Chris Catalyst

Last updated

Chris Catalyst
ChrisCatalyst Worcester.jpg
Catalyst performing with Eureka Machines in Worcester
Background information
Also known asRobochrist
OriginEngland
Genres Rock, punk, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar
Website chriscatalyst.com

Chris Catalyst is a British rock guitarist, known for his work with the Sisters of Mercy, Ugly Kid Joe, Ginger Wildheart, Terrorvision, the Professionals, Mariachi El Bronx, the Scaramanga Six and his own band, Eureka Machines, as well as his more recent solo career. In 2022, he confirmed that he has been a 'Nameless Ghoul' that tours with the Swedish metal band Ghost. [1]

Contents

Career

The Sisters of Mercy

Catalyst joined the Sisters of Mercy as rhythm guitarist and backing singer in 2005. [2]

Despite collaborating with Andrew on the first new Sisters material in almost a decade, in 2019, frustrated with Eldritch's slow-paced work ethic, and becoming more busy and successful with his own projects, Catalyst stepped down from the band. [3]

Chris rejoined the band for their Autumn 2023 European tour, performing the duties of the Nurse (operator of the Doktor Avalanche drum machine).

Eureka Machines

In 2007, Catalyst started the group Eureka Machines, [4] singing and playing guitar again, as well as writing the songs.

Debut album Do Or Die was released in September 2008 on the Wrath Records label. It received a five-star review in national newspaper The Sun. Do or Die also gained positive reviews from Kerrang!, Classic Rock, Rock Sound, Leeds Guide, Sandman magazine, No Title magazine and Black Velvet Fanzine. [5] Catalyst recorded and mixed the album from his home studio.

It was followed by the second album Champion The Underdog in May 2011, which was supported by tours in both the UK and Europe. This was recorded and mixed by Catalyst and Jason Edwards. The Sun once again awarded a positive review, saying 'Eureka Machines could be the best band you've never heard'.

In 2012, the band appeared in the British soap opera Emmerdale, [6] playing at a fictional music festival, filmed as part of the soap's 40th birthday celebrations. It was Catalyst's second appearance on Emmerdale, following his 2004 appearance as a Dingle at a family party. The band reverted to crowdfunding for their third release, Remain In Hope, released following a successful campaign on PledgeMusic in February 2013. This was promoted with tours supporting the Wildhearts and Gogol Bordello. This album was recorded and mixed by Catalyst and Andy Hawkins at Cottage Road in Leeds.

Catalyst performing in 2009 Chris Catalyst.jpg
Catalyst performing in 2009

Fourth album Brain Waves followed in May 2015, following another successful PledgeMusic campaign. This ended up hitting the UK charts at Number 75, as well as making Number 3 in the rock charts and Number 1 in the Indie Breakers chart.[ citation needed ] This album was recorded and mixed by Catalyst and Andy Hawkins at The Nave in Leeds.

In April 2019, Eureka Machines released fifth album Victories, again appearing on the Wrath Records imprint. This release was augmented by a double-album called Rarities which catalogued the band's unreleased activity over the decade, and a selection of covers the band have recorded.

Eureka Machines also released a double-disc DVD in 2015, featuring the band's set from the Brudenell Social Club in November 2014, as well as all of their promo videos and outtakes to date.

Solo career

In January 2017, Catalyst released his debut solo album, Life Is Often Brilliant, upon which he performed all of the instruments apart from some piano and keys, which were provided by Willie Dowling and Bryan Scary.

In April 2021, Catalyst followed this up with Kaleidoscopes, upon which again he performed all of the instruments apart from the drums, which were provided by Jason Bowld. This hit No 3 in the UK Rock Chart and 25 in the Official Album Chart.[ citation needed ] It was supplemented with videos for "Make Good Art" (featuring author Neil Gaiman), "The Ride" and "King Of Everything".

Ginger Wildheart/the Wildhearts

In 2005, Catalyst supported the Wildhearts in the UK and Japan, as 'Robochrist', a techno-metal comedy act he started In 2004. Catalyst performed backing vocals on the Ginger Wildheart album Yoni, recorded with Tim Smith and released in January 2007).

Catalyst helped record the concept album Market Harbour with Tim Smith and released in January 2008. Catalyst was involved in the electronics and production, as well as backing vocals.

