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{{Short description|British shoegaze band}}
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| years_active = 1987–1994, 2008–2010
| years_active = 1987–1994, 2008–2010
| label = [[Dedicated Records]], [[Cherry Red Records|Cherry Red]]
| label = [[Dedicated Records]], [[Cherry Red Records|Cherry Red]]
| current_members = Andrew Sherriff<br />Ashley Bates<br />Russell Barrett<br />Stephen Patman<br />Simon Rowe
| current_members = Andrew Sherriff<br />Stephen Patman<br />Simon Rowe<br />Ashley Bates
| past_members = Steve Wren<br />Jon Curtis
| past_members = Jon Curtis<br />Russell Barrett<br />Steve Wren
}}
}}


'''Chapterhouse''' were a British [[shoegaze]] band from [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], England.<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]|date=2000|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|isbn=0-7535-0427-8|editor-last=Larkin|editor-first=Colin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|edition=First|pages=[https://archive.org/details/virginencycloped0000unse_w9d5/page/83/mode/2up 83/4]}}</ref> Formed in 1987 by Andrew Sherriff and Stephen Patman, the band began performing alongside [[Spacemen 3]].<ref name="Larkin90"/> They released two albums: ''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'' (1991) and ''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'' (1993). The group temporarily reformed in 2008 after being asked to join [[Ulrich Schnauss]] onstage to perform his cover version of their song "Love Forever" at the [[Truck Festival]] in Oxfordshire.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210609/https://www.chapterhouse.info/Biography.html | url=http://www.chapterhouse.info/Biography.html | title=Biography | url-status=dead}}</ref> The band finished the brief reunion with two gigs in London (2009–2010) and tours in North America and Japan in 2010.<ref name="OfficialSite">{{cite web | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-date=14 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114192737/http://www.chapterhouse.info/The_Official_Chapterhouse_Website.html | url=http://www.chapterhouse.info/The_Official_Chapterhouse_Website.html | title=The Official Chapterhouse Website | url-status=dead}}</ref>
'''Chapterhouse''' were a British [[shoegaze]] band from [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]], [[Berkshire]], England.<ref name="Larkin90">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music]]|date=2000|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|isbn=0-7535-0427-8|editor-last=Larkin|editor-first=Colin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|edition=First|pages=[https://archive.org/details/virginencycloped0000unse_w9d5/page/83/mode/2up 83/4]}}</ref> Formed in 1987 by Andrew Sherriff, Stephen Patman and Simon Rowe, the band began performing alongside [[Spacemen 3]].<ref name="Larkin90"/><ref name="pbm">{{cite web|last=Breznikar|first=Klemen|date=11 May 2023|title=Simon Rowe / Chapterhouse / Mojave 3 / Interview / New Solo Album, 'Everybody's Thinking'|url=https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2023/05/simon-rowe-chapterhouse-mojave-3-interview-new-solo-album-everybodys-thinking.html|access-date=13 March 2024|website=Psychedelic Baby Magazine}}</ref> They released two albums: ''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'' (1991) and ''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'' (1993). The group temporarily reformed in 2008 after being asked to join [[Ulrich Schnauss]] onstage to perform his cover version of their song "Love Forever" at the [[Truck Festival]] in Oxfordshire.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210609/https://www.chapterhouse.info/Biography.html | url=http://www.chapterhouse.info/Biography.html | title=Biography | url-status=dead}}</ref> The band finished the brief reunion with two gigs in London (2009–2010) and tours in North America and Japan in 2010.<ref name="OfficialSite">{{cite web | access-date=3 January 2016 | archive-date=14 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114192737/http://www.chapterhouse.info/The_Official_Chapterhouse_Website.html | url=http://www.chapterhouse.info/The_Official_Chapterhouse_Website.html | title=The Official Chapterhouse Website | url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
The band comprised Andrew Sherriff (b.16 May 1969, [[Wokingham]], England), Stephen Patman (b. 8 November 1968, [[Windsor, Berkshire]], England), Simon Rowe (b. 23 June 1969, Reading, Berkshire), Jon Curtis and Ashley Bates (b. 2 November 1971, Reading).<ref name="Larkin90"/>
The band comprised Andrew Sherriff (b.16 May 1969, [[Wokingham]], England), Stephen Patman (b. 8 November 1968, [[Windsor, Berkshire]], England), Simon Rowe (b. 23 June 1969, Reading, Berkshire), Jon Curtis and Ashley Bates (b. 2 November 1971, Reading).<ref name="Larkin90"/>


