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Jesus Jones
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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 2025.[5][6] 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.[7] They also achieved chart success with the songs "Real Real Real", "International Bright Young Thing" and "Info Freako".
Key Information
Career
[edit]Liquidizer, Doubt and Perverse (1989–1995)
[edit]In 1989 Jesus Jones released their debut album Liquidizer, featuring the singles "Info Freako", "Never Enough" and "Bring it on Down",[8] all of which narrowly missed the top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.
In early 1990, Jesus Jones recorded their second album, Doubt, but their record label was forced to delay its release until the beginning of 1991.[why?] The album sold well, due to the success of "Right Here, Right Now".[8] The song is about the swift end of the Cold War, and reached No. 2 in the US and No. 31 in the UK.[9][10] In June 1990, Jesus Jones appeared at the Glastonbury Festival.[11]
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.[10] In 1991, Jesus Jones were the only UK winners when they won the Best New Artist award at the MTV Awards.[12] In April 1991, the British music magazine NME reported that their US tour had sold out before Jesus Jones arrived in the country.[13]
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.[14]
Already and London (1996–2003)
[edit]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".
Later activities (2004–2015)
[edit]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, such as London T+C 1991 and London Astoria 1993.
In 2005, the Live at the Marquee DVD was released on Secret Recordings of a filmed gig from 2002.
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. In 2007 Hillary Clinton used the track for her electoral campaign. 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.[15] In 2011 the band released The Collection & Other Rarities, which included many of their B-side tracks as well as demos and rarities.[16]

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.[17]
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".[18]
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.[19]
Later activities (2015-current)
[edit]Jesus Jones have released further albums, namely Passages and Voyages in 2018 with further singles "Still Smiling" and "Animal Instinct" distributed online in 2024.
Band members
[edit]- Mike Edwards (born Michael James Edwards, 22 June 1964. 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)
- Gary Thatcher - bass on selected dates.
- 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
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [21] |
AUS [22][23] |
CAN [24] |
EUR [25] |
FIN [26] |
GER [27] |
NED [28] |
NZ [29] |
SWE [30] |
US [31] | |||||
| Liquidizer | 32 | 118 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Doubt |
|
1 | 23 | 35 | 10 | — | — | — | 6 | — | 25 | |||
| Perverse |
|
6 | 32 | 38 | 39 | 13 | 96 | 63 | 50 | 29 | 59 | |||
| Already |
|
161 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| London |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Passages |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| Voyages |
|
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Compilation albums
[edit]- 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 Zeroes and Ones: The Best of Jesus Jones (2-CD compilation)
- 2022 Some of the Answers (15-CD boxed set)
EPs
[edit]| Year | Title | Tracks | Peak chart positions | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [21] | ||||||||||||||
| 1989 | Food Christmas |
|
63 | |||||||||||
| 2004 | Culture Vulture |
|
— | |||||||||||
| 2016 | How's This Even Going Down? |
|
— | |||||||||||
| 2016 | Suck it Up |
|
- | |||||||||||
| 2019 | Liquidizer EP |
|
- | |||||||||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [21] |
AUS [22][23][36] |
CAN [37] |
EUR [38] |
FIN [26] |
GER [39] |
NED [28] |
NZ [29] |
US [31] |
US Alt. [31] | |||||
| 1989 | "Info Freako" | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Liquidizer | ||
| "Never Enough" | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "Bring It on Down" | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 1990 | "Real Real Real" | 19 | 117 | 10 | 48 | — | — | 59 | 37 | 4 | 26 | Doubt | ||
| "Right Here, Right Now" | 31 | 35 | 18 | 87 | 13 | 84 | 61 | 29 | 2 | 1 | ||||
| "International Bright Young Thing" | 7 | 79 | 58 | 29 | — | — | — | 22 | — | 6 | ||||
| 1991 | "Who? Where? Why?" | 21 | 167 | — | 82 | — | — | — | 48 | — | — | |||
| "Right Here, Right Now" (re-issue) | 31 | — | — | 87 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 1992 | "The Devil You Know" | 10 | 54 | 47 | 34 | — | — | 77 | 15 | — | 1 | Perverse | ||
| 1993 | "The Right Decision" | 36 | 184 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 12 | |||
| "Zeroes and Ones" | 30 | — | — | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 1997 | "The Next Big Thing" | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Already | ||
| "Chemical No.1" | 71 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 2002 | "Nowhere Slow" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | London | ||
| "Come on Home" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "In the Face of All of This" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| 2005 | "Right Here Right Now" (Robbie Rivera featuring Jesus Jones) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2016 | "How's This Even Going Down?" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Passages | ||
| "Suck it Up" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| "—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Video albums
[edit]- 1991 Big in Alaska
Other
[edit]- 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)
- 2005 Live at the Marquee (Live DVD)
- 2008 The Remixes (Remix download album)
- 2010 BBC in Concert 26th February 1991 London T+C
- 2010 BBC in Concert 30th March 1993 London Astoria
- 2013 Liquidizer Live DVD
References
[edit]- ^ Raggett, Ned (3 October 2011). "Right There, Right Then: Jesus Jones' Alternative History of 1991". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
- ^ Greene, Jo-Ann. "Jesus Jones - Live at the Marquee". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- ^ "The Year In Music". Spin. 9 (9). December 1991.
