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.
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.
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.