By Staff | January 3, 2026

The Lousekateers are a Westchester-based DIY punk band that evolved from a "Craigslist miracle" into a genre-blending group incorporating elements of bubblegum pop-punk, ska, and alternative rock. Formed after a long musical hiatus by vocalist Gingerval and drummer Danimal, the band’s name and identity serve as a rebellious critique of Disney’s corporate culture and glee club image. Their songwriting often explores themes of finding happiness amidst world chaos, overcoming toxicity, and navigating the social isolation of the suburbs, notably in releases like Sayonara, Dude and Life After Mandals. Primarily a touring act due to the limited local scene, they maintain a prolific, high-energy presence influenced by 90s icons and simple advice from punk veterans to never stop creating.

Welcome. Starting off, tell us a little bit about your latest release, Sayonara Dude.

So many songs on “Sayonara, Dude” were born during the COVID era. Some of those songs are pretty damn old to us now, haha. Writing wise- a huge theme of the album was that you can be happy even when a lot of things in the world suck. This kind of took me out of my comfort zone since typically I write more angsty stuff. The album kicks off with “Boob Tube Nation”, which is all about getting away from the news (the first step in happiness, haha). Then later the songs are about overcoming heartbreak, letting go of people who are toxic, and running away from the things that hold you down. These were all big ideas in the writing. This was also our first album with Topo (Eddie-guitar) and Cheeseburger (Greg-bass), so it was extremely special to us. Topo wrote a lot of the music on this, so our musical style really evolved during this process. We went from bubble gum/pop punk/Ramonescore/borderline alternative to all of that plus ska punk. Topo also did all of the mixing and it was recorded mostly in his bedroom. He did an amazing job, and it was a lifechanger to get to work with him on the new music. It was truly exciting to get to experience new things and have so many talented people be a part of this album. Plus we are all close friends, so it was awesome to get to create this together.

You’ve mentioned the band was a "Craigslist and Bohemian Makeout party miracle." Which of those two events was more instrumental in the band's actual formation, and how?

Well, probably my awkward meetup with Dan on Craigslist because that’s what really started it all. I had been on a hiatus from playing music for about six years, and it was honestly one of the saddest times of my life. One day I decided that I wanted to play again, and I had been out of it so long I had no clue as to where to even begin. So, I hit up Craigslist and put out an ad seeking people to play with and to start a band. And you know Craigslist- there’s a better chance that you might meet someone and get turned into The Human Centipede rather than finding a decent drummer. Anyways, Dan “Danimal” (our drummer) responded and after months of back and forth, we finally got our shit together for practice. The first time he came over, it was so…uncomfortable (HAHAHAH!). He just walked past me, no conversation, and started playing the drums. Somewhere along the lines I forced him into talking to me and I was super straight up, I was like ”I want to tour. I don’t want to be a local band”, and he was like “Uh, ok”. Hahahha! Later we found our former bass player, El Chivo, and we started playing. I had had a bunch of old songs to bring into the mix and we started writing like maniacs to be able to record an EP so that we could tour. Our first tour was that year.

You’ve stated you’re on a mission to "expose the evils of Disney." What was the specific moment—or perhaps the specific animated movie—that pushed you over the edge?

I always preface this question with, ‘Don’t judge me, but I grew up in Florida”. I started college in Orlando and the Disney overload was real. I had friends who worked for the company and often heard so many bad things about the salaries and the way that they treated their employees. There’s a whole lot of darkness behind the mouse, and if you do some research you might be shocked…or maybe not. Also they epitomize corporate greed, which is not something I’m a fan of. I could go on forever. So that’s it in a nutshell- we took The “Mousekateers” who were the corny Disney glee club and turned it into “The Lousekateers”. And now we’re lice.

Reviewers say you sound like you stepped out of a time machine from 1995. If you could open for any '90s band at a defunct venue like the Chance or old-school Wetlands, who would it be?

This is a tough one, but I’d have to say The Lunachicks. I was a huge fan as a kid, and my whole dream in life was to one day grow up and be even half as cool as Theo Kogan. I absolutely loved their music, their off-beat style, and their attitudes.

Your 2021 album Life After Mandals has a very specific title. Are "mandals" the official enemy of the New York punk scene?

In short … yes! Please, whoever you are … do not wear those ugly ass man sandals to shows, or to anywhere for that matter! I’m not talking about flip flops. I’m talking about the ones with the complex straps that you see super old dudes wearing on the beach. Terrible!

“The Dude With The Rose Tattoos” feels like a love letter to a very specific vibe. Is there a story behind this?