Rowe described that Chapterhouse was born from "friendship and common interests" among the founding members: Rowe, Sherriff and Patman. Rowe and Sherriff were next door neighbours who went to the same secondary school with Patman. As teenagers, they used to go to shows such as [[Cocteau Twins]], [[The Jesus and Mary Chain]], [[The Fall (band)|The Fall]] and others. The common musical interests the three shared then led them to learn guitar at age 17/18 and to form the band at about age 19.<ref name="pbm"/>
Chapterhouse rehearsed and gigged for well over a year before recording a demo tape.<ref name="Larkin90"/> They were initially lumped in with the British [[acid rock]] genre, eventually becoming a part of the shoegazing scene along with acts such as [[Lush (band)|Lush]], [[Moose (band)|Moose]], [[Ride (band)|Ride]] and [[Slowdive]].<ref name="Larkin90"/>


In 1989, the band moved to London to take a more serious path.<ref name="pbm"/> They rehearsed and gigged for well over a year before recording a demo tape.<ref name="Larkin90"/> They were initially lumped in with the British [[acid rock]] genre, eventually becoming a part of the shoegazing scene along with acts such as [[Lush (band)|Lush]], [[Moose (band)|Moose]], [[Ride (band)|Ride]] and [[Slowdive]].<ref name="Larkin90"/>
Bassist Jon Curtis left the group to study, and was replaced by Russell Barrett (b. 7 November 1968, [[Vermont]], United States) 1990.<ref name="Larkin90"/>

Bassist Jon Curtis left the group to study, and was replaced by Russell Barrett (b. 7 November 1968, [[Vermont]], United States) in 1990.<ref name="Larkin90"/>


Chapterhouse signed to the newly formed [[Dedicated Records|Dedicated]] label, releasing a series of singles, including "Pearl",<ref name="Larkin90" /> which featured guest vocals by [[Rachel Goswell]] of Slowdive and reached No.&nbsp;67 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
Chapterhouse signed to the newly formed [[Dedicated Records|Dedicated]] label, releasing a series of singles, including "Pearl",<ref name="Larkin90" /> which featured guest vocals by [[Rachel Goswell]] of Slowdive and reached No.&nbsp;67 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 100}}</ref>
| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 100}}</ref>


The band's first album, ''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'', released in 1991,<ref name="Larkin90"/> has been cited as one of the genre's high points, but failed to capture a wider market despite reaching No.&nbsp;23 in the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> In the same year, Chapterhouse also appeared in their home town [[Reading Festival]] immediately following [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s performance.
The band's first album, ''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'', released in 1991,<ref name="Larkin90"/> has been cited as one of the genre's high points, but failed to capture a wider market despite reaching No.&nbsp;23 in the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> In the same year, Chapterhouse also appeared in their home town [[Reading Festival]] immediately following [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s performance.


The band's second album ''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'', which was stylistically different, was released in 1993.<ref name="Larkin90"/> Singles from the album "She's a Vision" and "We Are the Beautiful" were relatively successful. Some copies of ''Blood Music'' included a bonus disc "retranslated" by [[Global Communication]], called ''[[Pentamerous Metamorphosis]]'' that was withdrawn due to a [[sampling (music)|sampling]] lawsuit, but later reissued in a slightly altered version.
The band's second album ''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'', which was stylistically different, was released in 1993.<ref name="Larkin90"/> According to Rowe, while the first album "originally had a very raw feel" and was made as an attempt by the band to sound like [[The Stooges]] live, ''Blood Music'' was "a different concept altogether". It had a lot more [[dance music]] influences that mainly came into play from Sherriff.<ref name="pbm"/> Singles from the album "She's a Vision" and "We Are the Beautiful" were relatively successful. Some copies of ''Blood Music'' included a bonus disc "retranslated" by [[Global Communication]], called ''[[Pentamerous Metamorphosis]]'' that was withdrawn due to a [[sampling (music)|sampling]] lawsuit, but later reissued in a slightly altered version.


The band then released no further new material other than a [[double album]], ''Rownderbowt'', in 1996, compiling their singles, various [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]], rarities and unreleased demos which featured Slowdive drummer Simon Scott. Sherriff went on to form Bio.com and Rowe went on to play guitar for [[Mojave 3]]. Bates formed [[Air Cuba (band)|Cuba]] and now plays in the British folktronica band [[Tunng]], and Chapterhouse ceased for almost fifteen years.
The band then released no further new material other than a [[double album]], ''Rownderbowt'', in 1996, compiling their singles, various [[A-side and B-side|b-sides]], rarities and unreleased demos which featured Slowdive drummer Simon Scott. Sherriff went on to form Bio.com and Rowe went on to play guitar for [[Mojave 3]]. Bates formed [[Air Cuba (band)|Cuba]] and now plays in the British folktronica band [[Tunng]], and Chapterhouse ceased for almost fifteen years.


