The band comprised of Andrew Sherriff (guitar/vocals), Stephen Patman (guitar/vocals), Simon Rowe (guitar), Jon Curtis (bass) and Ashley Bates (drums).
Chapterhouse took the unusual step of rehearsing and gigging for well over a year before recording even a demo tape. They were initially lumped in with the British acid rock scene, a mistake hardly rectified by the band's early performances supporting the rather laid-back Spacemen 3. Chapterhouse eventually escaped from that genre only to find themselves thrust amongst the shoegaze groups of 1991 (with the likes of Lush, Ride, Moose and Slowdive), so called because of the bands' static live shows and insular music.
Bassist Jon Curtis left early on to study, being replaced by Russell Barrett, who also fronted his own garage band, the Bikinis. Chapterhouse eventually signed to the newly formed Dedicated label, releasing a series of lavishly acclaimed singles, including Pearl, which reached the UK Top 75, and which revelled in distorted melodies and attracted a healthy following.
Their first LP Whirlpool, released in 1991, has been cited as one of the genre's high points, but failed to capture a wider market. In the same year, Chapterhouse also appeared to muted reaction at Reading Festival immediately following Nirvana's UK debut, an event which was seen to sound the death knell for shoegazing.
Blood Music, stylistically different, was released in 1993. Two singles from this album, She's a Vision and We Are the Beautiful, were relatively successful, but the album was withdrawn due to a sample-related lawsuit. Global Communication reworked Blood Music for their album Pentamerous Metamorphosis. Spooky remixed We Are Beautiful: We Are the Beautiful (Spooky's Ugly as Sin mix) / We Are the Beautiful (Spooky's Extravaganja dub mix).
The band split in 1994 and released no further new material other than a double CD in 1996 called Rownderbout, compiling their singles, various B-sides, rarities and unreleased demos. Sherriff went on to form Bio.com, Bates formed Cuba and Rowe went on to play guitar for Mojave 3.
The music of Chapterhouse was mostly out of print on CD until March 2006, when Cherry Red Records reissued the album Whirlpool with bonus tracks, and for the first time, lyrics.
The band played a version of Love Forever with Ulrich Schnauss on the Barn Stage at the 2008 edition of Truck Festival. In response to requests over the years, Chapterhouse played live at Club AC30's Reverence show at the ICA on 26 November 2009 along with Ulrich Schnauss and Kirsty Hawkshaw.
This was preceded on 23 November by a warm up show at the Luminaire in Kilburn. The band also played at The Scala in London on 18 March 2010, and undertook short tours of Japan in April 2010 and North America in May 2010. The North American tour had to be postponed due to the Icelandic ash cloud cancelling flights, stranding Patman in Japan. Chapterhouse rescheduled the North American tour for September and October 2010.
The band has yet to continue touring beyond 2010.
Breather
Chapterhouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Breather, sleeper
Make me happy
Misty, crystal
Blister, eternal
Soft and liquid in the light
Passing time in black and white
If only I could dream tonight
On my own
Teenage lessons set me right
Taught me how to dream tonight
Love me warm in cold daylight
Soft as skin and safe inside
Smother silky sin so fine
Make believe that you are mine
On my own
Tears and sorrow set me right
Taught me how to dream tonight
The lyrics to Chapterhouse's song "Breather" seem to be about seeking comfort and temporary escape from a difficult reality. The repeated line "Make me happy" suggests a desire for pleasure to alleviate pain or sadness. The reference to being a "breather, sleeper" could be interpreted as wanting to rest or retreat from the complexities of life. The use of contrasting imagery in "Misty, crystal / Blister, eternal" highlights the apparent tension between the desire for clarity and the harsh realities that may persist. The lines "Soft and liquid in the light / Secret otherworldly sight" could be read as a yearning for something beautiful and mystical that is not present in everyday life. The wish to dream "tonight" is repeated several times, suggesting a longing for a temporary escape from reality, and perhaps a belief that dreaming may lead to greater clarity or understanding.
The later verses of the song further emphasize the theme of seeking comfort and safety. The lines "Love me warm in cold daylight / Soft as skin and safe inside / Smother silky sin so fine / Make believe that you are mine" evoke a desire for intimacy and security. However, the repeated use of the phrase "On my own" suggests that the singer is ultimately alone in their search for comfort and meaning. The final lines "Tears and sorrow set me right / Taught me how to dream tonight" evoke a sense of resilience and hope, suggesting that even in moments of darkness, dreaming and introspection may offer solace and guidance.
Line by Line Meaning
Please me, make me happy
Requesting someone to make the singer happy.
Breather, sleeper
Suggesting to the listener to take a break and rest.
Make me happy
Reiterating the request for happiness.
Misty, crystal
Describing a beautiful but fleeting image.
Blister, eternal
Contrasting the pain and the everlasting nature of something.
Soft and liquid in the light
Describing something delicate and fluid under illumination.
Secret otherworldly sight
Talking about an elusive and mystical vision.
Passing time in black and white
Describing time as mundane and uninteresting.
If only I could dream tonight
Wishing to be able to dream to escape reality.
On my own
Acknowledging the loneliness of the artist.
Teenage lessons set me right
Implying self-awareness and growth through past experiences.
Taught me how to dream tonight
Reflecting on how past lessons shaped the ability to dream.
Love me warm in cold daylight
Asking for love and affection in trying times.
Soft as skin and safe inside
Describing the ideal comfort and security of love.
Smother silky sin so fine
Describing the indulgence and allure of temptation.
Make believe that you are mine
Wishing for someone to pretend to belong to the artist.
Tears and sorrow set me right
Expressing gratitude towards past emotional pain for teaching lessons.
Taught me how to dream tonight
Reflecting on past emotional struggles leading to the ability to dream and escape.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDREW JAMES SHERRIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stdrum-nb6qr
Please me, make me happy
Breather, sleeper
Make me happy
Misty, crystal
Blister, eternal
Soft and liquid in the light
Secret otherworldly sight
Passing time in black and white
If only I could dream tonight
On my own
Teenage lessons set me right
Taught me how to dream tonight
Love me warm in cold daylight
Soft as skin and safe inside
Smother silky sin so fine
Make believe that you are mine
On my own
Tears and sorrow set me right
Taught me how to dream tonight
@audiolab303
i miss real music like this. The late eighties and early nineties produced some of the best alternative music bands ever. and Chapterhouse is one of them.
@salvia9
hey what’s up how’s life are you still alive sir
@dirkd.2024
real music
@shutupdork
"I miss real music!" My brother in Christ real music is everywhere.
@shoegazer93
Just a truely GREAT song! The rush of distortion, the frantic drumming, breathy, gliding vocals, the main riff, the intro volume swell, the guitar effects, the melody, oh, this is just Shoegaze perfection! <3
@vitaliksavonevsky6108
Shoegazer 93 nothing to add, we breathe the same air:-)
@aryelrodriguez1211
We're all just fucking high right now right lol
@dpclerks09
@@aryelrodriguez1211 Nah. You don't always need to be. Just turn it up louder.
@theoogabear
dang man i can't believe i've watched this 145,102 times. the other two people have good taste
@TheNeverposts
thanks ^^