Difference between revisions of "Chris Catalyst"

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[[File:Chris at RocknCoke 03.09.2006.jpg|thumb|right|365px|Chris Catalyst on stage with The Sisters of Mercy<br/>- [[Sun,_03-Sep-2006|Rock'n Coke Festival, Istanbul, 2006]] -]]
 
[[File:Chris at RocknCoke 03.09.2006.jpg|thumb|right|365px|Chris Catalyst on stage with The Sisters of Mercy<br/>- [[Sun,_03-Sep-2006|Rock'n Coke Festival, Istanbul, 2006]] -]]
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Chris May, commonly known as '''''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Catalyst Chris Catalyst]''''' aka '''''Robochrist''''' was recruited as [[Main Page|The Sisters]]' second guitarist for the [[Twothousandfive|2005 Tour]] and has since been a steady member of the band. Besides his activities within The Sisters of Mercy, he started a first solo project in 2016 (more information [[Chris Catalyst#Solo_Project|down below]]).<br/>  
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Chris May, commonly known as '''''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Catalyst Chris Catalyst]''''' aka '''''Robochrist''''' was recruited as [[Main Page|The Sisters]]' second guitarist for the [[Twothousandfive|2005 Tour]] and has since been a steady member of the band. Besides his activities within The Sisters of Mercy, he formed his own band [[Chris Catalyst#Eureka Machines|Eureka Machines]] in 2007 and started his [[Chris Catalyst#Solo_Project|Chris Catalyst solo project]] in 2016.
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[[File:Robochrist EP.jpg|thumb|left|230px|Robochrist EP - August 2021]]
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In August 2021, he released a fully remastered and tweaked-up/tweaked-out five-track EP of his former [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/robochrist Robochrist] output available in digital format only.<br/>  
  
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Before that, Chris Catalyst had been kicking about Leeds' music scene for several years. Given the incestuous nature of said scene, it can hardly be surprising that someone who had worked at [[Tue, 03-Jun-1997|Joseph's Well]], the notorious scene of  the 1997 [[Near Meth Experience]] gig, has joined [[The Sisters of Mercy]].<br/>
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Anyway, Chris Catalyst had been kicking about Leeds' music scene for several years. And given the incestuous nature of said scene, it can hardly be surprising that someone who had worked at [[Tue, 03-Jun-1997|Joseph's Well]], the notorious setting of  the 1997 [[Near Meth Experience]] gig, would years later join [[The Sisters of Mercy]] as a guitarist.<br/>
  
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Chris had also worked with then Sisters-guitarist [[Adam Pearson]] at Adam's studio in Headingley, Leeds, before. Together they played a one-off gig by [http://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8472 The Elvis Presleys From Hell] in 2005. A video of this is available [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fCDZvm2uaSw on YouTube]. A full list of Chris' musical activities can be found [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/links/ here].<br/>
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Chris also worked with then Sisters-guitarist [[Adam Pearson]] at Adam's studio in Headingley, Leeds, before. Together they played a one-off gig by [http://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=8472 The Elvis Presleys From Hell] in 2005. A video of this is available [http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fCDZvm2uaSw on YouTube]. A full list of Chris' musical activities can be found [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/links/ here].<br/>
  
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In 2016, Chris Catalyst initiated a Fundraiser Gig for former long-time nurse to The Sisters' Doktor Avalanche [[Simon Denbigh|Si Denbigh]] at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club on [[Sun, 27-Nov-2016|November 27th, 2016]]. He opened the show with an acoustic set. Further performers were [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Membranes The Membranes] as well as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Saints Utah Saints], who did the accompanying DJ set that evening. As special guests [[Near Meth Experience]] were seen on one of their rare and special days off. For more information see [https://www.facebook.com/events/160198311116152/ FB Events] and The Heartland Forums [https://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=25761 here] and [https://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=25775 here].<br/>
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Chris Catalyst also initiated a Fundraiser Gig for former long-time [[Doktor Avalanche]] nurse [[Simon Denbigh|Si Denbigh]] at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on [[Sun, 27-Nov-2016|November 27th, 2016]]. He himself opened the show with an acoustic set, followed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Membranes The Membranes] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_Saints Utah Saints], who did the DJ-set that evening. As special guests, [[Near Meth Experience]] were seen on one of their rare and special days off. For more information see [https://www.facebook.com/events/160198311116152/ FB Events] and The Heartland Forums [https://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=25761 here] and [https://www.myheartland.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=25775 here].<br/>
  
