Katatonik - Coming Soon

Katatonik - Coming Soon

BY Kelsey Sheppard

Three years ago, a couple of local musicians started haunting open mics at O'Donnell's Pub with a mission: build a band. What began as casual scouting quickly turned into Katatonik—a high-energy, genre-blurring force now making noise across the Southern Pines and Fayetteville scenes.

The lineup reads like a cast of characters. Matthew, 36, fronts the band with powerhouse vocals and “questionable dancing.” Corey, 39, handles lead guitar as the resident “dude abider.” Davis—age 0, because “time is a construct”—floats between bass, keys, and vocals as the band’s enigma. Kevin, 39, plays rhythm guitar while doubling as sound technician. He is the tall architect of their sonic punch. Mark, 36, “the hottest band member,” anchors on the drums. He brings a hip-hop background that gives Katatonik its rhythmic edge.

If Katatonik had a thesis statement, it would be shouted, not written: “LET’S FUCKING GOOOO.” That ethos pulses through everything they do. Their sound lives somewhere between rock, hip-hop, and full-throttle party music. Influences stretch wildly—from Van Halen and Stone Sour to Prince, Yellowcard, and Buddy Rich. That range isn’t a gimmick; it’s the glue. Each member draws from vastly different musical influences, creating a live show that refuses to sit still.

Katatonik builds setlists like roller coasters, shifting genres and tempos to keep audiences guessing. At one New Year’s Eve show, a fan crowd-surfed while passing out swigs from a stolen bottle of mayonnaise. Chaotic? Yes. On-brand? Absolutely.

Whether at home or on the road, the energy never dips. For Katatonik, the biggest challenge isn’t geography—it’s community building. Their philosophy is simple: show up, support other artists, and the scene will support you back. You can catch them live at Paddy's for the first time on March 14th.