Signed to the influential independent Kitchenware Records, early single 'Only Losers Take the Bus' was a good example of their musical diversity and sarcastic, almost non-sensical lyrical approach, featuring a simple drum-machine rhythm and inoffensive techno melody over which Coughlan intoned lyrics explaining that 'Churchill was a shopping bag', and many other gems.
Their debut LP, 'Against Nature', gained much critical acclaim with the NME describing the album; 'staggering in it's weight of ideas . . . never loses it's capacity to stun you'. The lyrical abrasiveness was partially expected due to Coughlan's earlier musical outings, but the ability to jump from simple pop electronica to industrial rock and metal made things all the more interesting.
Another single, 'Blues for Ceaucescu', garnered further acclaim with a hellfire-preacher styled vocal delivering a politically aware lyric, detailing pending doom and tragedy in Eastern Europe. The musical backing to this forgotten classic was a harsh, metallic version of a traditional R & B chord sequence, laced with squalls of feeback.
The follow-up album went under the working title of 'Bugs Fucking Bunny', but was unfortunately changed to the less directly aggressive 'Viva Dead Ponies' prior to release, for reasons unknown. The content mainly consisted of Coughlan's caustic wit and vitriolic rants at the apathy and stupidity of UK residents. The title track itself is a good example, pondering what the fate of a reincarnated Jesus would be in modern Britain if he were to return as a Jewish shopkeeper, which placed religion and racism at the forefront of the lyrical discussion.
Further critical praise followed from John Peel, who said he would gladly 'listen to Cathal Coughlan sing the phone book', whilst The Guardian newspaper described him as 'the most under-rated lyricist in pop today'.
A mini-album in 1991 titled 'Berties Brochures' featured an almost psychotic reading of R.E.M.'s sugary hit 'Shiny Happy People', whilst the album title referred to an Irish artist who had been wrongly imprisoned for terrorist activities. A year later, Coughlan could be found alienating a potential Italian audience (whilst supporting U2) by inserting a Virgin Mary shampoo holder into his anus and singing 'Fuck the Pope, I want to fuck your traitor Pope'.
An unexpected chart success came in the form of a joint single with the Manic Street Preachers, whose version of M*A*S*H theme tune 'Suicide Is Painless' was double A-sided with the Fatima's version of Bryan Adams million selling 'Everything I Do, I Do It For You'. Their rendition, described as a 'porno-trip-hop' version, typically removed all romantic aspirations and replaced them with menace and sarcasm. Proceeds from the single and accompanying NME compilation album went to charity, and the single made the UK top 10.
After a brief period of inactivity, Fatima Mansions returned in 1994 with 'Lost In the Former West', returning to the kind of left-field pop eclecticism that was by now Coughlan's trademark. Unfortunately, this fell short of record company expectations, and resulted ultimately in further studio time remaining unfinanced until he wrote what his label considered might be a hit. This, not surprisingly, finished the band off, although they remained friends.
During this later period, Coughlan was also involved in a separate project under the name of Bubonique, which seemed to relish in being even more confrontational than anything that Fatima Mansions were allowed to release (which may or may not be a coincidence considering the differences that had surfaced).
Due to contractual obligations, Coughlan was barred from releasing further product, although he evaded this in 1996 with a solo album 'Grand Necropolitan' by waiving his right to receive any profits.
In 1999, free at last from his contract, he began new recordings which surfaced in 2000 as a solo album, 'Black River Falls'. Further updates can be obtained from his official website at: www.cathalcoughlan.com
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE FATIMA MANSIONS: Microdisney, U2, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave.