The Catherine Wheel: A Legacy of Alternative Rock

Founded in 1989, the English alternative rock band Catherine Wheel has been hailed as one of the pioneers of the shoegazing movement. Comprised of vocalist and guitarist Rob Dickinson, drummer Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes, and keyboardist and guitarist Neil Sims, the band has released a total of six studio albums, each showcasing their unique blend of atmospheric guitar riffs and melodic vocals.

Early Beginnings

Catherine Wheel was formed in Great Yarmouth, England, where Dickinson and Futter met at school and bonded over their shared love for music. The duo played in various bands together before eventually forming Catherine Wheel with Hawes and Sims. The band's name was inspired by the fiery Catherine Wheel device used in medieval torture, which Dickinson thought was a fitting representation of the intensity of their music.

Rise to Fame

Catherine Wheel's first release was a self-titled EP in 1991, which caught the attention of music critics and earned them a contract with Mercury Records. Their debut album, "Ferment," was released in 1992 to critical acclaim and featured hit singles "Crank" and "I Want to Touch You."

Following the success of "Ferment," Catherine Wheel released their second album "Chrome" in 1993. The album showcased a more experimental sound and included the hit single "Black Metallic," which was featured in the movie "The Crow" and earned the band their first Billboard Modern Rock chart entry.

Catherine Wheel continued to gain popularity with their third album "Happy Days" in 1995, which featured the hit single "Waydown" and earned them a spot on the Lollapalooza tour. Their fourth album "Adam and Eve" was released in 1997 and featured the hit single "Delicious," which earned them their highest chart position on the UK Singles Chart at number 11.

Creative Differences and Hiatus

Despite their growing success, the band began to experience creative differences and tension within the group. This led to the departure of Sims in 1998 and the decision to take a hiatus from recording and touring.

During this time, Dickinson pursued a solo career and released two albums, while Futter and Hawes formed the band Rockettothesky. In 2002, Catherine Wheel reunited and released their fifth album "Wishville," which marked a return to their heavier, guitar-driven sound. The album was well-received by critics and fans alike.

The Catherine Wheel: A Legacy of Alternative Rock

Early Beginnings

Rise to Fame

Creative Differences and Hiatus

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