- ^ Thornton, Tim (2009). The Alternative Hero. Knopf Doubleday. p. 181. ISBN 978-0307272362.
- ^ Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 504. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ "Jesus Jones: Tour Dates". Jesusjones.com. 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "Jesus Jones". Grammy.com. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ a b Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 150/1. ISBN 0-85112-579-4.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 486. CN 5585.
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 282. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 471. CN 5585.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 488. CN 5585.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 483. CN 5585.
- ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Perverse – Jesus Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Jesus Jones tune massacre". Nzherald.com. 4 April 2010.
- ^ "The Collection – Jesus Jones | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Album Reissues with Extras CD+DVD packs". Jesusjones.com. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Quick & Dirty: Jesus Jones – Soot MagazineSoot Magazine". Sootmagazine.com. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "touring Australia and New Zealand in March 2015". Jesusjones.com. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
- ^ "Jesus Jones: Discography". Jesusjones.com. 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ a b c 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.de. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 7 October 1991". Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Canadian albums chart peaks:
- "Doubt". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Perverse". RPM. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ European albums chart peaks:
- "Doubt" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- "Perverse" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Finnish chart peaks". Suomenlistalevyt.blogspot.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ German albums chart peaks:
- "Perverse". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Dutch chart peaks". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b "New Zealand chart peaks". Charts.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "Swedish chart peaks". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "US chart peaks". Billboard. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b "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
- ^ "Music Canada > Gold & Platinum > Jesus Jones". Music Canada. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "New Zealand Certification - Jesus Jones (Doubt)". RMNZ. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^ "RIIA: Searchable database (Jesus Jones)". RIAA. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
- ^
- For 1992: "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 30 March 1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- For "The Right Decision": "Bubbling Down Under Week commencing 3 May1993". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ German singles chart peaks:
- "Right Here, Right Now". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
Further reading
[edit]External links
[edit]Jesus Jones
View on GrokipediaBackground
Formation
Jesus Jones was formed in late 1988 by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Edwards from Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England, along with Iain Baker on keyboards and programming, Jerry De Borg on guitars, Al Doughty on bass, and Simon Matthews (known as Gen) on drums.[4][1] The band emerged as a reaction to the frustrations experienced in their members' prior musical endeavors, with Edwards, Baker, and De Borg deciding to break away from an existing group during a holiday in Spain to pursue a fresh creative direction.[6][7] Edwards, who had previously played in the short-lived band Camouflage alongside Doughty and Matthews after relocating from Wiltshire to London in 1986, sought to blend rock instrumentation with electronic elements inspired by the burgeoning rave and dance scenes.[7][8] The band's name originated as an in-joke during that Spanish vacation, where Edwards, De Borg, and Matthews—jokingly referring to themselves as "Joneses" due to the commonality of the surname in England—found themselves surrounded by locals named Jesus, leading to the hybrid moniker that captured a sense of ironic cultural fusion.[4][9] Initial rehearsals took place in late 1988, focusing on integrating guitars and keyboards with programmed beats to create a high-energy sound that merged indie rock's raw edge with emerging dance rhythms.[1] The group quickly began performing early gigs in local London venues, such as a packed bar at University of London Union, often in a stripped-down four-piece setup before solidifying their full lineup, which helped refine their innovative approach.[7] By the end of 1988, Jesus Jones had recorded initial demos that showcased their distinctive fusion of alternative rock and electronic influences, catching the attention of industry scouts.[7] These efforts culminated in a signing with Food Records, a subsidiary of EMI, in December 1988, based solely on the strength of their demo tape, marking the transition from local experimentation to professional recording.[10][4]Musical style and influences
