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Jesus Jones
Jesus Jones performing in 2011
Background information
Origin	Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England
Genres	Alternative rock grebo dance-rock indie dance
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Food SBK Records EMI Liberty Nebula Mi5 Recordings/Koch RT Industries
Members	Mike Edwards Jerry De Borg Al Doughty Iain Baker Gen (Simon Matthews)
Past members	Tony Arthy
Website	www.jesusjones.com

Jesus Jones are a British alternative rock band from Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire, formed in late 1988, who continue to record and perform, as of 2024. Their track "Right Here, Right Now" was an international hit, and was subsequently globally licensed for promotional and advertising campaigns. The single was also nominated for a Grammy award at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards in 1991, as was its album, Doubt. They also achieved chart success with the songs "Real Real Real", "International Bright Young Thing" and "Info Freako".

Career

Formation and Liquidizer (1986–1989)

Incorporating elements of electronic music styles such as house and techno to an indie rock format, along with fellow British groups such as The Shamen, Pop Will Eat Itself and EMF, Jesus Jones were one of the leading purveyors of the early 1990s alternative dance scene. In late 1988, while on holiday in Spain, Mike Edwards, Gen, and Al Doughty decided to leave the band they were in at the time, and form their own band. The name of the band came about when they realised that they were three "Joneses" sitting on a beach in Spain surrounded by people called Jesus. Back in London they advertised in the music press for a guitarist, and Jerry De Borg joined the band. Edwards had recently met Iain Baker in a pub in North London, they had got talking as they recognised each other as skateboarders, due to their footwear. Edwards asked Baker to join as the keyboardist and the line-up was complete.

They achieved initial critical acclaim with their 1989 album Liquidizer, and in particular, the single "Info Freako", which featured buzzing rock guitars with samples and a hip-hop sensibility, relatively new at the time. The track was particularly championed by Bruno Brookes on his BBC Radio 1 programme.

Doubt and Perverse (1990–1995)

In the spring of 1990, Jesus Jones recorded their second album, Doubt, but their record label was forced to delay its release until the beginning of 1991. The album sold well, due to the success of "Right Here, Right Now". The song is about the swift end of the Cold War, and reached No. 2 in the US and No. 31 in the UK. In June 1990, Jesus Jones appeared at the Glastonbury Festival.

Other singles from Doubt included "Real, Real, Real" and "International Bright Young Thing", which became two of their biggest hit singles in the UK, reaching No. 19 and No. 7 respectively in the UK Singles Chart. In 1991, Jesus Jones were the only UK winners when they won the Best New Artist award at the MTV Awards. In April 1991, the British music magazine NME reported that their US tour had sold out before Jesus Jones arrived in the country.

The follow-up to Doubt was Perverse (1993), a darker and more industrial based album, which, though a big seller, did not reach the worldwide hit status of Doubt. Perverse was one of the first rock albums recorded entirely digitally.

Already and London (1996–2003)

After the release of the Perverse album, Jesus Jones took an extended hiatus and did not return to the recording studio until December 1996. After the recording of their fourth album, drummer Gen left the band before the album was released. They released their fourth album, titled Already, in 1997 after which Jesus Jones and their record label EMI parted company. The final months of the band are chronicled in the PDF book written by Mike Edwards "Death Threats From An 8 Year Old In The Seychelles", which was available for a time from the band's website. The band remained in contact and came back with a new drummer Tony Arthy with the low-selling London in 2001 on the indie record label Mi5 Recordings. EMI issued Never Enough: the Best of Jesus Jones, a greatest hits compilation album whilst the band moved from the North American-only Mi5 to the newly established Mi5 Recordings UK.

Later activities (2004–present)

With the exception of the release of the Culture Vulture EP in 2004, no new material from the band had been released between 2001 and 2018. However, in 2010, a series of download albums were released to Amazon.co.uk. The release consisted of six different albums containing "in concert" performances at the BBC. Most were EPs but a few were live albums.

The single "Right Here, Right Now" was resurrected in 2006 as an advertising jingle for the American retailer Kmart, in an image campaign for CBS News, and in promotional advertisements for the now-defunct television channel TechTV. Ford Motor Company used "Right Here, Right Now" in their 2010 televisual advertising campaign. A cover of the song was also recorded by New Zealand band The Feelers to use in advertising for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In 2011 the band released The Collection & Other Rarities, which included many of their B-side tracks as well as demos and rarities.

In November 2014, EMI reissued all four of the band's albums in a special CD+DVD bundle. In addition to the original album's tracks the reissues feature radio sessions, long-deleted b-sides, rare remixes and alternate versions. The DVDs include rare live concert footage and other extras.

In a 2015 interview for the online periodical Soot Magazine band leader Mike Edwards acknowledged that, besides re-recording some older tracks with new arrangements, he was in the process of writing material for a new album: "I am writing new stuff – I was actually writing some new material yesterday and I have loads of little bits and pieces ticking over."

Since the mid-2000s, Jesus Jones have continued performing live. In August 2011, the band went on a short tour (dubbed on one poster "The World's Smallest World Tour"), playing three shows in Australia before closing with a show in Japan. In November 2011, the band were due to perform in the UK in Birmingham and London, but the dates were postponed due to bass player Al Doughty being ill. They took place in January 2012. The band also toured the UK in December 2013 as part of The Wonder Stuff's Sleigh The UK tour. In March 2015, the band again returned to Australia and New Zealand for a five city tour.

On 24 December 2013, the band announced the resignation of drummer Tony Arthy. Having been with the band for 13 years, Arthy had replaced original drummer Simon "Gen" Matthews who had left after the rocky completion of Already. On 1 January 2014, the band announced that Matthews would be rejoining the band.

