| Big Electric Cat | |
| Origin: | Sydney, Australia |
| Years Active: | 1993–present |
| Current Members: |
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| Past Members: | Pre 1993: Ian Williams, Michael Jordan, Bernie Decasanova, Darren Evans Post 1993: William Jackson, Damien Gillette |
Big Electric Cat is a gothic rock group from Sydney, Australia, formed by musicians Paul Sadler and Deborah Denton, who had moved from London to Sydney in 1989. In 1991, inspired by Philip K. Dick's sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and the future noir movie Blade Runner, and inspired by the film's dark, futuristic, and other themes, they formed Big Electric Cat.[1]
In 1993 they were joined by drummer Scott Charaneka and local bassist David Block. After Scott's departure, live drumming was dropped in favour of a drum machine named "Dr. Ruth" after the famous sex therapist Dr. Ruth; thus the band's sound was born.[2]
After sell-out gigs across Australia and the resurgence of the gothic scene, the band recorded their 4-track demo "Suspira." After several attempts to get signed to an Australian record label, they sent a demo to the newly formed Goth label Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles, and were immediately offered a three-album deal. The band's first full album was titled "Dreams of a Mad King" and was released in 1994.[3] Recorded at Damien Gerrard Studios in Sydney and engineered by Russ Pilling it featured the hits "Christabel", "Orchid Dreaming", "Paris Skies", and "Red Roses" which defined their sound. At the suggestion of Cleopatra Records label boss Brian Perera, their second release, in October 1995, was the seven-track remix EP Burning Embers, overseen by Q/Überzone/Death Method.
In 1997 the band embarked on the 40-city "Congregation Tour" of the US with labelmates Christian Death and Switchblade Symphony. On their return to Australia, Denton left the band while Sadler and Block continued to write and record the second full-length album, Eyelash. Recorded at Powerhouse Studios, Sydney, and released in August 1997, the songs took a darker, electronic journey; the title track "Eyelash" was dedicated to Sadler's father, who had recently died.
With more live commitments and increasing popularity William Jackson was recruited for live keyboard duties, and when David Block quit unexpectedly later that year, he was replaced by Damien Gillette on bass.