Catatonia (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Founder | Mark Roberts, Cerys Matthews |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Products | Alternative rock music, albums, singles, EPs |
Catatonia was an alternative rock group from Wales that gained significant attention during the mid to late 1990s. Established in 1992 by Mark Roberts and Cerys Matthews, the original ensemble also included Dafydd Ieuan of Super Furry Animals on drums, Paul Jones handling bass duties, and Clancy Pegg on keyboards. This initial formation released two EPs titled For Tinkerbell and Hooked.
Before the debut full-length album Way Beyond Blue was recorded, Pegg was removed from the band. During the album’s production, drummer Aled Richards took over from Ieuan, who departed to concentrate on Super Furry Animals. Guitarist Owen Powell joined the group for live performances supporting the album and remained a member until Catatonia disbanded in 2001. Their single "You've Got a Lot to Answer For" became their first UK Top 40 entry in September 1996. The band's major breakthrough occurred in early 1998 with the release of International Velvet and its single "Mulder and Scully," which came out within a fortnight of each other. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling more than 900,000 copies and receiving triple platinum status from the British Phonographic Industry. Meanwhile, "Mulder and Scully" climbed to number three on the UK Singles Chart, marking Catatonia’s highest chart position.
The subsequent single "Road Rage" peaked at number five in May 1998, garnering nominations at both the Brit Awards and Ivor Novello Awards, and winning a Q Award. The title track from International Velvet gained additional prominence when performed during the opening ceremony of the 1999 Rugby World Cup held at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Matthews collaborated with Space on "The Ballad of Tom Jones" in March 1998 and later teamed up with Tom Jones himself for a rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" released in December 1999. Their last top ten hit, "Dead from the Waist Down," came out in April 1999 as part of the album Equally Cursed and Blessed. Despite rumors about their breakup, they issued Paper Scissors Stone in 2001 following a two-year break from touring.
Matthews’ battle with alcohol addiction led her to enter rehabilitation in mid-2001; as a result, the tour supporting Paper Scissors Stone was canceled, and shortly afterward, the band announced their split. After disbanding, Matthews embarked on a solo career while Powell became a radio host and joined charity supergroup The Stand for a fundraising single. Critics lauded Catatonia for their metaphor-rich lyrics and poetic songwriting style, predominantly crafted by Matthews and Roberts. The band distanced themselves from indie labels, emphasizing their dedication to pop music. Catatonia is widely regarded as one of the defining acts of the 1990s Cool Cymru era.
Formation (1992)
The widely circulated story that Mark Roberts discovered Cerys Matthews busking in Cardiff in 1992 was largely fabricated by media outlets seeking an engaging origin tale. Although both did engage in busking activities, they did not meet under those circumstances. Matthews had admired Roberts’ previous group Y Cyrff before they started dating and collaborating musically at the end of 1991. Their personal relationship and songwriting partnership lasted five years, with many experiences reflected in their lyrics. The band’s name was inspired by Matthews’ work at a mental health institution combined with themes from Aldous Huxley’s book The Doors of Perception, representing states of intense pleasure and sleep. They composed the song "Sweet Catatonia" and derived their band name from it. Under the name Sweet Catatonia, Matthews and Roberts recorded demos at Cardiff’s youth center "Grassroots."
During this time, they frequently crossed paths with Owen Powell, guitarist for Colour 45 and also a Welsh teacher at Brynteg Comprehensive School. Both bands competed in the Cardiff Bay Music Fiesta; Colour 45 finished tenth and performed live while Sweet Catatonia placed forty-fifth. Roberts and Matthews brought drummer Stephen "Frog" Jenkins from U Thant into their fold and continued producing bilingual songs in Welsh and English. To sustain themselves financially, they performed busking sessions as well as live gigs. Matthews was once considered as a female vocalist by The Pooh Sticks but ultimately chose to remain with Catatonia. Additional recordings featured Guto Pryce, including the track "Gyda Gwen," which attracted interest from Rhys Mwyn at Crai Records.