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In 2019, Chris Catalyst did not tour with [[The Sisters of Mercy]] as he was involved in other activites.<br/>
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In 2019, Chris Catalyst did not tour with [[The Sisters of Mercy]] as he was involved in other activites, but it is commonly understood this happened due to other obligations he had to fulfil. Since then, the Corona crisis has hit the music scene all over and he concentrated on online streams and on releasing new solo projects, see below. In September 2021, Chris Catalyst was touring with his band supporting [https://www.discogs.com/de/artist/4234259-Massive-Wagons Massive Wagons]. For current tour dates and tickets, please check [https://www.chriscatalyst.com/gigs/ his own website]. Anyway, we strongly recommend you regularly check Chris' [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/ Bandcamp] and other accounts as well as his [https://www.chriscatalyst.com/category/news/ website], since we are currently unfortunately not able to keep pace with developments. However, Chris has taken on Nurse duties with The Sisters Doktor in 2023 for the [[Gigography#Europe_2023|"Neon Faust" Tour of Europe]] again and should be doing so for the foreseeable future.<br/>
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<br/>
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[[File:Chris Catalyst - Live Is Often Brillant.jpg|left|thumb|230px|'''''Life Is Often Brillant''''' - Cover]]
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== Solo Projects ==
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[[File:Happy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|'''''Happy EP''''' - Cover]]
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In 2016 between [[Gigography#2016|touring with The Sisters of Mercy]] and [https://twitter.com/UglyKidJoeBand/status/781206331634098176 Ugly Kid Joe] and apart from his endeavours with the [[Chris Catalyst#Eureka Machines|Eureka Machines]], Chris Catalyst started working on a [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/2016/10/13/hello/ solo project]. A PledgeMusic campaign for an album was launched and a first song, '''''Sticks and Stones''''', including a video produced by [http://www.thunderandlightning.co.uk/ ''Thunder And Lightning''] was published in October 2016. A second song and video, '''''Same Old Sun''''', followed two months later. The resulting album was '''''Life Is Often Brilliant'''''.
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 +
In parallel to the release, Chris introduced his [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/ new website], featuring the [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/life-is-often-brilliant/lyrics/ album lyrics] and [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/category/blog/ a blog] with an extended review of The Sisters' 2016 November Tour. '''''Life Is Often Brilliant''''' was issued with on February 2nd, 2017 and since 31 March 2017, it is commercially available from common sources like [http://preview.tinyurl.com/modrbmo Amazon] or [http://preview.tinyurl.com/kzqrmm8 iTunes].<br/>
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In February 2020, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, Chris Catalyst released the two-track EP '''''Happy''''' and a video of the title track to celebrate the event and to thank all his friends and supporters. The EP is available for free download or a sum of your choice at Chris' [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/happy-ep Bandcamp page].<br/>
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<br/>
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{|
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| {{#ev:youtube|dUl-B9JWCi8|330x185|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Happy''|frame}}&emsp;
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| {{#ev:youtube|tN1amkXbNqo|330x185|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Sticks and Stones''|frame}}&emsp;
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| {{#ev:youtube|9Ht6pg2OLl8|330x185|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Same Old Sun''|frame}}&emsp;
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|-
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|}
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
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<span style="color:black"><font size="2">'''Corona times, online streams, "Quaran Tour" & other releases'''</font></span><br/>
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{{#ev:youtube|ZxUL3jhHvYo|330x195|left|Summer Special online gig of 28th June 2021|frame}}
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
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{{#ev:youtube|jPcqYjyFaX8|410x240|left|'''Live Stream of Sunday, 4 October 2020 [https://www.youtube.com/ChrisCatalystMusic @You Tube]'''|frame}}
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[[File:Life is sometimes acoustic.jpg|thumb|right|210px|'''Life Is Sometimes Acoustic''']]
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==&nbsp; Solo Projects ==
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&emsp; When the corona crisis hindered musicians worldwide from touring <br/>
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&nbsp; When the corona crisis hindered musicians worldwide from touring in spring 2020, Chris Catalyst<br/>
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&emsp; in spring 2020, Chris Catalyst looked for other ways to please his <br/>
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&nbsp; looked for other ways to please his audiences with his music. After a first free or pay-what-you-will<br/>
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&emsp; audiences. After a first free or pay-what-you-will stream on Facebook<br/>
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&nbsp; stream on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCatalystMusic @ChrisCatalystMusic] on the [https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCatalystMusic/videos/456075458418958/ 22nd March 2020] with all donations going<br/>
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&emsp; [https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCatalystMusic @ChrisCatalystMusic] on [https://www.facebook.com/ChrisCatalystMusic/videos/456075458418958/ March 22nd] with all donations going to <br/>
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&nbsp; to British food bank organisers [https://twitter.com/TrussellTrust #Trussell Trust], Chris has played further live gigs from his home<br/>
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&emsp; British food bank organisers TrussellTrust, Chris has been doing <br/>
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&nbsp; [https://www.youtube.com/ChrisCatalystMusic @You Tube] every second Sunday with 50% of the proceeds going to another charity each time. <br/>
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&emsp; a whole series of live gigs from his home [https://www.youtube.com/ChrisCatalystMusic @You Tube] on Sundays<br/>
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&nbsp; The last online gig (for a while) has taken place on Sunday, 18 October 2020 with [https://twitter.com/mndassoc/status/1316078766792347649/photo/1 MND]-ridden <br/>
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&emsp; with 50% of the proceeds going to another charity each time. Similar<br/>
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&nbsp; [https://twitter.com/ChrisCatalyst/status/1316532847474282497 @Rob7Burrow] and his family being the beneficiary of incoming funds this time. Please check <br/>
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&emsp; events are taking place on ''instagram'' during the week. Please check <br/>
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&nbsp; [https://ko-fi.com/chriscatalyst here...] for contributions to the current or former donations.<br/>
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&emsp; [https://ko-fi.com/chriscatalyst here] if you like to contribute to current or former donations.<br/>
  
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&nbsp; In September 2020, Chris compiled a digital mini-album of acoustic reworkings of formerly released<br/>
 
