Cat Positive
Photo by Kristen Stanovich
Cat Positive is an emo/punk indie rock band from Bellingham, WA.
Cat Positive's sound is similar to 90's bands like The Weakerthans, Get Up Kids, Jimmy Eat World, with modern influences such as MJ Lenderman, Waxahatchee and Pine Grove. The band is often described as "nostalgic" and is heavily influenced by the DIY and basement show scene from the late 90's and early 00s. In June 2025 the band released their 2nd album "Electric City Boxing Club" and toured down the west coast in support of the record.
The album draws inspiration from Ballew's upbringing in Great Falls, MT, during the pre-9/11 innocence of youth, and was heavily influenced by visiting his hometown following the passing of his stepfather, Skip Walters. A kind and supportive figure in Ballew’s life, Skip’s memory is honored throughout the album’s themes of reflection and nostalgia.
The songs explore the frustrations of small-town life and the alienation of growing up in a conservative community, yet they also celebrate the simple joys of youth—discovering punk bands at community theaters, flipping through comic books, and visiting local video rental stores. Underneath it all, the album weaves a theme of fight-or-flight instincts and emotional dysregulation, examining Ballew’s struggles with depression. Despite moments of hardship, Electric City Boxing Club is ultimately a testament to resilience, connection, and the power of art and community.
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