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.
Kill Rhythm
Catherine Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to be unseen - show me
A deep disguise
A deep disguise
Five years of nothing good
Still screaming
Shout this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Kill rhythm
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, still dreaming
Now, my secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
I want to walk on air - show me
It's gonna feel so rare - show me
Don't want to look suspicious or undone
But I really think this rhythm is the only one
Five years of nothing good
And still screaming
Shout, get this secret out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, cold comfort,
Shout - this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep, distant and pure
I want to fire the gun - show me
I want to be unseen - show me
A deep disguise
To kill this guy
Finalize the rhythm
The rhythm
Deep feelings I'm seeking, kill rhythm
Shout this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep, distant and pure
The Catherine Wheel's "Kill Rhythm" ultimately reflects a state of desperation, as the singer seeks to destroy the rhythm they are caught in. The lyrics are mostly focused on the singer's desire to escape this rhythm and their longing for something new. The first verse shows a desire for a deep disguise and to fire a gun, indicating that the singer is ready to take drastic measures to escape. The second verse reveals that the rhythm has been present for five years, and the singer has been continuously screaming, indicating that this rhythm is causing pain and suffering. The chorus repeats the phrase "kill rhythm," which serves as a call to action for the singer to break free from this cycle of pain.
As the song progresses, the singer begins to reveal their secrets, which are "deep, distant, and pure." The secrets are hinted to be the singer's true feelings and desires. These secrets are contrasted with the deep disguise that the singer wants to wear earlier, representing a desire to hide their true self. The bridge of the song tells us that the singer wants to "walk on air" to escape this rhythm, but also acknowledges that the rhythm is the only one they know. The final lines of the song repeat the phrase "kill rhythm," emphasizing that it is time for the cycle to end.
Overall, "Kill Rhythm" is a song about breaking free from the patterns that hold us back. The singer is exhausted and desperate for change, willing to make any sacrifice to escape their current rhythm. The repetition of "kill rhythm" serves as a call to action, encouraging the listener to take control of their own lives and break free from the patterns that trap us.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to fire a gun - show me
I want to destroy something, please help me
I want to be unseen - show me
I want to disappear, please help me
A deep disguise
A cloak of concealment to hide me from the world's view
A deep disguise
A shroud of anonymity to protect from cruel review
Five years of nothing good
Half a decade fruitless
Still screaming
My cries remain voiceless
Shout this secrets out
Resound my inner turmoil
Deep, distant and pure
The distress is intense, but remotely obscure
Deep, distant and pure
A profound fervor so genuine and true
Kill rhythm
Eliminate the consistency that only brings me blue
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, still dreaming
Emotions so profound, yet hope isn't fading
Now, my secrets out
I can no longer keep the depth of passion shading
Deep, distant and pure
The dread thoroughly buried, and wholly obscure
I want to walk on air - show me
I want to soar in freedom, please show me how to be free
It's gonna feel so rare - show me
The unattainable sensation of bliss, please lead me to ye
Don't want to look suspicious or undone
I want to act as normal, and not draw attention, no pun
But I really think this rhythm is the only one
I sincerely believe this pattern is the spark to the sullen
And still screaming
The agonizing cry is audible, my insides burning
Shout, get this secret out
My concealed emotion needs a voice, a way to seep out
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, cold comfort
Suppressing emotions, a habit that brings no comfort
Shout - this secrets out
It's time to shout it out, no more covert
Deep, distant and pure
The turmoil is deep yet remotely obscure
Deep, distant and pure
Emotions go so profound, authentic and pure
I want to fire the gun - show me
I want to end everything, please guide me
I want to be unseen - show me
I want to fade away, please teach me
A deep disguise
Camouflage deeper than the previously cited thickness
To kill this guy
To destroy the persona, the burden causing bleakness
Finalize the rhythm
End the pattern that has reached its maximum scintillation
The rhythm
The oppressive repetition that brought no liberation
Deep feelings I'm seeking, kill rhythm
The level of fierceness is higher, to end the resonation
Shout this secrets out
The unheard cry needs to find its liberation
Deep, distant and pure
The turmoil is profound, but hidden in obscurity
Deep, distant and pure
Emotions too strong, too genuine in purity
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: BRIAN FUTTER, ROBERT DICKINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dead Mousy Pluta Prestige
I want to fire a gun - show me
I want to be unseen - show me
A deep disguise
A deep disguise
Five years of nothing good
Still screaming
Shout this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep, distant and pure
Kill rhythm
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, still dreaming
Now, my secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
I want to walk on air - show me
It's gonna feel so rare - show me
Don't want to look suspicious or undone
But I really think this rhythm is the only one
Five years of nothing good
And still screaming
Shout, get this secret out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep feelings, I'm keeping, cold comfort,
Shout - this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep, distant and pure
I want to fire the gun - show me
I want to be unseen - show me
A deep disguise
To kill this guy
Finalize the rhythm
The rhythm
Deep feelings I'm seeking, kill rhythm
Shout this secrets out
Deep, distant and pure
Deep, distant and pure
Matthew Lewis
One the best albums of the 90s, and only ten people bought it
Greg Singh
Somebody must like it, because the cheapest price I can get on the vinyl issue is $135.
Rocker69
i had a poster of this. lost it in a move. fantastic band :)
SoundW0RM
Is that really true? Seems like they had a pretty decent following back in the day
OkayThen
@SoundW0RM they had. Like the band Bush people either lost their interest or the band just didn’t catch attention again after their debut album.
Junior Ramone
@OkayThen Bush were shit. Catherine Wheel had a real following in the 90s.
D.j. Jumbo
I was a young kid, when I heard and fell in love, their music, I still love and jam to Catherine wheel, to this day...
34cellardoor
This is one of all time favorite cd's of the 90's. Every time I hear it - I feel 17 again
Daz Gregory
One of the best covers ever....they were just so ahead of the field in the day.
Matthew Lewis
The irony is that the effect at the top of the photo, where the surface overlaps with the pool, was an error, the photographer was going to bin it but the band loved it