The Crai EPs, "Whale", and "Bleed" (1993–95)
After Jenkins and Pryce exited the band, Mwyn coordinated the addition of Dafydd Ieuan from Ffa Coffi Pawb on drums, Paul Jones formerly of Y Cyrff on bass, and London-based Clancy Pegg on keyboards to join Matthews and Roberts. The group abbreviated their name to "Catatonia". Utilizing his industry connections, Mwyn secured appearances on Welsh-language television and expanded their live performances beyond Cardiff. They supported Mwyn’s punk outfit Anrhefn during a German tour and headlined a bilingual Welsh concert organized by Plaid Cymru in 1993.
Although primarily signed to Crai as promoters, the band recorded several EPs upon Roberts' recommendation. Their debut EP, For Tinkerbell, included early tracks such as "Sweet Catatonia" and received airplay on BBC Radio 1 through Mark Radcliffe. It was designated NME’s record of the week, significantly raising their profile. Matthews later admitted she found performing live challenging at that stage. The single "Bleed" was released via Nursery Records. Following For Tinkerbell, the band secured their first national interview in Melody Maker.
With encouragement from journalist Iestyn George and Hue Williams of The Pooh Sticks, Catatonia made their initial London appearances in late 1993, including a show at the Samuel Beckett pub alongside Anrhefn and Margi Clarke. Subsequent Welsh media exposure continued along with an NME feature; Matthews invited George to manage the band but he declined due to lack of experience.
In February 1994, they recorded the next EP Hooked under producer Ken Nelson. A critical London gig aimed at impressing music executives faltered due to inadequate preparation and substance use, resulting in a poor performance and financial loss. However, a later show at The Falcon demonstrated marked improvement. Richard Lowe from MRM management became their first official manager. While promoting Hooked, they appeared on Welsh television but encountered another problematic gig in Newport.
MRM arranged a brief French tour in May 1994 followed by a UK support tour with Salad. At July’s Cnapan Music Festival, Matthews was initially refused entry by security until actor Rhys Ifans intervened.
Following Mwyn’s departure as Crai ended its involvement, MRM removed Pegg from the lineup shortly thereafter. After her exit, the single "Whale" was released on Rough Trade Records under tight deadlines and earned NME’s single of the week accolade similar to their earlier EP. The group attracted mainstream attention for incidents such as being ejected from a train at Swindon over a punk dispute and receiving a ban from Camden’s Underworld club after swearing in Welsh.
Another single, "Bleed," was recorded in November 1994 and released via Nursery Records in February 1995. Geoff Travis of Rough Trade extended a £350,000 offer for them to sign with Blanco y Negro Records, a Warner Bros. subsidiary, which they accepted.
Way Beyond Blue (1996)
The band commenced work on their debut album with producer Paul Sampson. Ieuan introduced Sampson to Aled Richards, who subsequently replaced him as Catatonia's drummer when Ieuan departed to join the Super Furry Animals. The label funded a photoshoot featuring photographer Gered Mankowitz for Matthews; however, both the band and management disliked the images produced. Instead, Warner Bros approved black-and-white photos taken by press staff showing Matthews drinking wine while wearing a Pepsi T-shirt for promotional use. Recording sessions at Sawmills Studios, Cornwall were marked by tensions between Matthews and Roberts, culminating in Sampson's dismissal following disagreements over "Sweet Catatonia".
Performing live without substances surprised critics positively. The release of "Sweet Catatonia" was postponed until January 1996 due to producer changes. New producer Stephen Street began working with them at Maison Rouge Studios in London; the band found his approach more collaborative. During recording, Ieuan left to join Super Furry Animals and was replaced by Aled Richards. Upon completion of recording, live shows resumed and Colour 45’s Owen Powell was recruited as a second guitarist; Powell had previously worked as a technician for Super Furry Animals.
Prior to the album launch, fanclub members received a special vinyl featuring "Blow the Millenium, Blow" and "Beautiful Sailor". On 18 January 1996, "Sweet Catatonia" entered the UK singles chart for the first time, peaking at number 61.[1] MRM sought to expand their European audience through the compilation The Sublime Magic of Catatonia. The band toured across the UK supported by Space, releasing "Lost Cat" on 22 April which reached number 41 on the charts. They performed at major festivals including Reading Festival, Phoenix Festival, and London’s Madstock! 3.
