In 1993 while Gary and Jack were looking for band members, Kenwyn had met up with Dominic Greensmith in London and discussed forming a band. So, the foursome got together, got a house in West London and started to jam.
After recording a couple of tracks, the band spent much of 1994 touring and building up a fan base. They signed to S2, an off-shoot of Sony and supplied them with "Naked" which was used in a TV advert for the Sony Minidisc in which a record company executive hears the track on Minidisc, throws it out of the window disapprovingly, but a young man outside picks it up, listens to it and likes it (demonstrating the format's durability). It would have been very easy for Reef to cash in on this and release Naked, although they would probably have gone the way of Stiltskin and been a one-hit-wonder. Instead, they took their time and a few months later, released "Good Feeling", then "Naked" and then a non-album track "Weird". All of these singles were top 20.
In 1995 Reef released their now Gold debut album "Replenish".
"We wanted our first album, ‘Replenish’, to be a really honest statement. Four people playing in a room and getting something that’s totally their own. It was recorded in the most basic way possible. Minimal room sounds. Up until recently, all I used for effects was a wah-pedal and I only used that on two songs." Kenwyn House.
The follow up to "Replenish" was "Glow", which was more diverse, with the band using different instruments and creating a more interesting style. It spawned the hit singles "Place Your Hands", "Come Back Brighter", "Consideration" and "Yer Old" which increased Reef’s profile in the UK and abroad. On the week of its release, "Glow" went straight to number 1 in the UK album chart.
In 1999 Reef released their third album "Rides". They have even swapped instruments on some tracks with Gary and Dom playing guitar and Jack singing on one song.
"Set The Record Straight" is the highlight of Getaway (Sony, 2000), their fourth album and most commercial work yet.
In total they have had 8 UK top 20 singles.
Place Your Hands remains a party and compilation favourite many years later.
They also headlined at the Reading festival in 1999.
In 2004 Reef took a long break from their constant touring.
Gary appeared at Bristol Academy as a guest DJ on the 28th of February.
Kenwyn House formed a new band called McArthur, while Dominic Greensmith started touring with his new band, Kubb.
Gary and Jack play in rock band THEM IS ME
Gary Stringer, Jack Bessant, Kenywn House & Dominic Greensmith are back together for six live shows in April 2010.
Comfort
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hold me 'till I sleep.
Stay with me.
Come on won't you please.
Loosen up your love.
Say you'll stay with me.
Mixture is my song.
Come in let's be there.
Stay with me 'till I sleep.
Female comfort's what I need.
Ask for help won't you please.
Female comfort is what I need
In these lyrics from the song "Comfort" by Reef, we can see the singer asking for comfort and companionship. The repeated phrase "Comfort me", and "Hold me 'till I sleep", demonstrate the desperation for human connection during troubled times. The idea of "loosening up your love" suggests that the singer is looking for someone who can offer them a relaxed and understanding attitude. The invitation to "come in let's be there" shows an openness to spending time and connecting with another person.
The lyrics also specifically mention "female comfort". The singer is looking for a woman to provide this comfort, indicating that they may feel more at ease and understood by someone of the same gender. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the importance of finding a strong support system during difficult times. Overall, the lyrics of "Comfort" express the human need for companionship, comfort, and understanding, particularly from someone who can offer a relaxed and nurturing environment.
Line by Line Meaning
Comfort me.
Provide me with emotional support.
Hold me 'till I sleep.
Embrace me until I am able to fall asleep.
Stay with me.
Remain present with me.
Come on won't you please.
I request you to stay with me.
Loosen up your love.
Be more emotionally open and affectionate.
Say you'll stay with me.
Verbally commit to being present with me.
Mixture is my song.
My emotions and feelings are complex and difficult to express.
Come in let's be there.
Join me in experiencing and processing my emotions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kassner Associated Publishers Ltd
Written by: DOMINIC JOSEPH GREENSMITH, GARY PAUL STRINGER, JOHN DAVID BESSANT, KENWYN JOHN HOUSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yukfoo5286
Life is too short to not listen to Reef.
@running4fun863
Again ageless music, love it.
@justarandombluefrog3077
Outstanding beautiful song throughput
@nicolar.hodges938
SHIT I MUST BUY THIS LP AGAIN !
@gizmotv9320
Shame no tab for this. Amazing guitar
@Mikasa186_
It seems like soundgarden nirvana pearl jam audioslave
@liamtimothy1929
It seems like Reef... lol.
@ethandavis8090
90s west country British surfer rock is what it is. I personally love grunge as well. I would say Gary stringer could have been influenced by Eddie vedder. Eddie was very influential in developing that 90s vocal sound/style we all know and love.
@1111stories
Music of the times....was good back then ❤️