During the eigthies they operated in changing line-ups with Chandler and Dawkins the only permanent members of the band. In 1984 they released their first demo tape, titled Baboon Enquiries. From 1987 untill their spilt in 1989 they were produced by Steve Rothery of Marillion. During that period the band had a formal line-up of Chandler, Dawkins, Pete Salmon on keyboards and Mark Law on drums. After another three demo tapes in 1987 and 1988, the band released an eight-track vynil self-titled record in 1989, mainly comprised of the previously released demos, as well as a video of their concert shot in the Marquee. After the split Salmon and Law started the band Ultraworld.
In June 1990 Chandler reformed the band with Steve Christley on drums, Nick May (ex Dagaband and Tamarisk) on bass and his friend Martin Orford (of IQ) on keyboard and backing vocals. In 1992 Jadis finally released their "first" real album, More Than Meets the Eye. During the recording proccess of the album May was replaced by IQ bass player John Jowitt (ex Ark). Gary Chandler wrote most of the music and lyrics, but the whole group in general is given song-writing credit.
In the mid-nineties, Orford and Jowitt left the band and were replaced by Mike Torr on keyboards and Steve Hunt on bass, but when Torr missed a gig, since it took place without his knowledge, and Hunt wasn't able to stick to the strict rules of Chandler of staying sober during gigs and not taking drugs, they were both replaced by the returning Orford and Jowitt.
Shortly after completing their album Photoplay in 2006 Orford left the band for a second time due to musical differences. Shortly after he quit IQ as well to spend all his time on the record label Giant Electric Pea, creating his own music. He has now left the music business altogether having released two 'solo' albums - these actually featured guest musicians from IQ and Jadis, as well as John Wetton on vocals.
He was replaced by Giulio Risi, who is not a full member but joins the band on a session basis. John Jowitt also left Jadis and was replaced by Andy Marlow. Live the band is accompanied by Steve Thorne on guitar and vocals.
Discography:
1984 - Baboon Enquiries (cassette)
1987 - Out Of Reach / G13 (cassette DEM1)
1988 - Don't Keep Me Waiting / In The Dark (cassette DEM2)
1988 - Live (cassette DEM3)
1989 - Jadis (lp, Back Beat 004/12)
1989 - Live At The Marquee 18-02-1989 (video)
1992 - More Than Meets The Eye (cd)
1993 - Once Upon A Time (cd ep)
1994 - Across The Water (cd)
1996 - Once Or Twice (cd ep)
1997 - Somersault (cd)
1998 - As Daylight Fades (cd)
2000 - Understand (cd)
2001 - Alive Outside (cd)
2003 - Fanatic (cd)
2003 - View From Above (dvd)
2004 - Medium Rare (cd)
2005 - More Than Meets The Eye (cd remastered with bonus cd)
2006 - Photoplay (cd)
2012 - See Right Through You
2016 - No Fear of Looking Down
In The Dark
Jadis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A fresh cool spring drips onto my face
I'm worlds apart behind this cold grey border
A distant scream sets my heart to race
So they will, so they will
Stay here, stay here
Playing with your life, it's all the same to them
I'll keep running, never thought it would be forever
Playing with your life, it's all the same to them
The song "In the Dark" by Jadis paints a picture of a person lost and alone in the darkness. The lyrics suggest that the singer is in some sort of dangerous terrain, where there is water and darkness, and the only respite is the fresh cool spring that drips onto their face. The singer is worlds apart from any form of familiarity, where they constantly hear distant screams that set their heart to race. The lyrics suggest that the person is in a state of confusion and terror, not knowing what to expect or how to navigate through their situation. The repeated phrase "So they will, so they will, stay here, stay here" could suggest that the singer has given up hope of escape and is resigned to their fate. The second half of the song is a repetition of the phrase "I'll keep running, if I fall it will be forever, playing with your life, it's all the same to them," which could suggest that the singer is in a dangerous situation where their life is at risk, possibly being chased by something, and no one is coming to help them.
Line by Line Meaning
Where there's dark and where there's water
When there is darkness and water together
A fresh cool spring drips onto my face
I feel a cool and refreshing spring gently falling onto my face
I'm worlds apart behind this cold grey border
I feel like I am in a completely different world, separated by a cold and gray border
A distant scream sets my heart to race
When I hear a scream far away, my heart starts beating quickly
So they will, so they will
They will stay where they are, they will not move
Stay here, stay here
Don't go anywhere, remain here
I'll keep running, if I fall it will be forever
I will continue to run, and if I stumble or fail, it will be a permanent failure
Playing with your life, it's all the same to them
They are indifferent to the fact that they are risking your life
I'll keep running, never thought it would be forever
I will keep moving, although I never expected to do so indefinitely
Playing with your life, it's all the same to them
They are unconcerned about the fact that they are putting your life in danger
Contributed by Mason Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.