Catherine Wheel

Formed in 1990 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, Catherine Wheel contributed to the early British shoegaze scene, recording five albums in their ten years of existence. Comprising Rob Dickinson (vocals/guitar, brother of Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson), Brian Futter (guitar), Dave Hawes (bass) and Neil Sims (drums), the quartet incorporated shoegaze sounds with layered guitars on their debut EPs She's My Friend and Painful Thing in 1991, adding dream pop and noisy touches on debut album Ferment (1992), charting at No. 36 with singles "Black Metallic" (#9 on the US Alternative chart) and "I Want to Touch You". Released shortly afterwards, "30th Century Man" achieved the band's highest UK chart position at 47, followed by the album Chrome (1993), produced by Gil Norton (Pixies) and featuring the title track "Crank " (#5 in the US alternative charts). In 1995, the third album Happy Days, tinged with grunge and psychedelia, welcomed Tim Friese-Greene on Hammond organ and keyboards, and Tanya Donelly (ex-Throwing Muses, The Breeder and then a member of Belly) on "Just Staring at the Sun", while the compilation Like Cats and Dogs (1996), unveiled the previously unreleased "Heal 2". Without losing her reputation, Catherine Wheel enriched her palette of arrangements on Adam and Eve, produced by Bob Ezrin and released in 1997, which charted in the UK, USA and Canada. Its three singles, including "Broken Nose", also charted. Bassist Ben Ellis succeeds Dave Hawes on the final album Wishville (2000), credited to The Catherine Wheel, who have since entered an indefinite hiatus.