Jesus Jones' music is characterized by a fusion of alternative rock with electronic dance elements, prominently featuring genres such as dance-rock, indie dance, and grebo, which encompasses their early aggressive, genre-blending approach.[4][11][8] The band's sound integrates guitar-driven indie rock with influences from house, techno, and hip-hop, utilizing sampling, keyboards, and programming to produce upbeat, danceable rhythms that emphasize layered guitars and pop hooks.[1][11][12] Their style evolved from rap-influenced aggression and noise rock in their initial phase to a more polished pop-rock aesthetic in later works, incorporating darker, introspective electronic textures while maintaining crossover appeal between rock and dance audiences.[1][11] Key influences include hip-hop pioneers like Public Enemy for sampling techniques and rhythmic drive, noise rock acts such as Sonic Youth, punk icons like the Sex Pistols, and the broader acid house scene that shaped their electronic fusion.[11][1][12] Additional inspirations draw from contemporaries in indie-dance like The Shamen and Pop Will Eat Itself, as well as early heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, contributing to their "in-your-face" rock energy.[11][4] Signature elements of their music include politically charged lyrics inspired by social commentary in hip-hop, combined with optimistic and energetic tempos that bridge rock's raw power with dance's propulsion.[11][4]Career
1989–1995: Early success with Liquidizer, Doubt, and Perverse
In 1989, Jesus Jones signed with Food Records, an imprint of EMI, shortly after their formation the previous year. Their debut album, Liquidizer, was released in October 1989 and peaked at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart.[13] The album's lead single, "Info Freako," reached number 42 on the UK Singles Chart earlier that year, marking the band's initial chart entry and gaining cult status in the UK and Australia.[14][15] The band's breakthrough came with their second album, Doubt, released in January 1991, which topped the UK Albums Chart for one week and peaked at number 25 on the US Billboard 200.[16][17] Key singles from Doubt drove its success: "Right Here, Right Now" reached number 31 in the UK and number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, while also topping the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart; "Real Real Real" charted at number 19 in the UK and number 4 on the US Hot 100; and "International Bright Young Thing" peaked at number 7 in the UK.[18][19] "Right Here, Right Now" earned Grammy nominations for Best Alternative Music Performance (for the album) and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals (for the single), and its video won MTV's Best New Artist in a Video award in 1991.[20][21] The song also became a cultural touchstone as an anthem of post-Cold War optimism during the Gulf War era, frequently played on US news programs to underscore global political shifts.[9] Jesus Jones' third album, Perverse, arrived in January 1993 and peaked at number 6 on the UK Albums Chart.[22] Its lead single, "The Devil You Know," reached number 10 in the UK and topped the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, reflecting the band's continued blend of alternative rock and electronic elements.[23][24] During this period, Jesus Jones toured extensively across the UK, US, and Europe to support their releases, including headline shows in London, major US venues like The Warfield in San Francisco, and European dates, solidifying their international presence amid rising popularity.[25]1996–2003: Already and London
Following the commercial disappointment of their 1993 album Perverse, Jesus Jones entered an extended hiatus, during which frontman Mike Edwards pursued solo projects and the band members explored other endeavors. They reconvened in 1996 to record their fourth studio album, Already, which marked a continuation of their signature blend of alternative rock and electronic elements, though released during the height of the guitar-driven Britpop movement.[4][1] Already was released in February 1997 on EMI, the band's final album with the major label, and featured 12 tracks written entirely by Edwards. The album incorporated more pronounced electronic production, including synthesized beats and samples, reflecting the band's ongoing experimentation with dance-rock fusion amid a shifting UK music landscape dominated by Britpop acts like Oasis and Blur. Lead single "The Next Big Thing" peaked at No. 49 on the UK Singles Chart, while follow-up "Chemical #1" reached No. 71, signaling a decline from their early-1990s chart successes; the album itself entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 161, underscoring challenges in recapturing mainstream momentum.