guitarist Cameron Walker, the song started as a track idea Wiztigreuter made. The song was originally intended to be a track featuring Bowen on The Ready Set’s fifth studio album, I Will Be Nothing Without Your Love. The band released their debut EP, Communication that same month.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/communication-ep/1444863223|title=Communication - EP by Nekokat|website=Apple Music|access-date=January 2, 2023}} The group premiered a music video for "The Reckless" in November 2015.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/the_ready_set_summer_set_members_unveil_new_nekokat_music_video_exclusive/|title=The Ready Set, Summer Set members unveil new Nekokat music video (exclusive)|magazine=Alternative Press|date=November 5, 2015|access-date=May 31, 2021}} In late 2015, the group released their second EP, Communication II.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/communication-ii-ep/1055711832|title=Communication II - EP by Nekokat|website=Apple Music|access-date=January 2, 2023}}
In 2017 the group released a new single titled, "Melt".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/nekokat_summer_set_and_ready_set_premiere_new_song_meltlisten/|title=Nekokat (Summer Set, Ready Set) premiere new song, Melt — listen|magazine=Alternative Press|author=Lindy Smith|date=January 8, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2023}} In September 2017, the group released another single titled, "Take" along with its music video.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9CIsPCBLDs|title=Nekokat- Take (Official Video)|access-date=May 31, 2021}} As a reaction to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, the group along with Switchfoot, Thrice, Copeland and many others, joined together to share a cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down" to the Parkland community during the annual Heavy and Light event.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/twloha_thrice_switchfoot_nekokat_cover_tom_petty_parkland_tribute/|title=Members of Thrice, Switchfoot, Nekokat and more cover Tom Petty for Parkland tribute — watch|magazine=Alternative Press|author=Maggie Dickman|date=March 14, 2018|access-date=January 2, 2023}} In June 2018, the band released their third and final EP, Pleasure Beach.{{cite web|url=https://www.elicitmagazine.com/nekokat-pleasure-beach-ep/|title=Nekokat Release Highly Anticipated Pleasure Beach EP|date=June 15, 2018|access-date=May 31, 2021}}
Musical style
Their musical style has been described as pop punk and electropop.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.altpress.com/nekokat_band_i_believe_in_what_you_are_new_single_2018/|title=Nekokat (Summer Set, Ready Set) drop new song — listen|magazine=Alternative Press|author=Beth Casteel|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=January 2, 2023}} The trio has cited inspiration from Saves The Day, Passion Pit and The Cure.{{cite web|url=https://preludepress.com/news/2015/06/18/nekokat-stream-their-debut-ep-communication/|title=Nekokat Stream Their Debut EP Communication|date=June 18, 2015|author=Dom Vigil|access-date=January 2, 2023}}
Band members
- Jordan Witzigreuter – lead vocals {{small|(2015–2018)}}
- Cameron Walker – vocals, guitar, bass {{small|(2015–2018)}}
- Jess Bowen – drums, percussion, backing vocals {{small|(2015–2018)}}
Discography
Nekokat has released three EPs, ten singles and two music videos.
=Extended Plays=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan="1" width="42"| Year !rowspan="1" width="210"| EP details !rowspan="1" width="200"| Track listing |
| 2015
|align="left"| Communication
| {{Collapsible list|title=Track listing|1. "The Reckless"|2. "Gimme a Break"|3. "Communication"|4. "Don't Be Loud"}} |
| 2015
|align="left"| Communication II
| {{Collapsible list|title=Track listing|1. "Best Year Ever"|2. "Emery"|3. "Realm"|4. "Cut My Teeth"|5. "What I Said"}} |
| 2018
|align="left"| Pleasure Beach
| {{Collapsible list|title=Track listing|1. "Board It Up"|2. "I Believe In What You Are"|3. "My Brain"|4. "Traffic"|5. "You You You"|6. "Crossfire"}} |
=Singles=
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Director(s) ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| "The Reckless"
| 2015 | OMG! Everywhere |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Take"
| 2017 | Ryan Blewett |