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.
Uncomfortable
Reef Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without warning
Tell what it is you need to know
Am I safe? Am I learning?
Am I giving all of these things that you want to have?
Come to me I say, cos I'm drowning
All these feelings, feelings I can only dream about
Sometimes I'm thinking what is it you really want to hear
Why don't you tell me right now?
Come to me I say, cos I'm drowning
All these feelings, feelings you can only dream about
My mistake but as it happens
Sometimes I'm thinking what is it you really want to hear
Why don't you tell me right now?
But what I really think is I'm not in control, I'm crying
She comes in to my body and makes you feel uncomfortable
That is the way that it makes you feel
The lyrics of Reef's song "Uncomfortable" seem to be about a person who is in a state of uncertainty and insecurity about their relationships with others. The opening lines of the song speak to a sense of relief and gratitude at being saved from an unknown situation without warning, possibly referring to a failed relationship or a difficult situation that the singer has been rescued from.
The refrain of the song is a plea for someone to come to the singer and help them, as they are lost in a sea of overwhelming feelings that they can't manage on their own. The lyrics use vivid imagery of drowning and dreaming to convey the intensity of the singer's emotions and their sense of being overwhelmed.
Despite this plea, the singer also acknowledges that they feel out of control and unsure of what they want or need from others, suggesting perhaps that they are struggling with issues of self-esteem or confidence.
The final lines of the song are somewhat cryptic, suggesting that someone else's presence in the singer's life is making others feel uncomfortable. It's unclear exactly what is meant by this, but it could be a reference to a difficult or complicated relationship that is causing tension among those around the singer.
Overall, the lyrics of "Uncomfortable" convey a sense of emotional turmoil, insecurity, and confusion, as the singer struggles to navigate their relationships with others and make sense of their own feelings and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
And they'd came saving grace
Unexpectedly, saviors arrived
Without warning
No prior indication given
Tell what it is you need to know
Ask me anything you wish to know
Am I safe? Am I learning?
Do I feel secure? Am I gaining knowledge?
Am I giving all of these things that you want to have?
Am I providing everything you desire?
Come to me I say, cos I'm drowning
Come to my rescue, as I feel overwhelmed
All these feelings, feelings I can only dream about
Emotions I cannot yet comprehend
My mistake but as it happens, sometimes I'm thinking what is it you really want to hear
I may have made errors, and at times wonder what exactly you hope to hear
Why don't you tell me right now?
Why not express your thoughts presently?
But what I really think is I'm not in control, I'm crying
I truly believe that I lack control and am weeping
She comes in to my body and makes you feel uncomfortable
A woman possesses me, generating unease for you
That is the way that it makes you feel
It provokes those particular negative sentiments
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.