Kato (3)

Kato were formed in the spring of 1996 by songwriter and frontman Keith Ayling. From humble beginnings in a small derelict studio called Red Box the band have come a long way. After just six rehearsals they rushed to Manchester's Cutting Rooms to give birth to The Thirty Nine Steps - the debut ep. A favourable press honoured them with many UK gigs including Greenbelt Mainstage. A year later and the second ep Seasider hit european shores and was greeted with massive press and public praise. The Kato sound was born. Drawing from Keith's love of his seaside home and even the view from his window, their 97 ep Seasider is a rollercoaster of an album mixing dark, grungy pop with delicate passionate melodies. From the opener 'Superhero', which reached the Unisong 99 world songwriting finals, to the intimate 'Walking on Water' closing track there is no break from the unique brand of soul-quenching pop/rock. But just listening to the music is only half the story. Kato have a desire to perform which has taken them to many different countries and many different crowds. This desire is evident - there is energy and passion that transcends a purely commercial existence. Kato are not taking over the world - at least not for commercial reasons, but they are trying to change it. Songs To Help You Survive (2002, CD) Welcome To My World (2001, CD) Home Movie (1999) Seasider (1997) Thirty Nine Steps (1996) Sense (1995) Know (1994)