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&nbsp; stuff from his first solo LP. The album is titled [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/life-is-sometimes-acoustic '''''Life Is Sometimes Acoustic''''' &nbsp;] and is available<br/>
 
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&nbsp; for purchase and prior listening [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/ @bandcamp].<br/>
 
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
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In February 2020, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, Chris Catalyst released the two-track EP '''''Happy''''' and a video of the title track (see here on the left side) to celebrate<br/>the event and to thank all his friends and supporters. The EP is available for free download (or a sum of your choice) at Chris' [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/happy-ep Bandcamp page].<br/>
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In September 2020, Chris compiled a digital mini-album of acoustic reworkings of stuff released earlier for his' first solo CD. The<br/>album was titled [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/life-is-sometimes-acoustic '''''Life Is Sometimes Acoustic'''''] and was much appreciated by Chris' online-stream regulars. Around that time<br/>the regular online gigs were given the name '''"Quaran-Tour"''' and the release of a later CD featuring the best of the songs of all<br/>streams envisaged. The last online gig (for a while) was streamed [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AozsZkl-S-M in mid-October], though Chris Catalyst would not let Xmas<br/>pass without a two-and-a-half-hour [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHggM5NPvqQ Christmas-Special stream] and an according [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLoFjpvKzZ0 song] to bring pleasure and joy to his followers. <br/>
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<br/>
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{|
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|[[File:Acoustic Machines.jpg|thumb|left|195px|'''''Acoustic Machines''''']]
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|[[File:Chris Catalyst Can't Believe It's Still Acoustic.jpg|thumb|left|195px|'''''Can't Believe It's Still Acoustic''''']]
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|[[File:The-very-best-of-quaran-tour-chris-catalyst-double-cd.jpg|thumb|left|195px|'''''The Very Best of Quaran-Tour''''']]
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|[[File:Quaran-tour-chris-catalyst-Overview Inside.JPG|thumb|left|380px|'''''The Very Best of Quaran-Tour''''' - Inside view with discs]]
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|-
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|}
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However, before that, in November 2020 another six-track compilation of acoustic versions of Eureka Machines songs titled '''''Acoustic Machines''''' was issued; and a further digital acoustic mini-album followed at the beginning of December. The latter one was called '''''Can't Believe It's Still Acoustic''''' and shows Chris' lovely cat '''''Rose''''' on the cover. All these acoustic EPs are available for purchase and prior listening [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/ @bandcamp] including various special offers for all [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/ Chris Catalyst] and [https://eurekamachines.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-leeds-2014 Eureka Machines] releases on Bandcamp Fridays, when Bandcamp waives it’s fees to give musicians the full purchase amount for any release purchased those days. <br/>
  
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In 2016 between [[Gigography#2016|touring with The Sisters of Mercy]] and [https://twitter.com/UglyKidJoeBand/status/781206331634098176 Ugly Kid Joe], Christ started working on a [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/2016/10/13/hello/ solo project]. A PledgeMusic campaign for an album was launched and<br/>a first song, '''''Sticks and Stones''''', including a video produced by [http://www.thunderandlightning.co.uk/ ''Thunder And Lightning''] was published in October 2016. A second song and video, '''''Same Old Sun''''', followed<br/>two months later. The resulting album was '''''Life Is Often Brilliant'''''.<br/>  
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January 2021 saw the release of the promised "Quaran-Tour" compilation, which turned out to be a double-CD featuring  the best acoustic tracks played during all online-streams from March 2020 on. '''The Very Best of Quaran-Tour''' and some according facemask merch is exclusively available from the Chris Catalyst [https://www.musicglue.com/chriscatalyst online-shop]. Any profits from this endeavour will be split 50/50 to Cancer Research.<br/>
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<br/>
  
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In parallel to the release, Chris also introduced his [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/ new website], featuring all the [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/life-is-often-brilliant/lyrics/ album lyrics]and [http://www.chriscatalyst.com/category/blog/ a blog] with an extended review of The Sisters' 2016 November Tour.<br/>'''''Life Is Often Brilliant''''' was issued with PledgeMusic on February 2nd, 2017 and since 31 March 2017, it is commercially available from all the common sources like<br/>
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[[File:Chris Catalyst Kaleidoscopes Cover.jpg|300px|left|thumb|'''Kaleidoscopes''' - Cover art: Rich Jones]]
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[http://preview.tinyurl.com/modrbmo Amazon] or [http://preview.tinyurl.com/kzqrmm8 iTunes] .<br/>
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<br/>
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<span style="color:black"><font size="2">'''A new solo album - KALEIDOSCOPES'''</font></span><br/>
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On January 10th, 2021 the first online stream for this year followed (see above), while Chris was also working on a whole new solo-album titled '''Kaleidoscopes'''. As a first preview on this album the video '''Make Good Art''' was produced and released on January 22nd. It samples on the [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAb-NYkseI Commencement Speech @University of the Arts 2012] by English author [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman Neil Gaiman], [[File:Acousticoscopes Cover.jpg|215px|right|thumb|'''Acousticoscopes''' - Cover (front)]] who gave Chris his [https://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/1353275622584246272 approval] to use it for his video. But not only the content, the music, too, differs clearly from what was known from Chris Catalyst so far and the video was nominated among [https://www.loudersound.com/features/tracks-of-the-week-new-music-from-foo-fighters-royal-blood-and-more Classic Rock Tracks of the Week].<br/>
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The second '''Kaleidoscope''' pre-view video-single '''''The Ride''''' was introduced on 26 February 2021. Both the new tracks as well as all former official Chris Catalyst solo projects can be found [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0GWEIGJhDmVCfgqzjDcCuK?si=g_zsCySWR-C0VWg36-7BTA&nd=1 @spotify], too. '''Kaleidoscopes''' was released on 2nd April with pre-sales starting on March 12th, 2021 [https://www.musicglue.com/chriscatalyst @musicglue], which you might want to check for all necessary info on formats, bundles and stuff. The album itself is, however, also available [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/kaleidoscopes @Chris' bandcamp page], just like the according [https://chriscatalyst.bandcamp.com/album/acousticoscopes Acousticoscopes] compilation released on 5th July 2021. One day later the final 'single' video from the Kaleidoscopes album, '''King Of Everything''' was presented [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsk167WxG10 @YouTube]. <br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
{|
 
