The Bearcats – Self Titled Maxi EP

The Bearcats are a rockabilly quartet from Sheffield England whose debut self titled Maxi EP dropped at the back end of 2020. Full disclosure, this is a band that I first came across when I attended the city’s Tramilines festival back in 2015 and was fortunate enough to interview for this website (Interview available here). At that time the band were a trio (with no drummer) playing mostly covers and my partner and I stumbled across their set at one of the festivals fringe events and were blown away.

Fast forward 5(ish) years and the band has now expanded to a quartet, with new double bass player Steve Fotios and permanent drummer Dave Seville joining founding members Mark Lyall (Guitar) and Jody White (Vocals and principal songwriter). Their debut of 8 original songs was self-produced and recorded at Tesla Studios in their home city. The EP kicks off with Gone Gone Gone, an upbeat tune showcasing everything that’s great about the band – excellent country guitar licks, a rhythm section completely in harmony all supporting Jody White’s sultry rasp exploring an ages old tale of a woman scorned. This Heart and Walk Away follows the same formula to equally excellent effect and it’s clear the Bearcats are students of the genre and should tick a lot of boxes for anyone with an ear for melody.

The Devil and the Dog ventures into slower territory which is a welcome change of pace, if a little expected, but Guilty takes us back into familiar country territory in all the right ways and this journey is extended with the fabulous love long Kissing Frogs that really allows the range in Jody White’s vocals to shine

Rockabilly can often be a genre following a strict rulebook and not one that embraces innovation, but that’s no bad thing especially when you have bands like The Bearcats who infuse just enough elements of soul, country and good old fashioned rock and roll to make themselves stand out. Plus who doesn’t love a bit of rockabilly when it’s done right. The Bearcats Maxi EP certainly is certainly an example of a band who love making this type music and it shows.

The Bearcats Maxi EP is available now from their Bandcamp