In 1992 a band from Great Yarmouth in the UK meandered onto the scene with a record called Ferment. Local WFNX DJ Julie Kramer seemed inordinately enamored of these guys and played "Black Metallic" until the whole region finally got it. I didn't need much prodding to be honest. "Black Metallic" is just a fantastic song. Write that down. FANTASTIC. I know I've prattled on about this many times, but from 1987 to around 1993 I was all over new bands the way The Giant Panther is on them today. In fact, he stumbled on "Black Metallic" about two years ago now and came to me wondering if I'd ever heard it. Heard it? I'd say this song stands as one of the very best the so called alternative 90's had to offer. The 90's get a bad rap from a lot of folks including The GP, but once you get past the flotsam and jetsam there were a ton of great artists and music in my opinion. The same as in any other decade in my opinon. Catherine Wheel was one of those artists.Catherine Wheel consisted of guitarist and main vocalist Rob Dickinson, guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes and drummer Neil Sims. Formed in 1990, Catherine Wheel took its name from a type of firework, but "Catherine Wheel" was also a type of medieval torture device. I don't think the band minded the duel associations. They were lumped in with what the British press referred to as "shoegazing" artists. I guess the prevailing definition at the time was used to describe artists that stood on stage performing almost motionless with no intent of trying to rile up the crowd with inane phrases like "Hello Cleveland!" Frequently said performers were actually looking down at their shoes while they sang. It might be more of a myth than anything, but it was kind of a humorous way to describe low impact live shows in those days. I never did see Catherine Wheel now that I think about it, but I could swear I did see them once at Boston's Hatch Shell. Alas, I have no proof or memory of such a show. You had to manufacture your own ticket at free outdoor events and sometimes I spaced it. Oh well. Since I don't remember it I can't imagine it had much of an impact if in fact it ever took place. Nice huh? Nothing like advertising my over indulging early 90's memory loss I guess...
Regarding Catherine Wheel, they had a nice run from 1990 until roughly 2000. They toured incessantly, but never really got over the metaphoric hump. They were big around Boston and I'm sure in the UK, but records sales were so-so at best. The press loved them that's for sure. I did too actually, but while their records always had a "hit" or two they never really felt complete to me. Ferment broke some ground, but none of their records made it higher than 25th on the U.S. Charts according to Wikipedia. Still, many of you might remember songs like "I Want To Touch You, Heal, Balloon, Crank, Show Me Mary, and Judy Staring at The Sun," but by and large they never reached the ethereal heights of "Black Metallic" ever again. They had a terrific cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" on 1996's Like Cats and Dogs compilation that also went under the radar. Their last gasp CD Wishville, released in 2000, received more of the same lackluster consumer attention and the band went on an open ended hiatus. Still, "Black Metallic" will keep Catherine Wheel on the tip of my tongue forevermore. What a great single. Consider them Giant Panther Hall of Famers as a result.
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