{|
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| {{#ev:youtube|dUl-B9JWCi8|335x240|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Happy''|frame}}&emsp;
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| {{#ev:youtube|nsk167WxG10|345x195|left|Chris Catalyst - '''King Of Everything'''|frame}} &emsp;  
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| {{#ev:youtube|tN1amkXbNqo|335x240|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Sticks and Stones''|frame}}&emsp;
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| {{#ev:youtube|P93wMOy0_wM|345x195|left|Chris Catalyst - '''The Ride'''|frame}} &emsp;  
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| {{#ev:youtube|9Ht6pg2OLl8|335x240|left|Chris Catalyst - ''Same Old Sun''|frame}}&emsp;
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| {{#ev:youtube|jWjVUQjqaB8|345x195|left|Chris Catalyst - '''Make Good Art''' feat. [https://twitter.com/neilhimself Neil Gaiman]|frame}} &emsp;  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
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<br/>
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[[File:Eureka Machines 2016.JPG|thumb|right|330px|''Eureka Machines''  in 2016]]
 
[[File:Eureka Machines 2016.JPG|thumb|right|330px|''Eureka Machines''  in 2016]]
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<span><font size="4">Eureka Machines</font></span>
 
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Apart from playing guitars with [[The Sisters of Mercy|The Sisters of Mercy]], Chris Catalyst is also a founding member of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Machines '''''Eureka Machines''''']. Various promo videos about the band do exist, for example this one titled [http://www.ashtv.co.uk/ashtv/index.php?id=33 Chris Catalyst Cribs]. More such videos from the band can be viewed [[Chris Catalyst#Eureka_Machines_Videos|at the bottom of this page]]<br/>
 
  
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The ''Eureka Machines'' are, however, by far not the end of Chris' musical activities, the entirety of which is perfectly listed [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Catalyst at Wikipedia...]. We recommend you also check his [https://www.discogs.com/de/artist/152220-Chris-Catalyst discography@discogs]. <br/>
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==Eureka Machines==
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Apart from playing guitars with [[The Sisters of Mercy|The Sisters of Mercy]], Chris Catalyst is also a founding member of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eureka_Machines '''''Eureka Machines''''']. Various promo videos about the band do exist, for example this one titled [http://www.ashtv.co.uk/ashtv/index.php?id=33 Chris Catalyst Cribs]. More videos from the band can be viewed [[Chris Catalyst#Eureka_Machines_Videos|further down this page]]<br/>
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As mentioned before, the ''Eureka Machines'' are by far not the end of Chris' musical activities, see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Catalyst @wikipedia.en &nbsp;] ab also check his [https://www.discogs.com/de/artist/152220-Chris-Catalyst discography@discogs]. <br/>
  
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In October 2012, the ''Eureka Machines'' launched their first [http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/eurekamachines Pledge Music campaign] featuring their third album ''Remain In Hope'', which reached the target amount within 2.5 hours. ''Remain In Hope'' was released on February 21st, 2013 and is available for a listen at [https://eurekamachines.bandcamp.com/ ''eurekamachines@bandcamp.com]<br/>
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After two earlier CD-album releases, [https://www.discogs.com/Eureka-Machines-Do-Or-Die/master/920276 Do Or Die] (2008) and [https://www.discogs.com/de/Eureka-Machines-Champion-The-Underdog/release/5962761 Champion The Underdog] (2011), the ''Eureka Machines'' launched their first [http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/eurekamachines Pledge Music campaign] featuring their third album ''Remain In Hope'' in October 2012. The campaign reached its target amount within 2.5 hours. ''Remain In Hope'' was released on February 21st, 2013 and is available for a listen at [https://eurekamachines.bandcamp.com/ ''eurekamachines@bandcamp.com]<br/>
  
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In 2014 the ''Eureka Machines'' started a further Pledge Music Campaign for their fourth album, [http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/em4 tentatively entitled ‘BRAIN WAVES’], that also included a double DVD featuring 6+ hours of live and promo footage from the former six years. All of the band's albums are available from their [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/shop-2/shop-cds/ online merchandise store], where you can find [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/shop-2/shop/ shirts and stuff] as well.<br/>
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In 2014 the ''Eureka Machines'' started a further Pledge Music Campaign for their fourth album, tentatively entitled [http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/em4 ‘BRAIN WAVES’], that also included a double DVD featuring 6+ hours of live and promo footage from the former six years. All of the band's albums are available from their [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/shop-2/shop-cds/ online merchandise store], where you can find [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/shop-2/shop/ shirts and stuff] as well.<br/>
  
