FIVE QUESTIONS: MATT RICHMOND OF CATAPULT

Catapult perform live at Past Present Future Dec 9th in Hamilton

Matt Richmond is somewhat of a 905 music community stalwart. Having made waves in the late 90’s early 2000’s with his band Always Outnumbered, he would later join The Video Dead, The Saint Alvia Cartel and Grade. As a multi-instrumentalist, he also became a de facto member of bands like The Reason and Organ Thieves, who can be seen performing at this year's Past Presents Future Festival in Hamilton.

Richmond and long time collaborator Greg Fisher (Always Outnumbered, The Video Dead, The Saint Alvia Cartel) formed their current offering Catapult in 2010 and have been casually making the rounds ever since. Writing, recording, and putting out music is in their blood.

In 2023, Richmond launched a Past Lives; a digital record label focused on reissuing some of his favourite records growing up that were yet to be released on digital platforms.

A true unsung hero of the Southern Ontario music community, we’re thrilled to present: Five Questions With Matt Richmond of Catapult.

Matt Richmond playing drums.

Catch Catapult on Saturday Dec 9th at Past Presents Future in Hamilton as part of The 905 Board Holiday Reunion - tickets on sale here.

WHEN AND WHERE WAS CATAPULT FORMED?

Catapult started as an outlet to write some of my own material while I was still playing with the Saint Alvia Cartel, around 2010-2011.I amassed ideas for around 10 songs and went in to record them with Ian Blackwood (The Artist Life, Jersey), and played all the instruments myself.

I pared it down to 3 songs and released it as the first EP. At that time I got Greg Fisher on guitar, Mike Casarin on bass and Jamie Parkhill on drums and we began playing shows in the Hamilton / Burlington area.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?

I can’t recall exact dates, but I believe it was all in 1996 when I started seeing bands. Treble Charger and Rusty played separate shows at the Yellow Sub in Burlington (both notably opened by Slurpy Mundae) Also, Moist at the Hamilton Convention Center. 90’s Can-Con baby!

Those were the first real concert experiences I had where I went to see bands that I was getting into as a young person.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST “BIG SHOW" / WHAT WAS YOUR BAND’S FIRST SHOW?

Catapult has mainly played small, local shows. Playing with the Fullblast at a Burly Calling several years ago was a big highlight. But our first show was at the Casbah in Hamilton in the lounge. We booked our own show and had Say Yes and Chuck Coles play with us.

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST SHOW OR FUNNIEST SHOW MEMORY?

Ok so this is not a Catapult show story, but a good and recent one… I was playing in London, On. at a small club as part of our occasional Rancid tribute (with Greg Taylor, Chuck Coles and Greg Fisher) just a couple of months ago.

This particular venue was very small, very tight. Perfect for an intimate punk rock show.

There was a guy standing right up front. Like RIGHT up front. Basically in Chuck’s face. He seemed to have no real interest in our set, and he had a bravado about him, almost flexing his ignorance. Each song would pass and he would not move, barely paying attention, obviously a bit drunk, and angering us. What’s his problem? Does he want to fight one of us for some reason? This was supposed to be an intimate, inclusive show/party.

We trudge our way through the set and tear our gear down. All while still anticipating some potential action from this guy, but nothing.

So we asked some friends about him.

“What’s his problem?”

“Oh, no problem at all.” They say. . .

“He’s blind.”

"Ooooooooh. Shit."

"Our bad."

It all made sense after that. Fortunately we stayed calm and kept our mouths shut. Phew

WHAT’S NEXT FOR CATAPULT?