The band announced that a new album called Passages would be released in 2017. On 9 November 2017, Iain Baker posted an update via PledgeMusic.com that the album release was being postponed until 20 April 2018 due mainly to the logistics of the release. The album was finally released 20 April 2018 via PledgeMusic.

Band members

• Mike Edwards (born Michael James Edwards, 22 June 1964, Educated at St Laurence Secondary School in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England) (London) – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1988–present)
• Jerry De Borg (born Jerry de Abela Borg, 30 October 1960, Kentish Town, London) – guitars (1988–present)
• Al Doughty (born Alan Jaworski, 31 January 1966, Plymouth) – bass (1988–present)
• Iain Baker (born Iain Richard Foxwell Baker, 29 September 1965, Carshalton, Surrey) – keyboards, programming (1988–present)
• Gen (born Simon Edward Robert Matthews, 23 April 1964, Devizes, Wiltshire) – drums, additional percussion (1988–1997 then 2014–present)

Former members

• Tony Arthy – drums (1999–2013)

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

• 1993 Scratched: Unreleased Rare Tracks & Remixes (Japan only)
• 1999 Greatest Hits
• 2002 Never Enough: The Best of Jesus Jones
• 2011 The Collection: A Selection of Band Favourites and Rarities
• 2018 Voyages
• 2018 Zeroes and Ones: The Best of Jesus Jones (2-CD compilation)
• 2022 Some of the Answers (15-CD boxed set)

EPs

Singles

Video albums

• 1991 Big in Alaska

Other

• 1990 Live (a.k.a. Move Mountains & 4 More) (US-only live EP)
• 1991 Live in Alaska (German-only live VHS)
• 1993 A Perverse Conversation with Jesus Jones (US-only interview promo)
• 1993 Zeroes & Heroes (Double EP)
• 1997 4 Track Sampler for Promo Only (Promo EP)
• 1998 Back 2 Back Hits (US-only 'Best of' with EMF)
• 2002 Never Enough The Best of Jesus Jones (Videos DVD)
• 2003 Live at the Marquee (Live DVD)
• 2005 Live at the Marquee (Live download album)
• 2008 The Remixes (Remix download album)
• 2010 BBC in Concert 26th February 1991 (Live download album)

References

1. Raggett, Ned (3 October 2011). "Right There, Right Then: Jesus Jones' Alternative History of 1991". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
2. Greene, Jo-Ann. "Jesus Jones - Live at the Marquee". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
3. "The Year In Music". Spin. 9 (9). December 1991.
4. Thornton, Tim (2009). The Alternative Hero. Knopf Doubleday. p. 181. ISBN 978-0307272362.
5. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 504. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
6. "Jesus Jones: Tour Dates". Jesus Jones. 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
7. "Jesus Jones". GRAMMY.com. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
8. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 486. CN 5585.
9. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 282. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
10. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 471. CN 5585.
11. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 488. CN 5585.
12. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 483. CN 5585.
13. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Perverse – Jesus Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
14. "Jesus Jones tune massacre". nzherald.com. 4 April 2010.
15. "The Collection – Jesus Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
16. "Album Reissues with Extras CD+DVD packs". Jesus Jones. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
17. "Quick & Dirty: Jesus Jones – Soot MagazineSoot Magazine". Sootmagazine.com. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
18. "touring Australia and New Zealand in March 2015". Jesus Jones. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
19. "Jesus Jones". Facebook. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
20. "Jesus Jones: Discography". Jesus Jones. 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
21. ^ UK chart peaks:
    • "UK chart peaks". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
    • Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 9781904994107.
    • "Chart Log UK 1994–2010". zobbel - Dipl.-Bibl.(FH) Tobias Zywietz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
22. ^ Australian chart peaks:
    • Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
    • "Australian chart peaks". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
23. ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 7 October 1991". Retrieved 8 October 2022.
24. Canadian albums chart peaks:
    • "Doubt". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
    • "Perverse". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
25. European albums chart peaks:
    • "Doubt" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
    • "Perverse" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
26. ^ "Finnish chart peaks". suomenlistalevyt. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
27. German albums chart peaks:
    • "Perverse". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
28. ^ "Dutch chart peaks". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
29. ^ "New Zealand chart peaks". charts.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
30. "Swedish chart peaks". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
31. ^ "US chart peaks". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
32. ^ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 15 October 2020. Note: User needs to enter "Jesus Jones" in the "Search BPI Awards" field and press Enter
33. "Music Canada > Gold & Platinum > Jesus Jones". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
34. "New Zealand Certification - Jesus Jones (Doubt)". RMNZ. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
35. "RIIA: Searchable database (Jesus Jones)". RIAA. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
36. "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 30 March 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
37. Canadian singles chart peaks:
    • "Real Real Real". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "Right Here, Right Now". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "International Bright Young Thing". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "The Devil You Know". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "The Right Decision". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
38. European singles chart peaks:
    • "Real Real Real" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "Right Here, Right Now" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "International Bright Young Thing" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "Who? Where? Why?" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "Right Here, Right Now (re-issue)" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "The Devil You Know" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
    • "Zeroes and Ones" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
39. German singles chart peaks:
    • "Right Here, Right Now". offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 October 2020.

Further reading

• "Jesus Jones". Music Technology. Vol. 4, no. 2. January 1990. p. 50. ISSN 0957-6606. OCLC 24835173.

External links

• Official website
• Archive of gigs, discography, history & photos
• Allmusic entry for Jesus Jones

• English alternative rock groups
• English electronic music groups
• Musical groups established in 1986
• Musical groups from Wiltshire
• Alternative dance musical groups
• 1986 establishments in the United Kingdom