Supposedly Fox & Cats’ name comes from an inside joke about actress Megan Fox and the household animals who star in a million Internet videos. You might ask the band about it, because they seem pretty darn approachable. Originally founded in 2011 as the duo of self-described “best friends” Josh Willems (guitar/vox) and Nicole Wigginton (drums), Fox & Cats has been building a steady following for the past few years, and released the EP This Is Your Brain On Love in 2013. The band recently added a third member, bassist Chris Dunaway, making Fox & Cats pretty much Houston’s newest power trio.
To their punkish, emo-charged modern rock – bright vocals, stormy riffs and urgent drums – Fox and Cats add clever song titles such as “What Sharp Teeth I Have,” “It’s Called Soccer and I Don’t Care” or “Gummy Vitamins,” plus the odd earnest tune like “Be So Kind” for good measure. You might have seen them co-starring as Say Anything at last month’s “Houston Musicians Under Cover” benefit night at Fitz, where Friday they’re set to release their first full-length LP, Ampersand. Basically Fox & Cats sounds like the kind of band that has a serious record collection, so we asked them to pick out five favorites.
SAY ANYTHING, …Is a Real Boy
This one’s my favorite album of all time. I haven’t ever found an album I enjoy listening to more. If I’m gonna die alone on a desert island at least I’ll go out rocking out.
BRIGHT EYES, Cassadaga
This album means so much to me. I don’t think I’d want to live without being able to go back and listen to it.
ANNUALS, Be He Me
I’ve always said if someone gave me the chance to hear one last song before I die it would be “Sway” off this album. The whole thing is great from start to finish, but that song in particular takes me away to somewhere absolutely perfect.
DJ KOOL, Let Me Clear My Throat
This ones here in case I feel like getting drunk off fermented coconuts and getting down. Which would likely be the case if I was to be completely alone and probably bored out of my mind.
SPACE JAM SOUNDTRACK
Probably the best collection of songs ever compiled. It would be a sin against myself and all of mankind not to have a copy with me on my sandy prison. Everybody get up…it’s time to slam now. We got a real jam goin’ down. Welcome to the Space Jam.
Fox & Cats release Ampersand tonight at Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak, with special guests Madd Comrades, Mantra Love and DJ Tempty. Doors open at 8 p.m.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2015.