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 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ticketweb.uk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302173242/http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=357791|url-status=dead|title=TicketWeb - independent music concert tickets and more|archive-date=2 March 2010|website=Ticketweb.uk|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> The North American tour had to be postponed due to the Icelandic ash cloud cancelling flights, stranding Patman in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kott|first=Crispin|date=4 May 2010|title=Chapterhouse Battles Eyjafjallajökull, Postpones North American Tour|url=https://www.popmatters.com/125042-chapterhouse-battles-eyjafjallajoekull-postpones-north-american-tour-2496199745.html|access-date=3 December 2019|website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> Chapterhouse rescheduled the North American tour for September and October 2010.<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|last=Kott|first=Crispin|date=29 September 2010|title=Shoegaze Legends Chapterhouse Tour and Talk to PopMatters|url=https://www.popmatters.com/131490-chapterhouse-2496133687.html|access-date=7 October 2010|website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> No plans were made for any other shows and the band ended the brief reunion in 2010.<ref name=OfficialSite/>
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 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ticketweb.uk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100302173242/http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=357791|url-status=dead|title=TicketWeb - independent music concert tickets and more|archive-date=2 March 2010|website=Ticketweb.uk|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> The North American tour had to be postponed due to the Icelandic ash cloud cancelling flights, stranding Patman in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kott|first=Crispin|date=4 May 2010|title=Chapterhouse Battles Eyjafjallajökull, Postpones North American Tour|url=https://www.popmatters.com/125042-chapterhouse-battles-eyjafjallajoekull-postpones-north-american-tour-2496199745.html|access-date=3 December 2019|website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> Chapterhouse rescheduled the North American tour for September and October 2010.<ref name="popmatters">{{cite web|last=Kott|first=Crispin|date=29 September 2010|title=Shoegaze Legends Chapterhouse Tour and Talk to PopMatters|url=https://www.popmatters.com/131490-chapterhouse-2496133687.html|access-date=7 October 2010|website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref> No plans were made for any other shows and the band ended the brief reunion in 2010.<ref name=OfficialSite/>


On 22 March 2023, the band announced a deluxe CD [[box set]] release entitled ''Chronology''. It will contain previously released albums, singles, [[B-side|b-sides]], [[remix|remixes]], and [[Demo (music)|demos]], including twenty unreleased songs. It is set to be released on 26 May 2023 through Cherry Red Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=694480536016392&set=a.694480826016363|title=Chapterhouse|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/chapterhouse-chronology-albums-singles-b-sides-remixes-demos-6cd-deluxe-box-set/|title=Chapterhouse: Chronology Albums, Singles, B-Sides, Remixes & Demos, 6CD Deluxe Box Set|website=cherryred.co.uk|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>
On 22 March 2023, the band announced a deluxe CD [[box set]] release entitled ''Chronology''. It contains previously released albums, singles, b-sides, [[remix]]es, and [[Demo (music)|demos]], including twenty unreleased songs. It was released on 26 May 2023 through Cherry Red Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=694480536016392&set=a.694480826016363|title=Chapterhouse|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/chapterhouse-chronology-albums-singles-b-sides-remixes-demos-6cd-deluxe-box-set/|title=Chapterhouse: Chronology Albums, Singles, B-Sides, Remixes & Demos, 6CD Deluxe Box Set|website=cherryred.co.uk|access-date=22 March 2023}}</ref>


== Post-breakup ==
== Post-breakup ==
Since 1997, Sherriff has been working as a [[composer]]/[[sound designer]] for an [[Emmy Award]]-winning [[music production]] company Adelphoi Music. Patman and Bates joined him later in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adelphoimusic.com/story|title=Story — Adelphoi Music|website=Adelphoimusic.com|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref>
In 1997, Sherriff started working as a [[composer]]/[[sound designer]] for an [[Emmy Award]]-winning [[music production]] company Adelphoi Music. Patman and Bates joined him later in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adelphoimusic.com/story|title=Story — Adelphoi Music|website=Adelphoimusic.com|access-date=3 December 2019}}</ref> After more than twenty years, they departed from the company, pursuing their career as freelance composers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Andrew Sherriff Music and Sound Design|url=https://andrewsherriff.co.uk/about/ |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=STEPHEN PATMAN: Music Composition and Sound Design to Picture|url=https://www.stephenpatman.com/about/ |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref> Bates also continues being a long-standing member of Tunng.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ashley Bates Music|url=https://ashleybates.co.uk/biography/ |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref>