“The Dude With The Rose Tattoos” (Sayonara, Dude! 2025) is basically a love letter to the anti-suburban, cigarette-smokin’, rose-tattooed dreamboat who crashes into a boring, beige world and lights it on fire. The song talks about how I felt stuck in a soul-sucking rut, surrounded by muted personalities and cookie-cutter nonsense, until this dude showed up—rolled sleeves, ink on his skin, zero apologies. He symbolized rebellion, expression, and everything loud and alive in a world that’s trying way too hard to be quiet and normal.

The inspiration- Yes, it’s based on a true story. I moved from New York City to Westchester, which is more upstate, and while I love the area, I really didn’t fit in with the soccer moms and housewives. For years, I couldn’t find anyone that I meshed with until I met him- “The Dude With The Rose Tattoo”. Although it didn’t work out, I felt relief in being able to connect with someone on that level.

Lousekast interviewed legends like Joe Queer and Bucket from The Toasters. What’s the most surprising piece of advice a punk veteran has given you during a recording?

Back when we first started, Joe Queer had been super cool to let us record our first album in his house. While we were there, he told me to just keep making music. Even though that advice sounds incredibly simple, it’s so easy to get caught up and overthink and self-criticize to the point where you don’t want to produce anymore. Or people become complacent and they don’t think that they need to write anything new. I think this is the death of a lot of bands. I personally love writing new stuff, in fact, I need to do it. And sometimes I’ll write something and be like “I hate it”, which prompts me to write more. The bottom line is, the more you produce, the better you become as a band, and the more that you learn.

Westchester isn't always thought of as a punk hub compared to the city. What is the biggest advantage (or disadvantage) of being a DIY band in the northern suburbs of New York?

In my opinion, Westchester is awful when it comes to the music scene. It’s mostly metal and cover bands, and there’s hardly any punk scene at all. This is why we are mostly a traveling band. We like to go to other states and cities where there is more of a scene, and we know there’s good people to hang out with at the shows. We rarely play in this area, other than our once a year show at The Green Growler in Croton (which we love).

Has a Metro-North delay ever directly inspired a lyric or a moment of frustration or angst on stage?

Hmmmm…not quite yet, but I’m sure it’s made me a more aggressive performer in some way! Metro North delays truly suck. There should be more songs written about that.

You aim to help people release the teenage angst they had back in high school. What was the most punk thing any of you did in high school that got you in trouble?

I for one was always in trouble in high school. The assistant principal at my school literally had my mom on speed dial. One particular incident that I remember was went our class went to Disney (of all places) on a field trip and I got in trouble for jumping and swimming in the fountains…Then later at the hotel my friend and I snuck out, and climbed up to the roof of the hotel to make out with some boys. While we were up there, someone got hurt, started bleeding all over the place, and we all got busted. I was banned from trips for the rest of the year. Back then it was hilarious to me, but in hindsight I feel really bad for my teachers! I was such a little jerk.

Your live shows are described as "audacious." What’s the weirdest thing that has ever happened in a Lousekateers show, either one stage or in the crowd?

We’ve had sooooooo many odd instances at shows throughout the years, but one that pops in my head was when we were in Canada a few years ago and this guy came in half shirtless and was whistling and rubbing his nips at me on stage. I kept trying to ignore it, but later he found me outside and cornered me into a conversation with him. Long story short I said something that pissed him off and he left in a huff barking “You could’ve been ma wife!” at me. It was very strange.

Who in the band is most likely to lose their gear, who is most likely to start a fight with a mascot, and who would you say is the "responsible one"?

Lose their gear- Dan (Danimal)

Responsible- Eddie (Topo)

Fight with a mascot- Me (Gingerval)

Your 2023 release Mandemic covers a lot of ground. If you had to soundtrack a post-apocalyptic Westchester, which song from that album is the opening credits theme?

Social Distancing-probably because I rarely find anyone to connect with here, and have always enjoyed being on my own.

Between the releases and the podcast, you’re always busy. What is the one thing The Lousekateers haven't done yet that is on the bucket list for 2026?

I have a pipe dream of getting to play with some of the iconic punk bands that we love…even just getting to open a show or two. I’d love to play with The Huntingtons. It would be really cool to play with The Interrupters too. I’d also like to eventually play in more countries and also at The Punk Rock Museum.

Anyone you'd like to thank?

Everyone that we love in the underground- these people have literally become like family to us. Some bands in specific that we love as people and players- Typhoid Rosie, The Downstrokes, The Prozacs, Dead End Lane/Italian Blood, Stephen from New Rock City, Dawn Fontaine, and so many more people.

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