Everybody seems to be getting back together these days, be it Oasis and Pulp to Slowdive and Ride. One of the holdouts, though, is Catherine Wheel, one of the best groups to emerge out of the original UK shoegaze scene. The band formed in 1990 and broke up in 2000 just after releasing their fifth album, Wishville.
As spotted on Indieheads, frontman Rob Dickinson, who left showbiz to found Singer Vehicle Design, a company that remodels and re-imagines Porsche 911 sportscars, appeared on the Guy Perryman Interviews podcast this summer to talk about two of his great passions, music and cars, and the chances his band might reform.
“I haven’t seen any of the band since our final show, which was Wembley Arena opening for the Smashing Pumpkins,” Rob told Guy. “We shook hands, buggered off and haven’t seen each other since. It’s a very British way of splitting up…I haven’t picked up a guitar for 15 years.”
As for the possibility of a Catherine Wheel reunion, Rob said it seemed likely, though he didn’t give any specifics and it didn’t seem like there was a plan in action. “I do think I’ll come back to it, eventually. I do think we’ll make another record, actually, before we all die.” Sooner than later, Rob!
Listen to the podcast interview below.
There was some speculation that Catherine Wheel were getting back together in 2023 but it turned out to be an announcement that their first two EPs were finally hitting streaming services.
Catherine Wheel made our lists of 30 Essential Songs of the Shoegaze / Heavy Crossover, and 20 Best Shoegaze EPs of the Early ’90s.