 
'''BRAIN WAVES''' was released on March 26th, 2015 and, most remarkably, entered the [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rockalbums BBC UK Rock Album Charts at No.3]. Everything you need to know about the album, the recording process, the artwork, etc. PLUS various sample tracks can be found [http://www.eurekamachines.com/brainwaves/index.htm @EUREKA MACHINE'S BRAIN WAVES MINI SITE]. An offical [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAskohb8WSA ''Brain Waves'' Video] was also produced, see down below...<br/>
 
'''BRAIN WAVES''' was released on March 26th, 2015 and, most remarkably, entered the [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/rockalbums BBC UK Rock Album Charts at No.3]. Everything you need to know about the album, the recording process, the artwork, etc. PLUS various sample tracks can be found [http://www.eurekamachines.com/brainwaves/index.htm @EUREKA MACHINE'S BRAIN WAVES MINI SITE]. An offical [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAskohb8WSA ''Brain Waves'' Video] was also produced, see down below...<br/>
Line 58: Line 92:
 
To celebrate the end of the Pledge campaign of 2014, and to look into the future, the Eureka Machines did a "''frankly embarrassingly huge interview with the nice people at Team Rock'', in particular with Matt Stocks, see [http://www.teamrock.com/features/2015-07-14/do-or-diy-the-story-of-eureka-machines ''Do or DIY - The Story of Eureka Machines...] Due to the fact that the Pledge Campaign has long finished, the album is now available [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Waves-Eureka-Machines/dp/B00W7B6YEQ/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_mus?ie=UTF8&qid=1431277342&sr=8-1&keywords=eureka+machines here] or [https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/brain-waves/id986275895 here].<br/>
 
To celebrate the end of the Pledge campaign of 2014, and to look into the future, the Eureka Machines did a "''frankly embarrassingly huge interview with the nice people at Team Rock'', in particular with Matt Stocks, see [http://www.teamrock.com/features/2015-07-14/do-or-diy-the-story-of-eureka-machines ''Do or DIY - The Story of Eureka Machines...] Due to the fact that the Pledge Campaign has long finished, the album is now available [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brain-Waves-Eureka-Machines/dp/B00W7B6YEQ/ref=sr_1_1_twi_2_mus?ie=UTF8&qid=1431277342&sr=8-1&keywords=eureka+machines here] or [https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/brain-waves/id986275895 here].<br/>
  
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Another pledge campaign for their fifth studio album '''VICTORIES''' and the 2CD-album '''RARITIES''', a ''"double-disc compendium of rare stuff"'' was started in January 2018. The according [https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/eureka5?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pledgemusic Pledge Music campaign] reached its goal within hours after the start and both albums were released at the beginning of March 2018. Enjoy here on the right side their video for the track '''''Misery''''' from the album '''''Victories'''''. In addition, some tour dates followed in September 2018. <br/>
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Another pledge campaign for a fifth studio album '''VICTORIES''' and the 2CD-album '''RARITIES''', a ''"double-disc compendium of rare stuff"'' was started in January 2018. The according [https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/eureka5?utm_medium=email&utm_source=pledgemusic Pledge Music campaign] reached its goal within hours after the start and both albums were released at the beginning of March 2018. Enjoy here on the right side their video for the track '''''Misery''''' from the album '''''Victories'''''. Some tour dates followed in September 2018. <br/>
  
−
The ''Eureka Machines'' are currently touring Scotland and England again and have produced an according tour video of their song ''''''Revolution''''' (see here on the right side). For detailled and up-to-date information on dates and venues, please check out the [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/gigs/ Eureka Machines' Official Gigs Site] or their [https://www.facebook.com/eurekamachines page on facebook]. '''Chris Catalyst''' and the [https://twitter.com/EurekaMachines Eureka Machines] can also be found on [https://twitter.com/ChrisCatalyst Twitter @Chris Catalyst].<br/>
+
During the following years, the ''Eureka Machines'' went on tour in Scotland and England again and produced an according tour video of their song ''''''Revolution''''' (see here on the right side). For detailled and up-to-date information on possible live appearances after the corona-crisis, please keep an eye on [http://www.eurekamachines.com/new/gigs/ Eureka Machines' Official Gigs Site] or their [https://www.facebook.com/eurekamachines page on facebook]. '''Chris Catalyst''' and the [https://twitter.com/EurekaMachines Eureka Machines] can also be found on Instagram.<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
 