[26][3][4] In support of Already, the band undertook extensive touring, including multiple dates across the United States in 1997 and 1998, performing at venues such as New York's Irving Plaza and Los Angeles' Whisky a Go Go to connect with their core alternative audience. These tours highlighted internal creative tensions, as Edwards pushed for bolder electronic integrations, but also fostered experimentation that influenced their evolving sound. However, the album's modest performance led to the band's departure from EMI later in 1997, prompting a shift to independent operations.[25][27] By 2001, with original drummer Simon "Gen" Matthews having left in 1996—reportedly due to burnout after over a decade with the band—Jesus Jones reformed with replacement Tony Arthy on drums and signed to the independent Mi5 Recordings in the UK (and Koch Records in the US) for their fifth album, London. Released in October 2001, the album drew from personal themes in Edwards' life, including reflections on relationships and urban isolation, across tracks like "Stranger" and "Asleep on the Motorway," while maintaining electronic-rock textures but with a more introspective tone. It achieved no significant chart placement in the UK or US and produced no top 40 singles, with promotional EPs such as "Nowhere Slow" receiving limited airplay; despite critical praise for its maturity, the release underscored the band's transition to a niche, independent status.[28][29][30]2004–2015: Hiatus and reformation
Following the release of their 2001 album London, Jesus Jones entered a period of semi-hiatus, during which the band maintained low activity levels while members pursued personal interests outside music. Lead singer and primary songwriter Mike Edwards immersed himself in mountain biking, participating in events and writing articles for UK-based cycling publications.[4][31] The band resumed sporadic live performances beginning in 2005, including appearances at the Vilar de Mouros Festival in Portugal and club shows in Manchester, Birmingham, London, and Dublin. That year, they released the live DVD Live at the Marquee, capturing a full concert from their Dublin performance and showcasing material from their catalog.[25][32][33] Activity remained intermittent through the late 2000s, with a brief UK tour in October 2008 featuring intimate venues such as The Luminaire in Kilburn, London. These outings highlighted the band's enduring appeal among indie and alternative rock audiences.[34][25] In 2011, Jesus Jones reformed on a more structured basis to mark the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album Doubt, launching a tour that included joint dates in Australia with The Wonder Stuff and a headline slot at the Woolley Festival near Bradford-on-Avon, England, where they performed the album in its entirety. This resurgence involved the core lineup and focused on UK and European gigs, signaling a gradual return to performing.[25] Drummer Tony Arthy, who had joined in 2001, remained a key part of these efforts until his departure in late 2013, contributing to the stability of the group's occasional shows during the transitional years.[35][36]2016–present: Revived activity and new releases
Following their reformation, Jesus Jones experienced a resurgence in creative output and live performances, beginning with the independent release of their sixth studio album, Passages, in April 2018 through a crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMusic. The double album, produced by frontman Mike Edwards, explored themes of life's transitions and mortality, blending the band's signature alternative rock with electronic elements and guest contributions from artists like Terry Edwards on trumpet. A companion album, Voyages, followed in November 2018, featuring additional tracks and remixes that complemented Passages while expanding on its experimental sound, also released independently via the band's own channels.[37][38][39] In 2024, the band continued their independent streak with digital singles "Still Smiling," released in September 2023 with remixes including a collaboration with Jinx Padlock, and "Animal Instinct" in September 2024, both distributed via platforms like Bandcamp and streaming services. These releases marked a return to shorter-form output, emphasizing upbeat, introspective lyrics over full albums, and were supported by limited merchandise drops. In July 2025, Jesus Jones announced their seventh studio album, Twilight, for a hoped-for release by the end of the year, with Edwards describing it as a reflective work on endings and new beginnings, produced without major label involvement; as of November 2025, however, the album remains in post-production. The band has maintained independence since their EMI days, achieving success through direct fan support and digital distribution.