Catalysts
Emotionally heavy songs and arena-sized hooks, esoteric lyrics and the life experience to back them up.
Basically: big feelings, loud guitars, and knees that click when standing up.
The Story Behind CATALYSTS
CATALYSTS started the way most sensible life decisions don't - during a global pandemic, in our 30s, with jobs, kids, responsibilities, and absolutely no spare time.
Making music with your best friends turns out to be cheaper than therapy and far more satisfying. It's hoe we connect, create, and stay relatively sane while pretending adulthood is under control.
'Fix Your Heart' music video
Two of us previously played together in The Kennedy Soundtrack, with the rest joining through the South Wales music scene. One guitarist (naming no names) has allegedly played in approximately 75% of Welsh rock bands over the past 18 years. This may be an exaggeration. Only slightly.
Paul joined instead of travelling the world - a decision we regularly remind him of whenever morale dips.
CATALYSTS evolved slowly, like a mixtape passed from hand to hand over years. The songs changed, the lineup shifted, but it always sounded right.
Our first proper gig supporting Punk Rock Factory at The Patriot was sold out, sweaty, loud and full of friends - one of those "oh... this might actually work" moments that permanently ruins your ability to quit.
Then in 2025 we appeared on BBC Casualty performing our original song Sparks. The episode involved a gig, a stabbing, and a stampede. We'd like to officially clarify that none of these those things have ever happened at a real CATALYSTS show.
The green room snacks were elite though. 10/10. Would fake-gig again.
Motivation fades. Commitment doesn't. That's how you rise Above Average.
'Sparks' music video
David Challenger
Vocals
Elliot Blake
Guitar
Craig O'Connor
Guitar
Paul Owen
Bass
Haitham Alhardan
Drums
☕ Coffee consumption is medically questionable.
🎸 Elliot plays guitar everywhere. Everywhere.
🚻 As elder emos, pre-set toilet planning is essential for tour logistics.
⚽Paul, Craig & Haitham play five-a-side football.
🎬If CATALYSTS were a film: Fight Club (you do not talk about CATALYSTS... except please absolutely talk about CATALYSTS
💥 Worst gigs involve technical chaos and emotional damage
🎤Best gigs are when the crowd sings louder than we do
🎤 Ongoing band argument: what actually qualifies as "too emo"
🎶 Tour playlist: 2000s emo classics, Sleep Token, Bad Omens, Electric Callboy
The Serious Bit (briefly)
Honesty. Vulnerability. Catharsis. Community. Welsh pride. Connection over vanity metrics.
We'd take 100 people who care over a million empty plays.
Progress over perfection beasts waiting forever.
TikTok taught us that.
This partnership exists because values overlap - people over ego, growth over perfection, and building something that actually means something.
The merch is made using a variety of materials and responsible production, designed to last longer than the average post-gig hangover.
No upfront cost to the band. Shared profit model. Creative control stays with CATALYSTS.
Congrats - you've made it this far
That means you should probably wear the merch.
Or listen to the music.
Preferably both.
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