Meet The Thieves
Genevieve Vieira | May 14, 2010 | Comments 0
Catlike Thieves is the name of Durban’s four piece rock band thieving their way into South African music scene.
Many of us have at some point in our lives said to a friend ‘Let’s start a band’. Whether or not we followed through with this proclamation, we were eventually faced with the realisation that it’s not going to happen and moved on.
However, when Shane Strachan (vocals and acoustic guitar) looked at his childhood friend Philip Smit (drums) and said ‘Let’s start a band’ that is exactly what they did. Teaming up with Gareth Strachan (bass) and Justin Creswell (lead guitar), the crowd became known as ‘Catlike Thieves’.
Making their appearance in early 2008, the Thieves have played alongside distinguished artists such as Zebra and Giraffe, Stealing Love Jones, Parletones, AKing and more.
Drawing on the influences of Yellowcard, ACDC and even the Beach Boys, the group have managed to create a distinctive sound they describe as riverside rock. Think old school meets funk-blues. It is all really the influence of Shane who likens his old school style to wooden washing line pegs. Philip chuckles and says, “It’s true, Shane is very old school and it leaks into the music.”
With a highly anticipated debut album “Nine Lives” set to be released in June, and a successful four track EP to back it, the Thieves are rapidly making headway as SA’s band to look out for. Their songs are currently being playlisted on a number of campus radio stations across the country, with the single “She Smiles” ranking 3rd on the Pukfm SA band poll.
When asked how they felt about this accomplishment, Shane exclaims “Being in a band is easy, being in a successful band is a full time job with a bit of days of our lives. It’s tough but well worth it.”
Shane writes most of the songs and draws his inspiration from his experiences and the people around him. Not hard to do when you’re such a people’s person. The band describes him as an over eager beaver who can never sit still, but it is this attitude that keeps the band together and running smoothly. “It’s amazing to finally be recognised for something you’ve been working on for so long” Philip exclaims.
Brought together by a lifetime of friendship and a passion for music, their infectious live performance culminates into a happy-go-lucky energy that leaves the fans craving more.
It is no surprise that Catlike Thieves have such a mesmerising stage presence given that Shane and Gareth are the sons of a musician and have been attending gigs since their early ages. “Being on stage and making music is the reason I wake up in the morning.” Shane says, “If I can make someone smile with my music then I have accomplished my goal.”
After a successful tour in Cape Town last year, the band admits they are ready to take their music to new places, with optimistic plans to visit Johannesburg, Pretoria and Potchefstroom later this year.
This is not a force to be reckoned with and their great determination to do what they love and get their music heard is channelling them to new heights.
Look out for Catlike Thieves at the Peconwood Farm in Hilton on 15 May.
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