Radio play increased with "You've Got a Lot to Answer For", which broke into the top 40 in September 1996.[1] After delays, Way Beyond Blue was released on 30 September featuring twelve tracks including some previously issued as EPs or B-sides. Despite commercial gains, Matthews and Roberts ended their personal relationship soon after but continued collaborating professionally. Warner Bros planned to release "Lost Cat" in the U.S., but label complications prevented this.[2]
International Velvet (1997–98)
While Roberts was working on a follow-up album, Catatonia toured alongside fellow Welsh group The Manic Street Preachers and issued the compilation Tourist EP exclusively in Japan. In January 1997, they started crafting demos in Cardiff, drawing inspiration from the breakup between Roberts and Matthews. Recording sessions occurred in June at Monnow Valley Studio located in Rockfield, Monmouthshire. Before this, the band toured the United States as support for The Boo Radleys, performing in cities such as New York, Austin, and Los Angeles. In April, a ten-night tour across the UK introduced new tracks including "Mulder and Scully".
Facing worries about potential dismissal from Warner Bros, themes of which surfaced in songs like "That's All Folks" and "I Am the Mob", Catatonia collaborated with producer TommyD, preferring this partnership over their previous work on Way Beyond Blue. The record label insisted that "I Am the Mob" be released as the lead single instead of "Mulder and Scully". This decision led to delays while the band played various festivals throughout summer 1997; notably, their planned performance at Glastonbury Festival was cancelled. Matthews gained increased media attention due to controversial conduct, including a widely reported incident following the 1997 Welsh devolution referendum.
Warner Bros further postponed the album by demanding the removal of the six-minute anti-label track "That's All Folks". Meanwhile, the music video for "I Am The Mob" was directed by Kevin Allen. Upon its release on 6 October, the single briefly reached number 40 on the charts. Catatonia then supported Space, who had several top 20 hits at the time, before launching their own tour originally intended to promote the forthcoming album, which remained withheld by Warner Bros. The label replaced "That's All Folks" with "My Selfish Gene" and agreed to release "Mulder and Scully" in January 1998 followed shortly by International Velvet.
On 19 January 1998, "Mulder and Scully" entered the UK charts at number 3, becoming Catatonia’s highest-charting single. International Velvet emerged as their breakthrough record, reaching number one on the UK Album Charts and selling over 900,000 copies within just 22 months. This success earned it triple platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry. The album was shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize in 1998 but ultimately lost to Gomez.
From this album’s five singles, "Road Rage" received widespread critical praise, securing nominations for best single at both the Ivor Novello Awards and Brit Awards 1999, while winning best single at the Q Awards. Despite its acclaim, it peaked at number 5 on UK charts, falling short of "Mulder and Scully". Later singles "Strange Glue" and "Game On" reached positions 11 and 33 respectively.
The album’s title track "International Velvet," notable for its Welsh-language verses and the line “Every day when I wake up I thank the Lord I’m Welsh,” attracted significant media attention for its affirmative depiction of Welsh identity. Matthews explained that it sought to challenge negative stereotypes about Wales. Catatonia performed this anthem before an audience of 70,000 during the opening ceremony of the 1999 Rugby World Cup held at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Although International Velvet marked Catatonia’s debut release in the United States, it failed to chart there; The Washington Post described it as “overlooked.”
Equally Cursed and Blessed (1999–2000)
After the triumph of International Velvet and an extensive touring schedule, Catatonia returned to Monnow Valley Studio to work on their third studio album. Encouraged by TommyD, they had developed preliminary tracks using a DPS12 hard disk recorder during their US tour, which they later polished in the studio. With reduced pressure from their record label due to previous achievements, the band approached this project with increased confidence.
Announced in January 1999, Equally Cursed and Blessed was released on 12 April, following the lead single "Dead from the Waist Down" which came out on 22 March. The album secured the number one spot on the UK charts, a period during which three of their albums simultaneously featured in the UK top 40. Nevertheless, singles from this album did not match the commercial success of earlier releases: "Dead From The Waist Down" peaked at number seven, "Londinium" reached number 20, and "Karaoke Queen" charted at number 36.