+
'''''Eureka Machines albums, EPs & CD-singles so far '''''
 +
----
 +
As with all pledge campaigns various additional compilations were given away for pledgers only, this selection is not complete. However, <br/>
 +
on the occasion of one of the corona-related [https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/bandcamp-fridays-2021 Bandcamp-Fridays] on 5th March 2021, the Eureka Machines released another live album <br/>featuring their legendary gig at their favourite venue, The Brudenell Social Club, [https://eurekamachines.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-leeds-2014 Leeds on 22 November 2014].<br/>
 +
{|
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Do Or Die Cover Front.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Do Or Die]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Everyone Loves You CD single.jpg|left|215px|thumb|Everyone Loves You (CD-single)]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Champion The Underdog Cover Front.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Champion The Underdog]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Remain In Hope album.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Remain In Hope]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Remain In 80ies EP.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Remain In 80ies (EP)]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{|
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Brain Waves album (front).jpg|left|215px|thumb|Brain Waves ]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines - Tied Up In Notts 2013.jpg|left|thumb|190px|Tied Up In Notts - Live 2013]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines Victories album (front).jpg|left|190px|thumb|Victories (album)]]
 +
|[[File:Rarities.jpg|left|190px|thumb|Rarities (compilation)]]
 +
|[[File:Eureka Machines - Live At Leeds 2014.jpg|thumb|left|190px|Live At Leeds - 2014]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
 
== ''Eureka Machines Videos'' ==
 
== ''Eureka Machines Videos'' ==
 
{|
 
{|
−
| {{#ev:youtube|IOjOwyT8XEI|320x240|left|Eureka Machines - ''Pop Star'' from the album ''Remain In Hope''|frame}}&emsp;
+
| {{#ev:youtube|IOjOwyT8XEI|320x180|left|Eureka Machines - ''Pop Star'' from '''''Remain In Hope'''''|frame}}&emsp;
−
| {{#ev:youtube|BAskohb8WSA|320x240|left|Eureka Machines - ''Brain Waves'' (Official Video)|frame}}&emsp;
+
| {{#ev:youtube|BAskohb8WSA|320x180|left|Eureka Machines - ''Brain Waves'' (Official Video)|frame}}&emsp;
−
| {{#ev:youtube|ZHE7piTDhaE|320x240|left|Eureka Machines - '''Misery''' from the album '''Victories'''|frame}}&emsp;
+
| {{#ev:youtube|ZHE7piTDhaE|320x180|left|Eureka Machines - '''''Misery''''' from the album '''''Victories'''''|frame}}&emsp;
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
<br/>
 +
{{#ev:youtube|V6c6t3r4PYY|300x150|right|'''''Welcome To My Shangri-La''''' - ('''''Brain Waves''''' (2015)|frame}}
 
'''''Further External Links '''''
 
'''''Further External Links '''''
 
----
 
----
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
{{#ev:youtube|V6c6t3r4PYY|350x250|right|''Welcome To My Shangri-La'' from the album ''Brain Waves''|frame}}
 
 
Some interviews with Chris Catalyst:<br/>
 
Some interviews with Chris Catalyst:<br/>
 +
 
* June 3rd, 2014 from ''Cack Blabbath'' about the Eureka Machines gig at Sonisphere and more [http://www.cackblabbath.com/2014/06/03/sonisphere-2014-preview-interview-with-eureka-machines/ here...]
 
* June 3rd, 2014 from ''Cack Blabbath'' about the Eureka Machines gig at Sonisphere and more [http://www.cackblabbath.com/2014/06/03/sonisphere-2014-preview-interview-with-eureka-machines/ here...]
 +
 
* March 7th, 2014 with  [http://www.themidlandsrocks.com/interview-with-chris-catalyst-of-eureka-machines/#.UyozB6Lait- The Midlands Rocks ...]
 
* March 7th, 2014 with  [http://www.themidlandsrocks.com/interview-with-chris-catalyst-of-eureka-machines/#.UyozB6Lait- The Midlands Rocks ...]
  
Line 83: Line 139:
  
 
* April 24th, 2020 - Podcast Interview [https://anchor.fm/TheMomentOfProust/episodes/Episode-Two---Chris-Catalyst-ed5ltv "The Moment of Proust" by Elliot Vaughan, Episode Two]
 
* April 24th, 2020 - Podcast Interview [https://anchor.fm/TheMomentOfProust/episodes/Episode-Two---Chris-Catalyst-ed5ltv "The Moment of Proust" by Elliot Vaughan, Episode Two]
 +
 +
* March 23rd, 2021 - [https://twitter.com/laney74 Rob Lane] doing a 58min interview with Chris for his  [https://straighttovideo.buzzsprout.com/1172573/8188434-episode-73-chris-catalyst Straight To Video series #73]
 +
{{#ev:youtube|nV6BVbbbDMM|300x150|right|Chris Catalyst: The John Robb Interview (2021)|frame}}
 +
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
Other informative links:<br/>
 
Other informative links:<br/>
−
* Chris Catalyst [https://twitter.com/ChrisCatalyst @Twitter]
 
  
 
* Chris Catalyst's [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTmNI3-o1aiaUDQQyTwvyQ YouTube Channel]
 
* Chris Catalyst's [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQTmNI3-o1aiaUDQQyTwvyQ YouTube Channel]
Line 94: Line 153:
  
 
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/papa_and_ghouls/comments/633k93/spoiler_the_new_ghouls_are/ ''Spoiler: The new ghouls are ...]
 
