Catherine Wheel (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Rob Dickinson, Brian Futter, Dave Hawes, Neil Sims |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft , England |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States, Canada |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles |
Number of employees | 4–5 (band members) |
Catherine Wheel was an alternative rock group originating from Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft in England, active between 1990 and 2000. Throughout their decade-long career, they produced five studio albums, embarked on numerous tours, and experienced fluctuating levels of commercial achievement. Initially connected to the shoegazing movement, their musical direction gradually shifted toward a more forceful sound influenced by hard rock and metal. Their first album, Ferment (1992), garnered early recognition, while the 1993 release Chrome—along with its single "Crank"—represented their highest point of commercial success. Later records such as Happy Days, which included the notable collaboration "Judy Staring at the Sun" featuring Tanya Donelly, achieved moderate popularity. The band also benefited from substantial exposure on MTV. Although mainstream success in the UK was limited, Catherine Wheel maintains a lasting influence within alternative rock and shoegaze circles.
History
The band formed in 1990 with members singer-guitarist Rob Dickinson (who is related to Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson), guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes, and drummer Neil Sims. Prior to joining, Hawes had been part of Eternal, a band inspired by Joy Division. The name "Catherine Wheel" was inspired by the firework of the same name. Their sound was frequently linked to the shoegazing genre, characterized by heavy use of guitar effects and feedback.
Before securing a record deal, Catherine Wheel recorded a Peel session in early 1991 and released two EPs through Wilde Club Records, a label based in Norwich. They eventually signed with major label Fontana Records, opting for this contract over offers from Creation Records and Opal Records. Their debut album Ferment included the US charting track "Black Metallic" and the moderately successful "I Want to Touch You," featuring several reworked songs from their earlier EPs. The track "Black Metallic" later appeared in the soundtrack of the film S. Darko.
Their 1993 album Chrome, produced by Gil Norton, marked a departure from pure shoegaze toward a more energetic style while preserving atmospheric qualities evident in songs like "Fripp." In 2007, Rob Dickinson noted that bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol had cited Chrome as an influence on their music.
With the 1995 release of Happy Days, the band embraced a heavier hard rock and metal sound, which broadened their presence in the US market during the post-grunge period but alienated some longtime fans. The single "Waydown" enjoyed significant airplay stateside, supported by a music video themed around a plane crash. Meanwhile, Britpop's dominance in the UK limited their domestic popularity.
The 1996 compilation Like Cats and Dogs, consisting of B-sides spanning five years, showcased a more subdued dimension of their work that continued into 1997's Adam and Eve. This album moved away from heavier tones towards cleaner production incorporating keyboards and acoustic guitars; songs like "Satellite" featured orchestral components.
In 2000, now performing under the slightly modified name The Catherine Wheel, they released Wishville with new label backing and bassist Ben Ellis joining the lineup. The album received mixed critical responses, faced label complications, and suffered disappointing sales, leading to an indefinite hiatus. In January 2022, activity on a newly created Instagram account hinted at potential reunion plans.
Ferment was re-released in March 2010 with additional tracks and comprehensive liner notes.
Activities Following Catherine Wheel
Futter and Sims proceeded with their venture called 50 ft Monster. Ellis contributed his talents to Serafin and subsequently collaborated with Iggy Pop. After a lengthy period performing alongside Tracy Bonham, Dickinson launched his solo project, Fresh Wine for the Horses (2005), before stepping away from music recording to establish the Porsche restoration firm Singer Vehicle Design in 2009.
Members of the Band
- Last roster
- Rob Dickinson – lead vocals, guitars (1990–2000)
- Brian Futter – guitars, backing vocals (1990–2000)
- Ben Ellis – bass guitar (1999–2000)
- Neil Sims – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1990–2000)
- Former members
- Dave Hawes – bass guitar (1990–1999)
Releases
Albums
- Ferment (1992) – Reached No. 36 on UK charts
- Chrome (1993) – Peaked at No. 58 UK
- Happy Days (1995) – Attained No. 163 US, No. 41 CAN
- Adam and Eve (1997) – Charted at No. 53 UK, No. 178 US, No. 75 CAN
- Wishville (2000) – Achieved No. 30 in Canada
Extended plays
- She's My Friend (1991)
- Painful Thing (1991) – Peaked at No. 5 on UK Indie Chart
- The Norfolk Remasters - She's My Friend (2023)
Compilation albums
- Like Cats and Dogs (1996) – Reached No. 36 on US Heatseekers, No. 45 CAN
Singles
| Year | Title | UK | Canada Alt | US Alt | US Rock | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "Black Metallic" | 68 | – | 9 | – | Ferment |
| 1992 | "Balloon" | 59 | – | – | – | Non-album single |
| "I Want to Touch You" | 35 | – | 20 | – | Ferment | |
| "30 Century Man" | 47 | – | – | – | Non-album single | |
| 1993 | "Crank" | 66 | – | 5 | – | Chrome |
| "Show Me Mary" | 62 | – | – | – | ||
| 1995 | "Waydown" | 67 | 5 | 15 | 24 | Happy Days |
| "Judy Staring at the Sun" | – | 10 | 22 | – | ||
| 1996 | "Heal 2" | – | 18 | – | – | Like Cats and Dogs |
| 1997 | "Delicious" | 53 | 12 | – | – | Adam and Eve |
| 1998 | "Ma Solituda" | 53 | – | – | – | |
| "Broken Nose" | 48 | – | – | – | ||
| 2000 | "Sparks Are Gonna Fly" | – | – | 37 | – | Wishville |
| Year | Song | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "Black Metallic" | Barry Magurie | Version for 7" release |
| "I Want to Touch You" | Miles Aldridge | Remix by Tim Palmer | |
| 1993 | "Crank" | Geoff Everson | Two edits: original shows Rob on spiked wheel; censored version focuses on Brian and Dave shots |
| "Show Me Mary" | Melodie McDaniel | Remix by Scott Litt | |
| 1994 | "The Nude" | Elizabeth Baily | Scott Litt remix version |
| 1995 | "Waydown" | Mark Pellington | |
| "Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck" | Stephen Dorff
LP cut featuring Summer Phoenix | ||
| "Judy Staring at the Sun" | Nick Egan
Featuring Tanya Donelly; lyrics edited by MTV for broadcast | ||
| 1997 | "Delicious" | Mark Adcock | |
| 1998 | "Ma Solituda" | Karen Lamond | |
| 2000 | "Sparks Are Gonna Fly" | Dean Karr |
} External links |
- Articles with short description
- Musical groups formed in 1990
- Musical groups that disbanded in 2000
- English alternative rock bands
- British shoegaze bands
- Artists signed to Fontana Records
- Artists signed to Mercury Records
- Artists signed to Columbia Records
- Artists signed to Chrysalis Records
- Musical groups disestablished in 2000