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This is a collective Catherine,
a talented four piece from Chicago. Their album 'Hot Saki and Bedtime Stories'
has had good reviews from their local paper 'the Illinois Entertainer'
and the 'Chicago Sun Times'. amongst other US press and although catherine
are only beginning to become visible over this side of the Atlantic they
are welcoming the chance to become a British phenomenon.
Catherine are 'counting on' breaking Europe after their recent tour in the USA. It has to be said that D'Arcy from The Smashing Pumpkins' links with the band, (singing on the album and married to the drummer), have inevitably part-elevated them in the yes of the press, but what does mark think of being under the shadow of the massive band- as Catherine have also been accused of adopting the Pumpkin sound.
MARK: "At first when it started happening several years ago, i was sort of angry about it. I got a bit upset with it but now I just expect it. I don't think we sound like the Smashing Pumpkins so much, maybe some of the tones we do but not in the songwriting. Our drummer is married to D'Arcy and we have been friends with the band for so long and we come from the same city you know, I expect the question, sure, it's almost obvious it is going to be touched upon."
The popularity of the pumpkins is so overwhelming that it begs the question, has the comparison actually done Catherine some good? Mark tactfully replies "I don't think it has hurt us".
'Hot Saki and Bedtime Stories' their latest album is a bright meandering guitar-strong catalyst. The image of the band is forged by the action man/barbie doll gaudy 60's technicolour imagery in the CD pamphlet. Despite retro fashion icons such as the latter becoming an indie trademark, it is perhaps no coincidence that Mark Rew in Particular has strong emotions linked to his own childhood and growing/learning experiences, as well as watching his own son grow.
MARK: "I'd say that the songs that mean the most to me lyrically are 'Sign of the Cross' and 'Pink Floyd Poster'. Sign of the Cross is a special song to me because i wrote it while I was singing to my son one morning, he was about two years old. I was just making it up as i was going and the song was just written literally in two minutes. Pink Floyd Poster is based upon a lot of memories I had as a teenager, feelings. Mainly when you experience love for the first time and you break up. i don't know about you or other people but to me it was very devastating. That happened once. After that first time nothing really affected me after that. I wouldn't say I am cold or numb, I don't know what it is but you know you can not go throught that every time. I think you realise that it is not the end of the world. The first time it happens is really difficult, it really tears you up, at least it did to me. That was a long time ago."
The pain of being 'burned' or 'dumped' in a relationship has always been a common source of inspiration for song writers, as our ever so slightly bitter Morrisette will no doubt inform you, but Mark feels the feelings he first felt lingered and molded his adult life. Then every good psychiatrist knows that already.
MARK: "I would say emotionally I haven't developed any further in time.
Angst?
MARK: " I wouldn't say anger or angst or anything like that. A lot of feelings that you feel for the first time are very strong and I just end up feeling the same way".
Catherine have a definite gritty sound and persona not a thousand miles away from being stylishly sleazy but does the sleazy side of life appeal to Mark?
MARK: "It does. It is a little bit dangerous and scary and spontaneous, all those things that are appealing"
Is that how you live your life?
MARK: "I can't really say. I don't want to tell you or elaborate on that"
So obviously that is a yes then. Choosing another path around the question. What would shock you?
MARK: " I'm just like anyone, you know. I get shocked by things"
Right...but then Mark pauses as if gathering his feelings together to express carefully. A painful memory in particular becomes worthy of note.
MARK: " Any intended violence bothers me. I wish it didn't happen. I'm pretty much a peacful kind of person. I like tension and craziness but I hate violence. There were weird little incidents growing up. I was attacked in a park once by a gang. I ran as fast as I could"
Just as well, since that gang attack in a Chicago park may have ended Catherine before it started. Mark has a healthy respect for the European press.
MARK: " In Europe it is much more interesting for me anyway. From the people that i have spoken with, they seem to really enjoy their work and the journalists seem to like what they do more than in the states. They seem to be more knowledgeable about the people they are interviewing. The questions cover a wider range. It is more enjoyable to be questioned"
If he could write his own review he jokes he would word it.
MARK "Fantastic music and a handsome young man"
However his escalating appeal and busy schedule is wearing away his energy. The price of fame? Perhaps, but Mark believes at the end of the day it is a small price to pay.
MARK: "We were here (Kerry and I) a few weeks ago and we did a week every day for ten hours a day and it was exhausting. We did more interviews over here than I have ever done in the last two or three years combined in the States. After about a week of interviews it started to get to me. The same questions and the same answers. Some varied but when it was done day after day it was tiring. Saying that, I still like it because I love what I am doing, it was what i chose to do and I think I'm good at it and it is a part of the job. I'd freak out if I wasn't doing this, I think I'd need psychiatric care. From six years old this is all I've thought about".
Marks childhood fantasy has finally
been realised. The next Smashing Pumpkins, maybe...or perhaps something
entirely different?