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/papa_and_ghouls/comments/633k93/spoiler_the_new_ghouls_are/ ''Spoiler: The new ghouls are ...]
 +
: though this has ended by now.
 +
<br/>
 
[[Category:Band Personnel]]
 
[[Category:Band Personnel]]
−
<br/>
 

Latest revision as of 05:03, 5 June 2024

Chris Catalyst on stage with The Sisters of Mercy
- Rock'n Coke Festival, Istanbul, 2006 -

Chris May, commonly known as Chris Catalyst aka Robochrist was recruited as The Sisters' second guitarist for the 2005 Tour and has since been a steady member of the band. Besides his activities within The Sisters of Mercy, he formed his own band Eureka Machines in 2007 and started his Chris Catalyst solo project in 2016.

Robochrist EP - August 2021

In August 2021, he released a fully remastered and tweaked-up/tweaked-out five-track EP of his former Robochrist output available in digital format only.

Anyway, Chris Catalyst had been kicking about Leeds' music scene for several years. And given the incestuous nature of said scene, it can hardly be surprising that someone who had worked at Joseph's Well, the notorious setting of the 1997 Near Meth Experience gig, would years later join The Sisters of Mercy as a guitarist.

Chris also worked with then Sisters-guitarist Adam Pearson at Adam's studio in Headingley, Leeds, before. Together they played a one-off gig by The Elvis Presleys From Hell in 2005. A video of this is available on YouTube. A full list of Chris' musical activities can be found here.

Chris Catalyst also initiated a Fundraiser Gig for former long-time Doktor Avalanche nurse Si Denbigh at Leeds Brudenell Social Club on November 27th, 2016. He himself opened the show with an acoustic set, followed by The Membranes and the Utah Saints, who did the DJ-set that evening. As special guests, Near Meth Experience were seen on one of their rare and special days off. For more information see FB Events and The Heartland Forums here and here.

In 2019, Chris Catalyst did not tour with The Sisters of Mercy as he was involved in other activites, but it is commonly understood this happened due to other obligations he had to fulfil. Since then, the Corona crisis has hit the music scene all over and he concentrated on online streams and on releasing new solo projects, see below. In September 2021, Chris Catalyst was touring with his band supporting Massive Wagons. For current tour dates and tickets, please check his own website. Anyway, we strongly recommend you regularly check Chris' Bandcamp and other accounts as well as his website, since we are currently unfortunately not able to keep pace with developments. However, Chris has taken on Nurse duties with The Sisters Doktor in 2023 for the "Neon Faust" Tour of Europe again and should be doing so for the foreseeable future.

Life Is Often Brillant - Cover

Solo Projects

Happy EP - Cover

In 2016 between touring with The Sisters of Mercy and Ugly Kid Joe and apart from his endeavours with the Eureka Machines, Chris Catalyst started working on a solo project. A PledgeMusic campaign for an album was launched and a first song, Sticks and Stones, including a video produced by Thunder And Lightning was published in October 2016. A second song and video, Same Old Sun, followed two months later. The resulting album was Life Is Often Brilliant.

In parallel to the release, Chris introduced his new website, featuring the album lyrics and a blog with an extended review of The Sisters' 2016 November Tour. Life Is Often Brilliant was issued with on February 2nd, 2017 and since 31 March 2017, it is commercially available from common sources like Amazon or iTunes.

In February 2020, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, Chris Catalyst released the two-track EP Happy and a video of the title track to celebrate the event and to thank all his friends and supporters. The EP is available for free download or a sum of your choice at Chris' Bandcamp page.

Chris Catalyst - Happy
 
Chris Catalyst - Sticks and Stones
 
Chris Catalyst - Same Old Sun
 


Corona times, online streams, "Quaran Tour" & other releases

Summer Special online gig of 28th June 2021


Life Is Sometimes Acoustic

  When the corona crisis hindered musicians worldwide from touring
  in spring 2020, Chris Catalyst looked for other ways to please his
  audiences. After a first free or pay-what-you-will stream on Facebook
  @ChrisCatalystMusic on March 22nd with all donations going to
  British food bank organisers TrussellTrust, Chris has been doing
  a whole series of live gigs from his home @You Tube on Sundays
  with 50% of the proceeds going to another charity each time. Similar
  events are taking place on instagram during the week. Please check
  here if you like to contribute to current or former donations.


In September 2020, Chris compiled a digital mini-album of acoustic reworkings of stuff released earlier for his' first solo CD. The
album was titled Life Is Sometimes Acoustic and was much appreciated by Chris' online-stream regulars. Around that time
the regular online gigs were given the name "Quaran-Tour" and the release of a later CD featuring the best of the songs of all
streams envisaged. The last online gig (for a while) was streamed in mid-October, though Chris Catalyst would not let Xmas
pass without a two-and-a-half-hour Christmas-Special stream and an according song to bring pleasure and joy to his followers.

Acoustic Machines
Can't Believe It's Still Acoustic
The Very Best of Quaran-Tour
The Very Best of Quaran-Tour - Inside view with discs

However, before that, in November 2020 another six-track compilation of acoustic versions of Eureka Machines songs titled Acoustic Machines was issued; and a further digital acoustic mini-album followed at the beginning of December. The latter one was called Can't Believe It's Still Acoustic and shows Chris' lovely cat Rose on the cover. All these acoustic EPs are available for purchase and prior listening @bandcamp including various special offers for all Chris Catalyst and Eureka Machines releases on Bandcamp Fridays, when Bandcamp waives it’s fees to give musicians the full purchase amount for any release purchased those days.

