catatonia

Condition characterized by a range of abnormal movements or postures associated with mental illness. The condition may be described as excited, with constant restlessness and repetition of purposeless actions, or inhibited, with stupor, fixed posture and catalepsy. It is sometimes a feature of schizophrenia but is also seen in other disorders.

Catatonia

Welsh rock band 1992-2001. It comprised Cerys Matthews (vocals, 1969- ), Mark Roberts (guitar, 1969- ), Owen Powell (guitar, 1967- ), Paul Jones (bass, 1960- ), and Aled Richards (drums, 1969- ). Their first album, Way Beyond Blue, was released in 1996. International Velvet followed in 1998, and the release of the commercially successful singles ‘Mulder and Scully’ and ‘Road Rage’ propelled it to number one in the UK album charts.

The group followed with the albums Equally Cursed and Blessed (1999) and Paper Scissors (2001). In 1999, they were nominated for Brit awards for Best British Group, Best British Single (for ‘Road Rage’), and Best British Album (for International Velvet).

Roberts met Matthews busking in Cardiff, and together they formed the nucleus of the band. Their first release was the EP ‘For Tinkerbell’ in 1993. This was followed by the singles ‘Hooked’ (1994), ‘Whale’ (1994), and ‘Bleed’ (1995), leading in 1996 to the album deal that gave rise to Way Beyond Blue.