Charlotte's Web (band)
| Company type | Indie pop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Founder | Jeffery Lowe |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Charlotte's Web was an indie pop group originating from Perth, Western Australia. The band initially formed under the name Catherine Wheels in 1986, featuring Jeffery Lowe as the vocalist and guitarist. They issued the cassette Flies in the Face of... in January 1988, followed by the EP Short Time Strait in February 1991, before disbanding later that same year.
Biography
Catherine Wheels came into existence in 1986 in Perth, founded by Jeff Lowe (vocals, guitar) alongside Tim Underwood (guitar). Prior to this, Lowe and Underwood had been members of The Russians (1984–1986), which also included Darryl Edwards on drums and Richard Galli handling bass and keyboards. Initially performing without a drummer, Catherine Wheels expanded their lineup in 1986 by adding bassist Greta Little and drummer Chad Hedley. After limited live shows and releasing the single "Big Letdown" in February 1987, the band relocated to Sydney. Shortly after the move, Underwood, Little, and Hedley departed to establish Northern Lights.
Lowe returned to Perth and assembled a new version of Charlotte's Web in February 1987 with Will Akers (formerly of The Triffids) on bass, Felicity 'Flick' Dear (from Holy Rollers) on drums, and Craig Chisholm (also ex-Holy Rollers) on guitar. Due to health concerns, Akers was replaced by Mandy Haines. The band toured the northwest region of Western Australia later that year and recorded the cassette Flies in the Face of..., which was released in January 1988.
By September 1988, Haines had joined The Pallisades and moved to Sydney while Chisholm traveled to Europe. Michal Zampogna (from Circle of Confusion) took over bass duties from Haines, and Laurie Mansell (of I Hear an Army), who had initially auditioned as bassist, switched to guitar. The lineup further expanded with John Bannister on trumpet and Kym Skipworth on cello. In 1989, they released the single "Heart Trouble" through the independent label Mighty Boy, which received airplay on Triple J.
In August 1990, Mark Rettig joined the ensemble, completing a lineup consisting of Lowe, Mansell, Zampogna, Skipworth, Dear, and Rettig. This formation produced the EP Short Time Strait, with production handled by Dom Mariani (formerly of The Stems, The Someloves, DM3).
Post Charlotte
Following Northern Lights, Underwood went on to form The Rosemary Beads alongside Little (bass) and Cam Munachen (drums). Dear continued her musical career drumming for Wooden Fische, Box, and Butternut. From 2006 onwards, she served as principal at Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School in Bunbury while performing with the Noongar band Warangka.
After Charlotte's Web dissolved, Lowe, Skipworth, and drummer Nathan Jarvis (previously with Bob's Lovechild) created The Indian Givers. Skipworth stopped performing after a car accident involving Lowe in 1992; she subsequently worked as a designer for ABC Television and currently practices as a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Zampogna contributed to RTRFM community radio and Community Television and held the position of President at Animal Liberation (WA) Inc.
Members
- Will Akers – bass guitar, backing vocals (1987)
- John Bannister – trumpet (1987–1990)
- Craig Chisholm – guitar, backing vocals (1987–1988)
- Felicity 'Flick' Dear – drums, vocals, flute (1987–1991)
- Mandy Haines – bass guitar (1987–1988)
- Chad Hedley – drums (1986–1987)
- Greta Little – bass guitar (1986–1987)
- Jeffery Lowe – vocals, guitar (1986–1991)
- Laurie Mansell – guitar, backing vocals (1988–1991)
- Mark Rettig – trumpet (1990–1991)
- Kym 'Krazy Kym' Skipworth – cello, tambourine (1989–1990)
- Cathi Smith – viola (1991)
- Tim Underwood – guitar (1986–1987)
- Michael Zampogna – bass guitar (1988–1991)
Albums and EPs
- Flies in the Face of... – Released independently under CW (January 1988, cassette format)
- Short Time Strait – Issued by MDS / Dada Records (catalog number CW001) (February 1991, EP)
Singles
- "Big Letdown"/"Dance of the Chimney Sweeps"/"Delicious Pain" – Distributed by Easter Records (MR-7030) (February 1987)
- "Heart Trouble"/"Alice's Wings" – Published through Mighty Boy Records (February 1990)
Compilation Appearances
- Hometown Farewell Kiss – 6UVS (1990), featuring "Servant of Your Lair"
- Like Flies in the Face of including the track "Big Letdown"
- Something's Burning in Paradise Again – Subtle Records (C-86) (November 1989), with "The Train for June"
References
- General
- Note: Online edition expanded from the 2002 publication.
- Specific