In October 2022, Rowe announced that he would be releasing a solo album, entitled ''Everybody's Thinking''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Simon Rowe on Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CjbEgSujANu/ |publisher=[[Instagram]]|access-date=13 January 2023|date=8 October 2022}}</ref> The album was recorded with the helps of all the Chapterhouse members bar Barrett, alongside Ian McCutcheon and [[Neil Halstead]] of Slowdive as well as Hamish Brown of [[Revolver (British band)|Revolver]]. The album was released on 2 March 2023 via Big Potato Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bigpotatorecords.bandcamp.com/album/everybodys-thinking|publisher=[[Bandcamp]]|title=Everybody's Thinking by Simon Rowe|date=8 October 2022|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>
In October 2022, Rowe announced that he would be releasing a solo album, entitled ''Everybody's Thinking''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Simon Rowe on Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CjbEgSujANu/ |publisher=[[Instagram]]|access-date=13 January 2023|date=8 October 2022}}</ref> The album was recorded with the help of all the Chapterhouse members, alongside Ian McCutcheon, [[Neil Halstead]] and [[Revolver (British band)|Hamish Brown]]. The album was released on 2 March 2023 via Big Potato Records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bigpotatorecords.bandcamp.com/album/everybodys-thinking|publisher=[[Bandcamp]]|title=Everybody's Thinking by Simon Rowe|date=8 October 2022|access-date=13 January 2023}}</ref>


== Members ==
== Members ==


=== Last Lineup ===
=== Last Lineup ===
* Andrew Sherriff - vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Andrew Sherriff vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Stephen Patman- vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Stephen Patman vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Simon Rowe - guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Simon Rowe guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Russell Barrett - bass (1990-1994)
* Ashley Bates drums (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
* Ashley Bates - drums (1987-1994, 2008-2010)


=== Touring ===
=== Touring ===
*Greg Moore - bass (2008-2010)
*Greg Moore bass (2008-2010)


=== Former ===
=== Former ===
* Jon Curtis - bass (1987-1990)
* Jon Curtis bass (1987-1990)
* Russell Barrett – bass (1990-1994)


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
*''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'' (1991) – [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No.&nbsp;23<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
*''[[Whirlpool (Chapterhouse album)|Whirlpool]]'' (1991) – [[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No. 23<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
*''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'' (1993)
*''[[Blood Music (Chapterhouse album)|Blood Music]]'' (1993) - [[CMJ|US CMJ]] No. 17<ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/CMJ/1994/CMJ-New-Music-Report-1994-02-07.pdf#search=%22chapterhouse%22</ref>


===Compilations===
===Compilations===
Line 73: Line 76:


===EPs===
===EPs===
*''[[Freefall EP|Freefall]]'' (1990)
*''[[Freefall EP|Freefall]]'' (1990) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] no. 130
*''[[Sunburst EP|Sunburst]]'' (1990)
*''[[Sunburst EP|Sunburst]]'' (1990) [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] no. 126
*''Pearl'' (1991)
*''Pearl'' (1991)


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[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:English rock music groups]]
[[Category:British shoegaze musical groups]]
[[Category:British shoegaze musical groups]]
[[Category:Dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:British dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1994]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1994]]

Revision as of 09:59, 27 May 2024

Chapterhouse
Chapterhouse c. 1991
Chapterhouse c. 1991
Background information
OriginReading, England
Genres
Years active1987–1994, 2008–2010
LabelsDedicated Records, Cherry Red
MitgliederAndrew Sherriff
Stephen Patman
Simon Rowe
Ashley Bates
Past membersJon Curtis
Russell Barrett
Steve Wren

Chapterhouse were a British shoegaze band from Reading, Berkshire, England.[3] Formed in 1987 by Andrew Sherriff, Stephen Patman and Simon Rowe, the band began performing alongside Spacemen 3.[3][4] They released two albums: Whirlpool (1991) and Blood Music (1993). The group temporarily reformed in 2008 after being asked to join Ulrich Schnauss onstage to perform his cover version of their song "Love Forever" at the Truck Festival in Oxfordshire.[5] The band finished the brief reunion with two gigs in London (2009–2010) and tours in North America and Japan in 2010.[6]

Career

The band comprised Andrew Sherriff (b.16 May 1969, Wokingham, England), Stephen Patman (b. 8 November 1968, Windsor, Berkshire, England), Simon Rowe (b. 23 June 1969, Reading, Berkshire), Jon Curtis and Ashley Bates (b. 2 November 1971, Reading).[3]