In May, Catatonia performed two open-air concerts at Llangollen International Pavilion before an audience of 6,000 as a precursor to their largest show at Margam Country Park, near Port Talbot. Guitarist Powell emphasized that Llangollen was notable for being their first experience with audience sing-alongs; Matthews mentioned that Margam Park was chosen for its distinctive venue qualities.
The band supported R.E.M. during two European concerts in June, including an incident in Berlin where Matthews briefly appeared onstage with R.E.M. Despite the band's preference for releasing "Karaoke Queen" as a single, the label insisted on "Londinium," frustrating Matthews especially given that the single's video budget exceeded that of the entire album. In July, longtime roadie Barry Cawley died in a cycling accident; his presence had been crucial in keeping Matthews grounded.
Seeking another breakthrough in the US with Equally Cursed and Blessed, the album included two tracks from International Velvet, such as "Road Rage". Scheduled US television appearances and media interviews were canceled after drummer Richards was hospitalized due to appendicitis; rumors about a band split emerged but were refuted by official representatives. The group continued touring across Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
Paper Scissors Stone and dissolution (2001)
Following a break from live shows after the 1999 NetAid concert, Catatonia returned to perform at a charity event on 28 April supporting Unison’s living wage campaign held at the Manchester Evening News Arena. Matthews underscored the significance of the cause and expressed excitement about debuting new songs from their forthcoming album, initially titled It's What's Not There That Makes What's There What It Is. By May, this was renamed Paper Scissors Stone. Matthews described this record as more robust and concentrated than their earlier work, showcasing a more experimental style paired with passionate vocals.
Catatonia headlined the NME stage at T in the Park 2001 on 7 July following a warm-up performance at The Lighthouse, Glasgow. The lead single, "Stone by Stone", received harsh criticism from NME, which rated it one out of ten and dismissed it as outdated and irritating. In contrast, Andy Gill of The Independent regarded it as featuring their most memorable hook since their previous hits.
In mid-2001, Matthews entered drug rehabilitation to address issues with alcohol and smoking and revealed she was struggling with depression. As a result, the Paper Scissors Stone tour was canceled in August due to her ongoing treatment for anxiety and exhaustion. Although rumors about a split began circulating that month, they were initially denied. However, on 21 September, the band officially confirmed their amicable disbandment without immediate plans for future collaborations.
Industry figures paid tribute: BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens referred to them as "international superstars" whose songs carried meaning beyond mere pop success. Iestyn George, then editor of Maxim, noted Matthews' significant media presence during 1998-1999 and acknowledged that Catatonia had reached their peak prior to their breakthrough album International Velvet.
Post-breakup period (2002–present)
In May 2003, Matthews unveiled her debut solo album, Cockahoop, followed by the release of Never Said Goodbye in August 2006. November 2007 saw her issue a Welsh-language mini-album titled Awyren=Aeroplane through the My Kung Fu label. Toward the end of 2009, she launched two albums simultaneously—one in Welsh, Paid Edrych I Lawr, and an English counterpart, Don't Look Down. Her 2011 effort, Explorer, was released in between two Welsh cover projects: TIR (2010) and Hullabaloo (2013). Since 2008, Matthews has cultivated a distinguished career as a BBC radio presenter and programmer, earning awards and currently hosting two weekly shows on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.
Powell has concentrated on songwriting, including compositions for Duffy, and since 2007 has been hosting a Welsh-language program on Radio Cymru. Additionally, he became part of the supergroup The Stand, taking over drumming duties from Stuart Cable; they released a charity single in 2010 to support the erection of a statue honoring Welsh footballer Fred Keenor in Cardiff.
On 17 April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Matthews revealed plans for Catatonia to take part in a #timslisteningparty event focused on International Velvet. Although initially delayed due to technical difficulties, the event was ultimately removed from the lineup. In 2023, Matthews appeared as a guest on Tim Burgess' Listening Party broadcast on Absolute Radio, commemorating the album’s 25th anniversary.
On 3 June 2023, Matthews announced via Twitter the forthcoming release of a retrospective compilation entitled Make Hay Not War: The Blanco Y Negro Years, set to be issued by Cherry Red Records.
