This has been put together to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about the musical group the Catherine Wheel. Comments, additions, and changes are welcomed and encouraged. If you would like to make a contribution to the FAQ, please let me know.
1. Catherine Wheel? Explain!
2. How did they arrive at their name?
3. Where is the band from?
4. How many albums has the band released?
5. How many music videos have they produced?
6. Is there a music video compilation available for sale?
7. The version of Show Me Mary in the video sounds different than the album; is this a different version?
8. What is a good starting album to listen to if I am a Catherine Wheel neophyte?
9. How many shows has the band played?
What bands have the Catherine Wheel toured with?
10. If I like the Catherine Wheel, what other bands may I like?
11. I own some of the original singles of songs on Like Cats and Dogs and they sound different; is this so?
12. Is Like Cats and Dogs complete in its collection of B-Sides?
13. Is there a Catherine Wheel live album, official or otherwise?
14. Are Bruce Dickinson & Rob Dickinson related?
15. Where can I find guitar tabs for the band's songs?
16. Is there a Catherine Mailing List? How can I join?
17. Where can I get a Texture-L T-Shirt?
18. Where can I find lyrics to the band's songs?
19. Who is Merck Mercurdias?
1. Catherine Wheel!?
The Catherine Wheel is a group of musicians from England who have thus far released 5 proper albums, one compilation album of b-sides and unreleased material, and countless E.P.s and singles. Their style of music is hard to pinpoint - 1992's Ferment was well received by the British press (albeit at the expense of being the fad of the week) in trendsetters like NME and was a disciple of the Ride & My Bloody Valentine
contingency of swirly guitars and breathy vocals. It featured songs like Black Metallic & I Want To Touch You. Chrome, released a year later, revelead a propencity towards a harder sonic dynamic that retained a strong focus on melody admist clatter and distortion. Crank and The Nude were singles from this album. 1995's Happy Days, featuring Waydown moved further into the metal-ish guitars first explored in Chrome. In between Happy Days & their following release, 1997's Adam & Eve, the band released a b-side compilation called Like Cats & Dogs. Adam & Eve, released to rave reviews in the US & UK, featured the CMJ top 10 Alternative song Delicious and the UK single Ma Solituda.
Its members are Rob Dickinson (vocals, guitar), Brian Futter (guitar, background vocals), Dave Hawes (bass), and Neil Simms (percussion, drums, background vocals). 2000 saw a new album, Wishville, and line-up change, with Dave Hawes being replaced on bass by Ben Ellis (referred to on message boards as "the Thom Yorke lookalike" evidently).
2. How did they arrive at their name?
No one is too terribly sure. Its actual definition is here. It's commonly thought of that it came from the meaning of a torture device. However, this is likely incorrect. Unless it was a smart remark, I do believe it refers to a friend of the band who likes to do tricks ['wheelies'] on his motorbike.
3. Where is the band from?
The band is from Great Yarmouth in the United Kingdom.
4. How many albums has the band released?
The band has released 5 albums proper & a collection of B-Sides called Like Cats & Dogs in addition to a plethora of 7", 12", and CD singles, E.Ps, and promos.
5. How many music videos have they produced?
There are now 10 videos! : Black Metallic, I Want To Touch You, Crank, The Nude, Show Me Mary, Waydown, Eat My Dust You Insensitive Fuck, Delicious, Phantom of the American Mother, and Sparks are Gonna Fly. Merck has also said they did a "cheap" (oh no, I've used quotes and I'm not even sure that was the word he used!) video for Shallow which may be released in the future.
6. Is there a music video compilation available for sale?
Not currently. At the time of Happy Day's release there was a FREE compilation of the first 7 videos (pre-Adam & Eve) available with purchase of the album. Merck has said they hope to put out a video compilation with Shallow sometime in the future. This is a murky question mark now.
7. The version of Show Me Mary in the video sounds different than the album; is this a different version?
The version heard here is the Scott Lit Remix that is available on the Promo EP of the song.
8. What is a good starting album to listen to if I am a Catherine Wheel neophyte?
The general consensus is that the band's second album, Chrome is an ideal starting place. [If you want to order it from amazon, send me an email and I'll furnish you with a $5.00 coupon just for mentioning this site!]
9. How many shows has the band played? What bands have the Catherine Wheel toured with?
A fairy complete listing of gigs and supporting bands is at the official Catherine Wheel website.
10. If I like the Catherine Wheel, what other bands may I like?
The following are fellow counterparts to which most of Catherine Wheel's sound can be comparatively linked to / bands to check out: Ride, Chameleons [UK], Comsat Angels, House Of Love, Adorable, Slowdive, Kitchens Of Distinction, Pink Floyd.
11. I own some of the original singles of songs on Like Cats and Dogs and they sound different; is this so?
Many of the songs on Like Cats and Dogs are remixed versions of songs on the singles. These aforementioned songs are:
Heal 2 (alternate) | Wish You Were Here (studio; not XFM session)
| Saccharine (remix) | Tongue Twisted (Gil Norton mix) | La La Lala La (Gil Norton mix)
12. Is Like Cats and Dogs complete in its collection of B-Sides?
Unfortunately not. In fact, quite a few are missing. Consult the discography for further information; there are really too many to be listed here.
13. Is there a Catherine Wheel live album, official or otherwise?
There is no officially released Catherine Wheel live album, per se. Live tracks have been released on singles, most notably the 3-track EP with Ferment and another for Wishville. A limited editition live concert from 4/99 New York City is included with some editions of Wishville. There was also a Westwood One In Concert disc released in 1995 of their gig at Slims in San Francisco, CA taken from the soundboard. There are many live tapes being traded, however.
14. Are Bruce Dickinson & Rob Dickinson related?
Yes. They are cousins. By coincidence their bands are both names of mid-evil torture devices [Catherine Wheel, Iron Maiden].
15. Where can I find guitar tabs for the band's songs?
Try http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/~mlevi/cwtablature.html.
16.Is there a Catherine Wheel Mailing List? How can I join?
Yes. http://www.egroups.com/group/texture.
17. Where can I get a Texture-L T-Shirt?
All of the Texture-L shirts have been sold. In the future there may be a new one issued.
18. Where can I find lyrics to the band's songs?
They are at the Official Catherine Wheel site. See http://www.thurbz.com/cw for lyrics to rarities!
19. Who is Merck Mercurdias?
Merck is what you would call the 5th Beatle. He is the band's manager. He is subscribed to texture-l and frequently updates upon the status of the band.
The 1st Edition of the FAQ took from August 1997 - July 1998 to write. Jolly good revisions and cosmetics were conducted in a few sparse minutes on July 12, 1999. August 10, 2000 saw the yearning of a newer, up-to-date, comprehensive FAQ containing many adjectives & modern information. In September 2000 I realized it looked horrible and re-wrote the code. Cheers.
