Catherine Wheel formed in 1990, comprising singer/guitarist Rob Dickinson (cousin of Iron Maiden legend Bruce Dickinson), guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes, and drummer Neil Sims. Hawes had previously played in a Joy Division-influenced band called Eternal. They took their moniker from the firework known as the Catherine wheel, which in turn had taken its name from the medieval torture device of the same name. The band was often included in the shoegazing scene, characterized by bands that made extensive use of guitar feedback and droning washes of noise, as well as their continuous interaction with extensive amounts of effects pedals on the stage floor.
The band performed a Peel session in early 1991 while still unsigned; two 12" vinyl EPs were released on the Norwich based Wilde Club Records, named after the regular weekly Wilde Club gigs run by Barry Newman at Norwich Arts Centre. They signed to major-label Fontana Records after being courted by both Creation Records and the Brian Eno-run label Opal Records. The band's debut album, 1991/92's Ferment, made an immediate impression on the music press and introduced Catherine Wheel's biggest U.S. hit, "Black Metallic," as well as moderate hit "I Want To Touch You". The album features re-recorded versions of some of the Wilde Club-issued EPs.
The more aggressive Chrome followed in 1993, produced by Gil Norton. With this album, the band began to shed its original shoegazing tag, while still making skillful use of atmospherics, such as on the song "Fripp." In a 2007 interview, Rob Dickinson said that members of Death Cab for Cutie and Interpol told him that without this album, their bands "wouldn't exist."
1995's Happy Days saw the band delving further into metallic hard rock, which alienated a portion of their fanbase, even as it increased their exposure in the United States during the post-grunge era. The single "Waydown," and especially its plane-crash themed video, received heavy play in the U.S. A more sedate strain of rock known as britpop was taking over in the UK, causing C.W. to continue to have greater success abroad than at home.
The B-sides and outtakes collection, Like Cats and Dogs, came out the following year, revealing a quieter, more contemplative side of the band, spanning the previous five years. This carried over into Adam and Eve in 1997, wherein the band scaled back the sonic force of their sound from its Happy Days levels, with clean playing on some songs that featured extensive use of keyboards and acoustic guitars. Alternately, songs like "Satellite" and "Here Comes the Fat Controller" were lush and orchestral in scope.
In 2000, Catherine Wheel re-emerged with a new record label, a new bassist (Ben Ellis); a modified name (The Catherine Wheel); and a new album, Wishville. After mixed reviews, record company turmoil and lacklustre sales, the band went on a still-continuing hiatus.
In March 2010, Ferment was re-released, containing bonus tracks and extensive sleeve notes.
Bill And Ben
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your thoughts will twist and touch
You're killing time in your dark ???
That's coming down
Ah that's coming down
Ah
You are young and full of heart
It's taking all my time
How many days to fight
Just staring up at the sun
That's coming down
Ah that's coming down
Ah
You are young and full of heart
You are wise and you are torn ???
You are real but torn apart
You are losing
You are young and full of heart
You are wise and you are torn ???
It looks like you but looks you may ???
You are real but you are torn apart
Ah
Ah
The opening lines of Catherine Wheel's song "Bill And Ben" speak of overwhelming thoughts that linger and twist in the mind. The lyrics suggest that these thoughts have the potential to harm the person who embraces them, like a darkness that surrounds them. This darkness is depicted as something that is slowly coming down, engulfing the person's emotions and state of mind.
The second verse of "Bill And Ben" continues with the theme of battling these unwanted thoughts. The lyrics express the frustration and exhaustion of trying to fight them off. The singer seems to be standing idle, staring at the sun setting, as if waiting for something to happen. This could represent a reflection of the conflict between hope and despair.
Overall, "Bill And Ben" is a deeply introspective song. The lyrics symbolize the struggle against internal demons, and the pain of watching oneself unravel. The conclusion of the song holds a sense of desperation as the singer accepts that they are losing their fight against the darkness inside them.
Line by Line Meaning
You're saying far too much
You are talking too much and revealing too many of your thoughts
Your thoughts will twist and touch
Your thoughts will get tangled and confused
You're killing time in your dark ???
You are wasting time in a place that may be holding you back or causing you pain
That's coming down
Something that you are dreading or fearing is rapidly approaching
Ah that's coming down
This impending event is causing you great distress
You are young and full of heart
You are a passionate and energetic person
You are real but you are torn apart
You are honest and authentic, but also deeply troubled
It's taking all my time
This difficult situation is consuming all of your energy and attention
How many days to fight
You are wondering how long you will have to struggle with this issue
Just staring up at the sun
You are feeling stuck and uncertain, unsure of which direction to go in
You are wise and you are torn ???
You have gained wisdom through your struggles, but are still deeply conflicted
You are losing
You are not succeeding in overcoming this challenge or making progress
It looks like you but looks you may ???
The problem may seem familiar, but it is much more complex than it appears
You are real but you are torn apart
You are honest and authentic, but also deeply troubled
Ah
Exclamation of emotional pain or frustration
Ah
Exclamation of emotional pain or frustration
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jane Short
Definitely speaks to a specific time in music. Memories. The harmonies! Haunting!
Shoegazer 93
Love the part when it all goes absolutely skits at 2:30!
Kibi
Best part
SoundW0RM
You can really feel how much The Cure influenced them on this one
Tolohtony
A long time ago I used to make cassettes of all my CD'S and some songs didn't fit on the tapes. Now it's like discovering new CW!
Tolohtony
@The O.G. Tony G. I agree that nothing should have been left off. It all just fell on where the CD was when the cassette ran out of tape. I should have made another one of all the stuff on all my CD's that didn't make it on the first round.
The O.G. Tony G.
I would never have left this one off. This is probably the best song on the record.
Some of the non-album stuff (hard to find in many instances) is absolutely amazing, especially from the Ferment/Chrome era.
James Loza
Epic show at Slim’s San Francisco back in the day. Come back.
beebow Las Vegas
comfort
Ego Builders
I just realized this a gay song after being a fan for 30 years. I have to go vomit now.