In 2011, helped write and record the 555% triple-album, along with Willie Dowling, Jon Poole, Fyfe Ewing and Ritch Battersby. The album charted at Number 9 in the UK charts. [7]

2013 saw Catalyst, Ginger, Jon Poole, Rich Jones, Denzel, Victoria Liedtke and Brian Scary collaborate for the Albion album. Another crowd-funded effort, this was described as 'spine tingling' and given 4/5 by Classic Rock magazine.[ citation needed ]

In 2021, Catalyst contributed backing vocals for the Wildhearts' ninth studio album 21st Century Love Songs, which peaked at 9 in the UK Album Charts.[ citation needed ]

Later that year, Wildhearts guitarist CJ contracted COVID-19, leading the band to ask Catalyst to step in for him for a number of shows on their 21st Century Love Songs album tour. [8]

Ugly Kid Joe

Having been a touring guitar technician for Californian rockers Ugly Kid Joe on a tour with Skid Row in 2013, when guitarist Sonny Mayo was unavailable, Catalyst performed lead and rhythm guitar for a seven-week UK/Europe tour. Catalyst also returned to Ugly Kid Joe in 2023 for the end of their Rad Wings of Destiny USA leg. [9]

The Professionals

In 2017 Catalyst contributed guitars to the reformed Professionals album What In The World. This was reprised on the 2021 album 'SNAFU', which also featured Billy Duffy, Phil Collen and Chris McCormack. Catalyst joined for a tour in Summer 2021. [10]

Ghost

At the end of Ghost's European tour in April 2022, Catalyst revealed himself on Twitter as one of the bands "Nameless Ghouls". [1] Catalyst has been playing the role of rhythm guitarist, Nameless Ghoul 'Aether' since 2017, with the band members previously hidden identities now public. As of 1 June 2023, he reported that he was no longer a member of Ghost. [11]

Other work

Catalyst also played second drums and keyboards for Huddersfield band the Scaramanga Six from 2004 to 2009, recording the albums The Dance Of Death, Hot Flesh Rumble and Songs Of Prey with Tim Smith. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sisters of Mercy</span> English rock band

The Sisters of Mercy are an English rock band formed in Leeds in 1980. After achieving early underground fame there, the band had their commercial breakthrough in the mid-1980s and sustained it until the early 1990s, when they stopped releasing new records in protest against their record company, WEA. Currently, although the band are a touring outfit only, they continue to perform new and unreleased music live.

Terrorvision are an English rock band. They were formed in 1987 in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England, and initially disbanded in 2001. The band used Bradford as a base after the name change to Terrorvision in 1991, by which time the band members had all moved there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wildhearts</span> English rock group

The Wildhearts are an English rock band, formed in 1989 in Newcastle upon Tyne. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music, often described in the music press as combining influences as diverse as the Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica. The Wildhearts achieved several top 20 singles and two top 10 albums in Britain, though they also faced difficulties with record companies and many internal problems often relating to drugs and depression. Much of the band's early career was affected by bitter feuds with their record company, East West.

Wolfsbane are an English heavy metal band, active from 1984 to 1994, and again since 2010, following two brief reunions. To date, the band has released five studio albums, two live albums, two compilation albums, two EPs and three demos. Wolfsbane are now notable for being vocalist Blaze Bayley's band before he went on to replace Bruce Dickinson in Iron Maiden and then pursue a solo career. In addition to Bayley, the band's current lineup includes guitarist Jason "Jase" Edwards, bassist Jeff Hateley and drummer Steve Danger.

<i>P.H.U.Q.</i> 1995 studio album by The Wildhearts

P.H.U.Q. is the second full length album by British Rock band The Wildhearts, which was released on 22 May 1995 on East West Records and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 6.

<i>Endless, Nameless</i> (album) 1997 studio album by The Wildhearts

Endless, Nameless is the third studio album by English rock band The Wildhearts, released in 1997. It was the band's first release on Mushroom Records and their only full album with guitarist Jef Streatfield. The songs "Urge" and "Anthem" were released as singles. The album reached no. 41 on the British album chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Poole</span> Musical artist

Jonathan Charles Poole, also known by his stage name Random Jon Poole, is an English musician and songwriter. A multi-instrumentalist, singer and producer, he is best known for his work as guitarist for Cardiacs and as bass player for the Wildhearts and Lifesigns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Wildheart</span> British musician

Christopher Paul Persaud-Jagdhar, known professionally as C. J. Wildheart, is an English musician of Guyanese and Seychellois descent. He is a solo artist and also a founding member of the rock band The Wildhearts. He was born in Colchester, and his early childhood was spent living in various military bases in Malaysia and Europe whilst his father and mother served in the British army. The family eventually moved back to the UK during his teens.

Rich Jones is an English guitarist born in Coventry in 1973. He has since played music worldwide and lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, London, and Berlin. He now lives in Toronto with his family.