January 2021 saw the release of the promised "Quaran-Tour" compilation, which turned out to be a double-CD featuring the best acoustic tracks played during all online-streams from March 2020 on. The Very Best of Quaran-Tour and some according facemask merch is exclusively available from the Chris Catalyst online-shop. Any profits from this endeavour will be split 50/50 to Cancer Research.

Kaleidoscopes - Cover art: Rich Jones


A new solo album - KALEIDOSCOPES

On January 10th, 2021 the first online stream for this year followed (see above), while Chris was also working on a whole new solo-album titled Kaleidoscopes. As a first preview on this album the video Make Good Art was produced and released on January 22nd. It samples on the Commencement Speech @University of the Arts 2012 by English author Neil Gaiman,
Acousticoscopes - Cover (front)
who gave Chris his approval to use it for his video. But not only the content, the music, too, differs clearly from what was known from Chris Catalyst so far and the video was nominated among Classic Rock Tracks of the Week.

The second Kaleidoscope pre-view video-single The Ride was introduced on 26 February 2021. Both the new tracks as well as all former official Chris Catalyst solo projects can be found @spotify, too. Kaleidoscopes was released on 2nd April with pre-sales starting on March 12th, 2021 @musicglue, which you might want to check for all necessary info on formats, bundles and stuff. The album itself is, however, also available @Chris' bandcamp page, just like the according Acousticoscopes compilation released on 5th July 2021. One day later the final 'single' video from the Kaleidoscopes album, King Of Everything was presented @YouTube.

Chris Catalyst - King Of Everything
 
Chris Catalyst - The Ride
 
Chris Catalyst - Make Good Art feat. Neil Gaiman
 


Eureka Machines in 2016

Eureka Machines

Apart from playing guitars with The Sisters of Mercy, Chris Catalyst is also a founding member of the Eureka Machines. Various promo videos about the band do exist, for example this one titled Chris Catalyst Cribs. More videos from the band can be viewed further down this page

As mentioned before, the Eureka Machines are by far not the end of Chris' musical activities, see @wikipedia.en   ab also check his discography@discogs.

After two earlier CD-album releases, Do Or Die (2008) and Champion The Underdog (2011), the Eureka Machines launched their first Pledge Music campaign featuring their third album Remain In Hope in October 2012. The campaign reached its target amount within 2.5 hours. Remain In Hope was released on February 21st, 2013 and is available for a listen at eurekamachines@bandcamp.com

In 2014 the Eureka Machines started a further Pledge Music Campaign for their fourth album, tentatively entitled ‘BRAIN WAVES’, that also included a double DVD featuring 6+ hours of live and promo footage from the former six years. All of the band's albums are available from their online merchandise store, where you can find shirts and stuff as well.

BRAIN WAVES was released on March 26th, 2015 and, most remarkably, entered the BBC UK Rock Album Charts at No.3. Everything you need to know about the album, the recording process, the artwork, etc. PLUS various sample tracks can be found @EUREKA MACHINE'S BRAIN WAVES MINI SITE. An offical Brain Waves Video was also produced, see down below...

Eureka Machines - Revolution (2019)

To celebrate the end of the Pledge campaign of 2014, and to look into the future, the Eureka Machines did a "frankly embarrassingly huge interview with the nice people at Team Rock, in particular with Matt Stocks, see Do or DIY - The Story of Eureka Machines... Due to the fact that the Pledge Campaign has long finished, the album is now available here or here.

Another pledge campaign for a fifth studio album VICTORIES and the 2CD-album RARITIES, a "double-disc compendium of rare stuff" was started in January 2018. The according Pledge Music campaign reached its goal within hours after the start and both albums were released at the beginning of March 2018. Enjoy here on the right side their video for the track Misery from the album Victories. Some tour dates followed in September 2018.

During the following years, the Eureka Machines went on tour in Scotland and England again and produced an according tour video of their song 'Revolution (see here on the right side). For detailled and up-to-date information on possible live appearances after the corona-crisis, please keep an eye on Eureka Machines' Official Gigs Site or their page on facebook. Chris Catalyst and the Eureka Machines can also be found on Instagram.

Eureka Machines albums, EPs & CD-singles so far

As with all pledge campaigns various additional compilations were given away for pledgers only, this selection is not complete. However,
on the occasion of one of the corona-related Bandcamp-Fridays on 5th March 2021, the Eureka Machines released another live album
featuring their legendary gig at their favourite venue, The Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on 22 November 2014.

Do Or Die
Everyone Loves You (CD-single)
Champion The Underdog
Remain In Hope
Remain In 80ies (EP)
Brain Waves
Tied Up In Notts - Live 2013
Victories (album)
Rarities (compilation)
Live At Leeds - 2014

Eureka Machines Videos

Eureka Machines - Pop Star from Remain In Hope
 
Eureka Machines - Brain Waves (Official Video)
 
Eureka Machines - Misery from the album Victories
 


Welcome To My Shangri-La - (Brain Waves (2015)

Further External Links


Some interviews with Chris Catalyst:

  • June 3rd, 2014 from Cack Blabbath about the Eureka Machines gig at Sonisphere and more here...
Chris Catalyst: The John Robb Interview (2021)



Other informative links:

though this has ended by now.


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