Catatonia are musically sublime and promote an exhilerating combination of thoughtful and provocative lyrics and melodically and rhythmicallly powerful music. This Welsh band rose very quickly to fame, most prominently following the release of "Mulder and Scully" in January 1998 but they have been releasing records since 1993. Cerys Matthews, the instantly recognisable vocalist with the group, met Mark Roberts while she was busking outside of Debenhams in Cardiff and Catatonia was born.Their first record was the 'For Tinkerbell EP' but the lineup of members back then was somewhat different. The original members were Cerys Matthews (with the pseudonym C. Anazapela), Mark Roberts (in the inlay as M. E. Zaun), Paul Jones, Dafydd Ieuan and Clancy Pegg. Ieuan was the drummer before Aled Richards joined the band and Clancy used to play keyboards. The band lineup stayed the same for their next record 'Hooked'. Owen Powell joined the band around the time of the release of 'Sweet Catatonia'.

The release of 'You've Got A Lot To Answer For' allowed the band to receive significant public exposure and the record received extensive radio play and a tour began. As a consequence the record entered the charts at number 35. 'Way Beyond Blue' - their first album released in September 1996, although widely acclaimed by music critics, entered the charts at 40. Towards the end of the year Catatonia released 'Bleed'which had previously been a single in 1995. Sadly, the record didn't make it into the charts. There was a long gap before the next single was released, but Autumn 1997 saw the release of the anthemic 'I Am The Mob'- the first single from forthcoming album 'International Velvet'. Again success was minimal - perhaps due to a lack of publicity - and it charted at number 40.

January 1998 saw the release of 'Mulder and Scully'and the response was tremendous. Suddenly Catatonia had made it into the limelight and numerous interviews and television appearances ensured that this would be their most successful record. On the 25th January 1998, 'Mulder and Scully' entered the charts at a fantastic number 3. A week later the album 'International Velvet' was released and entered the charts at number 11. The release of 'Road Rage' shortly afterwards was promoted equally as well and it entered at number 5 and boosted sales of 'International Velevt' until it reached a deserved number 1 position. Following on from 'Road Rage' was 'Strange Glue', charting at number 11.

The fifth single from 'International Velvet' was 'Game On' - which unfortunately charted at Number 27 and perhaps suggested that releasing so many singles from one album was overkill. New material was essential to keep people's interest.

In December 1998, Catatonia toured with the Manic Street Preachers. They used this tour to introduce new songs into their live set. To promote the new material further they toured Australia and New Zealand in February 1999. 'Dead From the Waist Down'was then released - the first single from 'Equally Cursed And Blessed', which was the most successful radio-play record the band have ever had. But due to the release of various other 'novelty' singles it only charted at number 7. Following the release of 'Equally Cursed and Blessed', Catatonia's popularity just soared. So, as the dust settled, Catatonia did have 3 albums in the Top 40 at one point. 'Equally Cursed and Blessed' reached the dizzy heights of Number 1, 'Way Beyond Blue' was at Number 32, and 'International Velvet' was at Number 36. Dead from the Waist Down was still hanging in there at 15. The next release, after much deliberation, was 'Londinium' released on July 12th 1999. This charted at number 20. The final song to be released from this album was 'Karaoke Queen' in November 1999, with the video seeing Cerys sporting an amazing white cowgirl outfit, complete with stetson. Sadly this only charted at 36, much to everyone's disappointment.
It was to be almost another two years before Catatonia were to make a comeback with a new album. Their latest album "Paper Scissors Stone" was released in August 2001 and has been widely regarded as their best album yet. I asked Cerys what she would say the defining elements of the new album are, to differentiate it from previous albums and if Catatonia's musical direction had changed at all. She replied "Defining elements would be honesty, poignancy, less gimmicky than the last album.No major musical change. The album sounds richer and strong :-)The lyrics are beautiful." And so "Stone By Stone" has been the first single from the new album and is truly astounding. The two year break has been productive, although we were all saddened to hear that all tours have been cancelled just to Cerys' health. The statement from Warner Music reads: "Catatonia regret to announce that their forthcoming UK tour has been cancelled. This is due to Cerys Matthews' on going treatment for anxiety and exhaustion. Cerys had hoped that she would have recovered sufficiently to honour the dates but unfortunately it has proved otherwise: the main priority at the monent is Cerys' well being. The band would like to apologise to their fans for any inconveinence and the obvious disappointment caused." We all wish Cerys a speedy recovery, and send our congratulations to the whole band on producing a truly wonderful album.

Here's to the future success of Catatonia!!