Danny McCormack is an English singer and bassist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Sorry</span> American musician

Scott Sorry is an American singer songwriter. Prior to being a solo artist Scott played with The Wildhearts, Sorry and the Sinatras, Amen and briefly Brides of Destruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ginger Wildheart</span> British rock musician

Ginger Wildheart, sometimes known simply as Ginger, is an English rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He began his professional career as a guitarist in The Quireboys, but is best known as the founder and leader of The Wildhearts. In addition, he has released numerous solo albums and has been involved in many other musical projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Scaramanga Six</span> English rock band

The Scaramanga Six are an English rock band. Originally formed in 1995 and based in Huddersfield, the band currently consists of multi-instrumentalist founder members Paul Morricone and Steven Morricone, plus Julia Arnez and Gareth Champion (drums).

<i>¡Chutzpah!</i>

¡Chutzpah! is the eighth studio album by British rock band The Wildhearts. Recorded at producer Jacob Hansen's studio in Ribe, Denmark, it was released on 31 August 2009 by Backstage Alliance. The album was the band's final studio release for ten years as well as the last to feature bassist Scott Sorry, who left in 2012. ¡Chutzpah! reached number 53 on the UK Albums Chart and was the band's first album since 1997's Endless, Nameless to top the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Thwaite</span> British guitarist

Mark Gemini Thwaite, also known as MGT, is an English musician who has been the guitarist for a number of rock bands and artists, including The Mission, trip hop pioneer Tricky, Peter Murphy of Bauhaus, New Disease, Spear of Destiny & Theatre of Hate, Mob Research, and Canadian band National Velvet plus various live and recorded appearances with Gary Numan, Al Jourgensen of Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Roger Daltrey of the Who, P.J. Harvey, Alanis Morissette, Raymond Watts and PIG, Primitive Race, Ricky Warwick of Thin Lizzy, Ginger of The Wildhearts, Stan Lee of Marvel Comics, Franz Treichler of The Young Gods, Miles Hunt & The Wonder Stuff, Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, American rapper DMX, Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst and Porl Thompson of The Cure and Ville Valo of Finnish band HIM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eureka Machines</span> British pop rock band

Eureka Machines are a British pop rock band based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, who formed in 2007. The band consists of Chris Catalyst on lead vocals & guitar, Davros on guitar & backing vocals, Pete Human on bass guitar & backing vocals and Wayne Insane on drums. Described as "power pop" by Classic Rock magazine, they are something of a cottage industry, putting out their own records and being self-managing and self-promoting while also touring and gaining press coverage and airplay at a national level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghost (Swedish band)</span> Swedish rock band

Ghost is a Swedish rock band known for its distinctive blend of theatricality, heavy metal, and arena rock. Formed in Linköping in 2006, the band first gained attention with their 2010 three-track demo, followed by the 7-inch vinyl "Elizabeth" and their debut album, Opus Eponymous. This album, nominated for a Grammis and featuring the song "Ritual"—listed by Kerrang! as one of "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever"—catapulted them to international recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Chaos</span> Scottish rock band

Baby Chaos are a Scottish rock band based in Glasgow, Scotland, who originally formed in Ayrshire in 1993, then returned in 2015 after a long hiatus. The band consists of Chris Gordon on lead vocals and guitar, Grant McFarlane on guitar and backing vocals, Alan Easton on guitar, Bobby Dunn on bass and Davy Greenwood on drums.

<i>Renaissance Men</i> 2019 studio album by The Wildhearts

Renaissance Men is the ninth studio album by British rock band The Wildhearts. Recorded at Treehouse Studio in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, it was produced by Jim Pinder and released on 3 May 2019 by Graphite Records, as the group's first studio album in ten years. The album was the band's first release since P.H.U.Q. in 1995 to reach the top twenty of the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number 11. Opening song "Dislocated" was released as the only single from the album.

References

  1. 1 2 Twitter https://twitter.com/ChrisCatalyst/status/1527053678171103232 . Retrieved 18 May 2022.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ↑ "The Sisters of Mercy – biography". TheSistersOfMercy. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Classic Rock Magazine article". LouderSound. 15 July 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Eureka Machines – biography". EurekaMachines. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Black Velvet Magazine – Issue 68". BlackVelvetMagazine. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  6. ↑ "YouTube – Eureka Machines on Emmerdale". YouTube. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "Stereoboard – Ginger Wildheart New Album Storms To Number 9 In Midweek Album Charts". Stereoboard. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "IPA Music – The Wildhearts are in wonderland in their first hometown gig in 30 years". IPAMusic. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  9. ↑ "Facebook – Klaus and Chris Catalyst backstage in Sheffield". Facebook. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  10. ↑ "God Save The Sex Pistols – Paul Cook interview". GodSaveTheSexPistols. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Chris Catalyst Twitter Post". Twitter. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Scaramanga Six – other personnel". TheScaramangaSix. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.