Chimera was formed in 1990 and included members Eileen Henry (vocals), Steven T. Emerson (bass), Ted Laverty (guitars), and William Vincent (drums). In 1993, Chimera released their first
U.K. album,
Lughnasa, but later had to buy back all of the copies due to contractual problems. That album contained two singles, "Ellis Bleeds" and "Cyan Daze". They were highly praised in their early years by the UK press, earning UK's
NME "Single of the Week" award. Because of that award,
record producer Chris Nagle began working with the band. Nagle had previously worked with bands such as
Echo & the Bunnymen,
Joy Division,
New Order, and
the Smiths. Chimera's U.S. debut was 1995's
Day Star EP, released on
Grass Records (now
Wind-up). The release contained four songs, and some would later be rerecorded for 1996's
Earth Loop, their only full-length album released in the United States. Following the release of
Earth Loop, Chimera spent most of 1996 in the U.S. touring. They performed with many popular alternative bands, including the
Sneaker Pimps,
Blur, the
Pixies, and
Throwing Muses. That year the single, "Catch Me," garnered modest airplay on some U.S. alternative radio stations. ==Members==