[40][41][42][43] Live activity ramped up significantly, highlighted by a co-headlining UK tour with EMF and bis in October 2025, covering cities including Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, London, Oxford, and Bristol, where the band delivered sets mixing classics with newer material. Plans for a US leg were canceled due to logistical challenges, but the group performed at the Shiiine On Weekender festival in Minehead from November 14–17, 2025, alongside headliners The Jesus and Mary Chain, Ash, and others, fostering renewed connections with '90s alt-rock audiences. Drummer Simon "Gen" Matthews, an original member who rejoined after Tony Arthy's departure in late 2013, has anchored the rhythm section through this period, contributing to the band's cohesive sound on stage. Jesus Jones sustains fan engagement through active social media presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where they share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive merchandise, ensuring a dedicated following without reliance on major labels.[44][45][46][35][47][43]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of Jesus Jones, as of 2025, consists of the five original members, with the drummer having rejoined in 2013 after leaving in 1997.- Mike Edwards – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1988–present); the band's founder and primary songwriter.[1][9]
- Jerry De Borg – guitars (1988–present).[48]
- Al Doughty – bass (1988–present).[48]
- Iain Baker – keyboards, programming (1988–present).[48]
- Gen (Simon Matthews) – drums (2013–present).[1]
Former members
Simon Matthews, known professionally as Gen, served as the band's original drummer from its formation in 1988 until 1997.[49] He contributed to the band's early albums, including Liquidizer (1989), Doubt (1991), and Perverse (1993), before departing shortly after recording Already but prior to its release.[50] Tony Arthy joined Jesus Jones as drummer in 2001, replacing Matthews, and remained with the group until his resignation in December 2013.[35] During his tenure, Arthy performed on the albums London (2001) and subsequent releases, supporting the band's activities through the early 2000s and into the hiatus period.[51]Discography
Studio albums
Jesus Jones have released six studio albums to date, with their debut in 1989 and an upcoming seventh scheduled for 2025. The band's early work was issued through Food Records in the UK and associated labels in the US, achieving commercial success in the early 1990s before shifting to independent releases in later years.| Album | Release year | Label | UK peak | US peak (Billboard 200) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidizer | 1989 | Food/EMI | 32 | — |
| Doubt | 1991 | Food/EMI | 1 | 25 |
| Perverse | 1993 | SBK/EMI | 6 | 70 |
| Already | 1997 | EMI | 57 | — |
| London | 2001 | Mi5 | — | — |
| Passages | 2018 | RT Industries (independent) | — | — |
| Twilight | 2025 (upcoming) | RT Industries | — | — |
Compilation albums
Jesus Jones has released several compilation albums that curate selections from their discography, including greatest hits collections and expanded sets featuring rarities. These releases highlight the band's evolution from their early alternative dance sound to later works, often including bonus material not available on original studio albums. The band's initial compilation effort was the limited-edition The Greatest, issued in Japan in 1998 by EMI. This single-disc collection focuses on their most prominent singles from the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as "Info Freako" and "Never Enough," drawing primarily from their Food Records era. It served as an accessible entry point for international fans, emphasizing their breakthrough in the alternative rock scene.[54] In 2002, EMI followed with Never Enough: The Best of Jesus Jones, a more comprehensive double-CD greatest hits album. The first disc assembles 19 key tracks, including chart-toppers like "Right Here, Right Now" from Doubt (1991) and "Zeroes + Ones" from Perverse (1993), representing their commercial peak. The second disc adds 12 remixes and B-sides, such as the Ben Chapman mix of "Real Real Real," offering fans deeper cuts and alternate versions that showcase the band's experimental production style. Released amid a period of reduced activity, it capitalized on nostalgia for their early success.[55][56][57] Marking a resurgence in catalog reissues, Edsel Records launched Some of the Answers in 2022 as a 15-CD box set. This expansive retrospective includes remastered versions of all six studio albums—Liquidizer (1989), Doubt (1991), Perverse (1993), Already (1997), London (2001), and Passages (2018)—augmented by 131 bonus tracks comprising unreleased demos, rarities, live recordings, and remixes. For instance, it features early demos like "Miss Universe" and alternate takes from sessions across their career. The set is housed in a deluxe book-format package with a 100-page booklet containing track-by-track annotations by keyboardist Iain Baker, photographs, and essays, providing comprehensive context for the band's 30-plus years of music.[58][59][60]| Title | Year | Label | Format | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Greatest | 1998 | EMI | CD (limited edition) | 12-track hits collection focused on early singles; Japan-exclusive.[54] |
| Never Enough: The Best of Jesus Jones | 2002 | EMI | 2×CD | 19 hits + 12 remixes/B-sides; covers 1989–1993 material.[56] |
| Some of the Answers | 2022 | Edsel Records | 15×CD box set | All studio albums + 131 bonuses (demos, lives, rarities); includes book.[59] |