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.
Ferment
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sweetened lips and eyes are glowing
All the things you take are spinning 'round
Such a waste but you can't taste
What's coming down
All the time you say
You can turn this movie around
Needle stings and blisters breaking
Swinging moods and conscious fading
All the things you dream are spinning 'round
Always it seems to bring you, bring you down
Any time you say
You can turn this movie around
You can turn this movie around
Ferment
Ferment
Ferment
Ferment
The dream is always fixed ???
Sugar faceless when sweetness wakes ????
Ferment
Fermenting fermenting fermenting oh
Light your fading light
Ferment your life
Your fading light
Ferment your life
Fermenting fermenting fermenting
The lyrics of Catherine Wheel's song Ferment can be interpreted in different ways depending on one's personal experiences and perspectives. However, the song seems to describe the addictive and destructive nature of sugar or any substance that gives instant gratification, but ultimately leads to negative consequences. The first verse portrays the physical and emotional effects of consuming sugar; "sugar in the heart is burning, sweetened lips and eyes are glowing." Even though the person knows it is a waste and they are unable to taste what is coming, they continue to indulge in the things that are spinning around them, perhaps consumed by their addiction.
The second verse describes the consequences of such actions; "needle stings and blisters breaking, swinging moods and conscious fading." The person is trapped in their cycle of addiction, as "all the things you dream are spinning 'round" and this seems to bring them down despite their claims that "you can turn this movie around." The chorus repeats the word "ferment," which can be interpreted as the process of breaking down or decomposition, perhaps likening the destructive nature of addiction to fermentation.
The final verse is more abstract and open to interpretation, with lines such as "the dream is always fixed, sugar faceless when sweetness wakes." It could suggest that despite the person's dreams and desires, they are stuck in their destructive habits, and sugar loses its appeal when reality sets in. Ultimately, the song seems to warn about the dangers of addiction and the temptation to give in to instant gratification at the expense of one's well-being.
Line by Line Meaning
Sugar in the heart is burning
The intense emotions inside are overwhelming and overpowering, like a burning sensation caused by consuming too much sugar.
Sweetened lips and eyes are glowing
The superficial aspects of oneself may appear attractive, but it is only due to the temporary sweetness that blurs one's true emotions and thoughts.
All the things you take are spinning 'round
The choices you make and the things you possess keep spinning around, and you cannot seem to shake their hold on your life.
Such a waste but you can't taste what's coming down
You cannot fully comprehend the waste and damage being caused by your actions, even though you know that something is not right or is about to go wrong.
All the time you say you can turn this movie around
Despite feeling trapped in a negative cycle, you believe that you have the power to stop it and make a positive change in your life.
Needle stings and blisters breaking
The pain inflicted upon oneself through self-destructive or drug-related behavior is like a needle prick, and the resulting damage feels like blisters that have burst open.
Swinging moods and conscious fading
Your emotions and consciousness are radically shifting and slipping away from you, causing a feeling of confusion and instability.
All the things you dream are spinning 'round, always it seems to bring you, bring you down
Your dreams and desires remain unfulfilled, and instead, their constant presence causes a feeling of depression and hopelessness.
Ferment
The song title serves as a reminder of the process of fermenting, the way in which substances and experiences break down and transform over time.
The dream is always fixed ???
The idealized version of your life always seems to be fixed in your mind, but it can never be fully realized due to the limitations of reality.
Sugar faceless when sweetness wakes ????
In moments of happiness or joy, the negativity within oneself cannot be hidden or ignored, and it remains 'faceless' despite the temporary pleasure.
Light your fading light, ferment your life
The fading aspects of yourself must be brought to light and examined in order to undergo the process of fermenting, thereby allowing growth and change to occur.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind