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.
Fade
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So same resting on my mind
I don't build these walls between us
Take me to the top I feel no shame
I don't see these walls between us
Take me to your drug related game
So same resting on my mind
It's on my mind
I don't build these walls between us
Take me to the top
I feel no shame
I don't see these walls between us
Take me to your drug related game
I feel so good I cannot hide
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
She came right before my eyes
So same resting on my mind
It's on my mind
I don't build these walls between us
Take me to the top
I feel no shame, no shame
I don't see these walls between us
Take me to your drug related game
I feel so good I cannot hide
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not be wasted
Oh I would not be wasted
I said I would not fade away
I would not be wasted
Oh I would not be wasted
I said I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
I would not fade away
The lyrics in Reef's song "Fade" seem to explore a feeling of liberation or freedom from societal constraints or expectations. The singer seems to be addressing someone, and saying that they do not want to build walls between them. They want to be taken to the top, to a place where they feel no shame, and where they can participate in a "drug-related game." It's unclear what this game specifically refers to, but it could be a metaphor for a certain lifestyle or behavior that the singer desires.
The repeated line "She came right before my eyes" adds a sense of immediacy and urgency to the song, as if the singer is experiencing something in real-time. The line "I feel so good I cannot hide" also reinforces this idea of being in the moment and embracing a feeling of euphoria or pleasure. The final repetition of "I would not fade away" suggests that the singer wants to hold on to this feeling and not let it slip away or fade into memory.
Overall, the lyrics in "Fade" are open to interpretation, but they contain a sense of rebellion or nonconformity that invites the listener to imagine what it might mean to them personally.
Line by Line Meaning
She came right before my eyes
He saw her for the first time and was captivated
So same resting on my mind
She left a strong impression on his mind
I don't build these walls between us
He doesn't want any barriers between them
Take me to the top I feel no shame
He is ready to take a risk and be with her no matter what
I don't see these walls between us
He doesn't want anything to come between them
Take me to your drug related game
He is willing to do anything to be with her, even if it's dangerous or risky
I feel so good I cannot hide
He is happy and excited about being with her
I would not fade away
He doesn't want their relationship to end or fade away
It's on my mind
He can't stop thinking about her
I would not be wasted
He doesn't want to ruin their relationship or potential future together
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.