Rowe described that Chapterhouse was born from "friendship and common interests" among the founding members: Rowe, Sherriff and Patman. Rowe and Sherriff were next door neighbours who went to the same secondary school with Patman. As teenagers, they used to go to shows such as Cocteau Twins, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Fall and others. The common musical interests the three shared then led them to learn guitar at age 17/18 and to form the band at about age 19.[4]

In 1989, the band moved to London to take a more serious path.[4] They rehearsed and gigged for well over a year before recording a demo tape.[3] They were initially lumped in with the British acid rock genre, eventually becoming a part of the shoegazing scene along with acts such as Lush, Moose, Ride and Slowdive.[3]

Bassist Jon Curtis left the group to study, and was replaced by Russell Barrett (b. 7 November 1968, Vermont, United States) in 1990.[3]

Chapterhouse signed to the newly formed Dedicated label, releasing a series of singles, including "Pearl",[3] which featured guest vocals by Rachel Goswell of Slowdive and reached No. 67 in the UK Singles Chart.[7]

The band's first album, Whirlpool, released in 1991,[3] has been cited as one of the genre's high points, but failed to capture a wider market despite reaching No. 23 in the UK Albums Chart.[7] In the same year, Chapterhouse also appeared in their home town Reading Festival immediately following Nirvana's performance.

The band's second album Blood Music, which was stylistically different, was released in 1993.[3] According to Rowe, while the first album "originally had a very raw feel" and was made as an attempt by the band to sound like The Stooges live, Blood Music was "a different concept altogether". It had a lot more dance music influences that mainly came into play from Sherriff.[4] Singles from the album "She's a Vision" and "We Are the Beautiful" were relatively successful. Some copies of Blood Music included a bonus disc "retranslated" by Global Communication, called Pentamerous Metamorphosis that was withdrawn due to a sampling lawsuit, but later reissued in a slightly altered version.

The band then released no further new material other than a double album, Rownderbowt, in 1996, compiling their singles, various b-sides, rarities and unreleased demos which featured Slowdive drummer Simon Scott. Sherriff went on to form Bio.com and Rowe went on to play guitar for Mojave 3. Bates formed Cuba and now plays in the British folktronica band Tunng, and Chapterhouse ceased for almost fifteen years.

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 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.[8] The North American tour had to be postponed due to the Icelandic ash cloud cancelling flights, stranding Patman in Japan.[9] Chapterhouse rescheduled the North American tour for September and October 2010.[1] No plans were made for any other shows and the band ended the brief reunion in 2010.[6]

On 22 March 2023, the band announced a deluxe CD box set release entitled Chronology. It contains previously released albums, singles, b-sides, remixes, and demos, including twenty unreleased songs. It was released on 26 May 2023 through Cherry Red Records.[10][11]

Post-breakup

In 1997, Sherriff started working as a composer/sound designer for an Emmy Award-winning music production company Adelphoi Music. Patman and Bates joined him later in 2001.[12] After more than twenty years, they departed from the company, pursuing their career as freelance composers.[13][14] Bates also continues being a long-standing member of Tunng.[15]

In October 2022, Rowe announced that he would be releasing a solo album, entitled Everybody's Thinking.[16] The album was recorded with the help of all the Chapterhouse members, alongside Ian McCutcheon, Neil Halstead and Hamish Brown. The album was released on 2 March 2023 via Big Potato Records.[17]

Mitglieder

Last Lineup

  • Andrew Sherriff – vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
  • Stephen Patman – vocals, guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
  • Simon Rowe – guitar (1987-1994, 2008-2010)
  • Ashley Bates – drums (1987-1994, 2008-2010)

Touring

  • Greg Moore – bass (2008-2010)

Former

  • Jon Curtis – bass (1987-1990)
  • Russell Barrett – bass (1990-1994)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

EPs

Singles

Year Titel Peak Album
UK US Alt
1991 "Pearl" 67 7 Whirlpool
1992 "Mesmerise" 60 21 Non-album single
1994 "We Are the Beautiful" 29 Blood Music

References

  1. ^ a b Kott, Crispin (29 September 2010). "Shoegaze Legends Chapterhouse Tour and Talk to PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  2. ^ Reynolds, Simon (1 December 1991). "POP VIEW; 'Dream-Pop' Bands Define the Times in Britain". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Larkin, Colin, ed. (2000). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Nineties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 83/4. ISBN 0-7535-0427-8.
  4. ^ a b c d Breznikar, Klemen (11 May 2023). "Simon Rowe / Chapterhouse / Mojave 3 / Interview / New Solo Album, 'Everybody's Thinking'". Psychedelic Baby Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
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