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 Two singles from this album, She's a Vision and We Are the Beautiful, were relatively successful, but the album was withdrawn due to a sample-related lawsuit.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.
Mesmerise
Chapterhouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is here even now
Holding my mind
With your second sign
Mesmerise
Leaving
I'm with you
All the time
Reach me
And you'll find
I watch you
Come alive
Don't stop to follow
Dream for tomorrow
Never have shine
Have second sign
Mesmerise
Mesmerise
Leaving
What's mine
I'm with you
All the time
Reach me
And you'll find
I watch you
Come alive
Mesmerise
Mesmerise
Mesmerise
The lyrics to Chapterhouse's "Mesmerise" allude to the idea of being under someone's spell, or being hypnotized by them. The scarlet hour may refer to a specific moment where the feeling of enthrallment began, or it could represent the entire time spent under the influence of the other person. The second sign hints at a subtle change in behavior that draws the singer further into this state of fascination. The repeated use of "mesmerise" emphasizes the intensity of the situation, and the urgency to react to its pull.
The chorus is addressed to the person causing this effect, with the singer stating that they are always present and watching them come alive. It is unclear whether this admiration borders on obsession, or whether it is simply an appreciation of the other's power to inspire. The last few lines of the chorus suggest a willingness to follow the other person's lead, without questioning or hesitating. The final repetition of "mesmerise" closes the song on a note of suspense, as if the singer is still in limbo and waiting for the next command.
Line by Line Meaning
Your scarlet hour
The time when you are at your most powerful and captivating
Is here even now
It's happening at this very moment
Holding my mind
You have complete control over my thoughts and emotions
With your second sign
You have a mysterious, compelling way of communicating that draws me to you
Mesmerise
You are completely captivating me
Leaving
Letting go of everything else
What's mine
All of my possessions, concerns and distractions
I'm with you
I'm focusing entirely on you and your world
All the time
24/7, round the clock
Reach me
Make contact with me
And you'll find
You'll discover something extraordinary
I watch you
I'm observing you closely and intently
Come alive
You blossom and flourish when you are in your element
Don't stop to follow
Don't lose sight of your dreams and passions for anything or anyone
Dream for tomorrow
Believe in a better future and work towards it
Never have shine
Don't settle for mediocrity
Have second sign
Follow your intuition and unique way of expressing yourself
Mesmerise
You have a powerful hold over me
Mesmerise
Completely captivate me
Mesmerise
I'm spellbound by you
Contributed by Jason M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@KarenKayH
In an interview in Sept 1992 Guitar Player (Joe Gore interviewer of The Cure for the mag) , Robert Smith said that this is one of his top 5 favorites (at that time). He said that he went into a trance after listening to this 20 times in a row.
@newbadthings
That's super rad. Thanks for sharing.
@mattflint1992
And Smith channeled that into the Cure album Wish.
@olympian3
NEAT! Robert Smith is a god. I've been listening to this album for a looong time and its always been so underrated. Its just pure magic.
Falling down supposedly inspired "Mysterious Ways" by U2 to some degree, pretty sure they were fans of this album too
It could be the most underrated album of the nineties
They also played right after nirvana at reading festival... This band has a ton of history
@Tobycek
Robert Smith is a fan of all the bands I love. That’s how I know he’s a top, top bloke.
@dirtmcgirt1038
that's something spacemen 3 did, listen to the same song over and over again, it does put you in a kind of trance. and that concept definitely comes through in their music, very repetitive (in a good way)
@olympian3
This album is 30 years old and it still sounds timeless
@adamv242
No, it sounds exactly like the early 90s.
@LaTortuePGM
@Chuck Ficago yes that's what i was gonna say lol, it's not forcefully bad though
@stylinsammy74
Whirlpool will always be one of those albums that reminds me of high school. Beautiful music then and now💜