Side projects and collaborations
During the production of International Velvet, Matthews was invited by Tommy Scott from Liverpool’s band Space to collaborate on the duet single "The Ballad of Tom Jones". Having crossed paths while touring two years earlier, she joined them for several live performances. Matthews praised the track as "a superb ballad." She also performed alongside Tom Jones on a rendition of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" featured on his album Reload, which was released as a Christmas single in 1999 under the credit "Cerys from Catatonia".
Musical style and influences
Matthews stated that the band did not draw from specific influences but aimed primarily to secure airplay on BBC Radio 2, reflecting their Welsh origins where radio exposure was limited. Catatonia’s songwriting frequently employed metaphorical language—for instance, "Road Rage" represented emotional turmoil, while "You've Got A Lot To Answer For" from Way Beyond Blue included imagery related to a pregnancy test. Lyrics from International Velvet were compared to poetry by Katharine Viner in The Guardian.
Songwriting was a collective effort among all members, sometimes blending multiple perspectives within one composition. Powell emphasized this collaborative process as atypical compared to conventional band roles. He dismissed the "indie pop" classification, asserting their goal was to craft pop music with a harder edge and unique viewpoint that transcended typical indie boundaries.
The band’s musical approach developed over time. International Velvet was described by The People as embodying "purest pop." By the time of Paper Scissors Stone, traces of country music had emerged, with Fiona Shepherd from The Scotsman drawing parallels between their sound and Scottish group Mogwai, noting that "Nightfall" bore similarities to Arab Strap.
Band members
- Last configuration
- Cerys Matthews – lead vocals (1992–2001)
- Mark Roberts – guitar (1992–2001)
- Paul Jones – bass guitar (1993–2001)
- Aled Richards – drums (1996–2001)
- Owen Powell – guitar (1996–2001)
- Previous members
- Stephen Jenkins – drums (1992–1993)
- Guto Pryce – bass guitar (1992–1993)
- Dafydd Ieuan – drums (1993–1996)
- Clancy Pegg – keyboards (1993–1994)
Band configurations
| 1992 | 1992 | 1992–1993 | 1993–1994 |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 1994–1996 | 1996 | 1996–2001 | |
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Albums
| Release Year | Album Information | Highest chart rankings | Certifications (sales criteria) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Australia | Germany | Ireland | New Zealand | |||
| 1996 | Way Beyond Blue
|
32 | — | — | — | — |
|
| 1998 | International Velvet
|
1 | 27 | — | 39 | 32 |
|
| 1999 | Equally Cursed and Blessed
|
1 | 48 | — | — | 28 |
|
| 2001 | Paper Scissors Stone
|
6 | — | 55 | 37 | — |
|
| "—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts. | |||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Information | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications (sales criteria) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AUS | GER | IRL | NZL | |||
| 1995 | The Sublime Magic of Catatonia
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 1999 | The Crai-EPs 1993/1994
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 2002 | Greatest Hits
|
24 | — | — | 43 | — |
|
| 2006 | The Platinum Collection
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 2011 | Road Rage: The Best of Catatonia
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 2023 | Make Hay Not War: The Blanco Y Negro Years
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts. | |||||||
EPs
| Year | Release Details | Highest Chart Rankings | Certifications (sales criteria) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AUS | GER | IRL | NZL | |||
| 1993 | For Tinkerbell
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 1994 | Hooked
|
— | — | — | — | — | |
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions Achieved | Associated Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | AUS | IRL | NZL | ||||
Promotional releases
- Christmas '95 (1995, fan club vinyl record)
- Tourist EP (1996, Japan-exclusive EP)
- A's & B's of Catatonia (1998, promotional EP)
- Storm the Palace EP (2000, Japan-exclusive EP)
References
External links
- Articles with short description
- Cool Cymru
- Musical groups established in 1992
- Musical groups disestablished in 2001
- 1992 establishments in Wales
- 2001 disestablishments in Wales
- Welsh alternative rock groups
- British alternative rock groups
- Female-fronted musical groups
- Post-Britpop groups
- Britpop groups
- Welsh-language bands
- Alternative rock groups from Cardiff
- Blanco y Negro Records artists
- Rough Trade Records artists
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with script errors