Catherine Wheel – Ferment

Formed in Great Yarmouth in 1990, Catherine Wheel – singer guitarist Rob Dickinson, guitarist Brian Futter, bassist Dave Hawes and drummer Neil Sims – are possibly one of the greatest lost bands of that fabled decade – Swimming against several tides, they were loosely defined as ‘shoegaze’, and failed to fit in with the grunge or britpop movements in those years.

They were of a size and scale to be supported by the upcoming Radiohead. Melody Maker said that Radiohead were like Catherine Wheel as they “function along a similar catharsis/contrivance axis, ladling existential angst into skilfully imposing song structures.

After a contract race with Creation and Opal Records, Catherine Wheel signed to Fontana. In June 1992, they released their debut album, Ferment, which was produced by Tim Friese-Greene, who had just recently finished working with Talk Talk. Its muscular rock was often mesmeric, and its lead single Black Metallic created huge interest. The album was ranked No 23 in Pitchfork’s 50 Best Shoegaze albums of all time.

This re-issue faithfully replicates the original 1992 Fontana UK release and is pressed onto high quality 180g vinyl.

Also included is the three-track live 12″ EP, recorded at Bath Moles Club on 6 November 1991 which was is pressed onto 140g vinyl.

Format – LP/12” EP