JAMC's early gigs have become the stuff of legend in underground circles. Playing in front of small audiences, the band earned their notoriety by playing very short gigs, some lasting no more than ten minutes and consisting of a constant wall of feedback and distortion. The group became know as well for playing with their backs to the audience and refusing to speak to them. Many shows culminated with the Reids trashing their equipment, which was often followed by the audience rioting. All of this delighted manager and Creation Records boss Alan McGee, who obviously found it very easy to get attention for the band, as well as aliened more commercially-minded music business figures.
Their debut single, "Upside Down", came out in 1984 on Creation, but they signed to the WEA-backed Blanco y Negro the following year. Said label released their debut album, titled 'Psychocandy', which fused together the Reid's two primary influences, the guitar noise and avant-garde rock of The Velvet Underground with the 60s pop leanings of Phil Spector and The Beach Boys. It included songs such as the indie sensation "Just Like Honey". The record divided many music fans due to its deliberately abrasive sound yet still received positive critical reviews and is now considered a landmark recording in the history of alternative music.
Gillespie left the band before the next album, 'Darklands, came out, going on to front Primal Scream. He was briefly replaced by John Moore (later of Black Box Recorder), before former Biff Bang Pow! drummer Dave Evans. The aforementioned 'Darklands' also received supportive reviews, and it showed a less noisy and more contemplative sound that was welcomed by both many post-punk fans and many mainstream rock fans. Notable songs from that period include "April Skies" and "Happy When It Rains".
Albums
# Psychocandy (November 1985)
# Darklands (September 1987)
# Automatic (September 1989)
# Honey's Dead (March 1992)
# Stoned & Dethroned (1994)
# Munki (June 1998)
# Damage and Joy (2017)
Plus the following - (sessions, singles, b-sides, live recordings et cetera)
# Barbed Wire Kisses (April 1988)
# The Sound of Speed (1993)
# Hate Rock N' Roll (1995)
# 21 Singles (2002)
# BBC Live in Concert (2003)
# The Complete John Peel Sessions (2003)
# The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides & Rarities (2008)
For the iconic indie label Sub Pop, the band recorded 1998's 'Munki' album, which would turn out to be their last before splitting the following year. The album is often thought of as sounding 'divided' due to the Reids' crumbling relationship. Jim Reid has recalled: "Me and William weren't really getting along at all. That last year we barely even spoke. 'Munki' is one of my favorite albums, but it was really divided. William would go into the studio with the rest of the band and record while I wasn't there, and then I'd go in with them when William wasn't there."
William Reid then recorded as the artist Lazycame. Brother Jim formed the band Freeheat, which disbanded in 2003. Jim Reid is currently recording solo material and he has, to date, recorded and released one single Song For A Secret which was released on Transistor Records.
Like some of their influences such as Dee Dee Ramone, Lee Hazelwood, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, throughout their career the boys were rumored to have ongoing substance abuse issues, which may have contributed to their notoriety. They reportedly dabbled in regular use of things like amphetamines and heroin, which made for lyrical reference in songs like Some Candy Talking and the album title Stoned & Dethroned.
Despite not having huge commercial success, they've gone on to influence a range of other music groups such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Butthole Surfers, My Bloody Valentine, and Spacemen 3.
The Jesus and Mary Chain reunited to play at the Coachella Festival on April 27, 2007, followed by two more shows in Spain at the Summercase Festival. More shows followed in late 2007 and early 2008 in London.
Calling themselves 'Sister Vanilla' an LP, Little Pop Rock, was released in 2007 and reunites the brothers along with their sister, Linda, singing on most tracks.
Damage And Joy is the brand new studio album by The Jesus And Mary Chain, released on March 24th, 2017.
Other personnel;
Richard Thomas (drums 1988-1990)
Ben Lurie (bass/rhythm guitar/backing vocals 1989-1998)
Steve Monti (drums 1990-1995)
Matthew Parkin (bass 1992)
Barry Blackler (drums 1992)
Nick Sanderson (drums 1993-1998)
Mark Crozer (rhythm guitar 2007-now)
Loz Colbert (drums 2007-now)
JAMC singer Jim Reid is name-checked in the 2017 song "Lollipop (Ode to Jim)" by Canadian band Alvvays which begins "I saw Jim Reid in the corridor.." and contains other allusions to JAMC themes.
http://thejesusandmarychain.uk.com/
Cracked
The Jesus and Mary Chain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You ??
Little Johnny little Johnny
You make a crazy sound
Make a crazy sound
??
Crack Johnny crack
Fuck Johnny fuck
Fuck Johnny fuck
Fuck Johnny fuck
Fuck Johnny fuck
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fucking fuck
??
??
Fuck Crack crack crack crack crack crack crack
fuck fuck suck fuck crack ?? fuck
etc.
The lyrics of The Jesus and Mary Chain's song Cracked, although quite simple and seemingly nonsensical, carry a certain degree of emotional intensity that stems from the energy and attitude of the music itself. The repetition and distortion of the phrases "Little Johnny little Johnny" and "Make a crazy sound" reflect a sense of confusion and instability, as if the singer is searching for something he cannot find. The line "You make a crazy sound" could be interpreted as a reference to the dissonant and chaotic guitar-driven sound of the band. The subsequent phrases "Crack Johnny crack, walk Johnny walk," and "Fuck Johnny fuck" convey a sense of aggression and defiance, as if the singers are challenging the listener to follow their lead and break free from whatever constraints they may be facing. Ultimately, the lyrics of Cracked could be seen as an expression of youthful rebellion, disillusionment, and raw energy, set to a punk-influenced rock and roll sound.
Line by Line Meaning
Little Johnny little Johnny
Referring to an imaginary person named Johnny
You ??
Unknown action that Johnny is taking
Little Johnny little Johnny
Referring to an imaginary person named Johnny
You make a crazy sound
Johnny's making an unusual noise
Make a crazy sound
Repeating the idea of Johnny making an odd noise
Crack Johnny crack
Encouraging Johnny to act out and break societal norms
Walk Johnny walk
Encouraging Johnny to keep moving forward in life
Fuck Johnny fuck
Johnny engaging in sexual activity
Fuck Johnny fuck
Repeating the idea of Johnny having sex
Fuck Johnny fuck
Repeating the idea of Johnny engaging in sexual activity
Fuck Johnny fuck
Repeating the idea of Johnny having sex
Fuck Johnny fuck
Repeating the idea of Johnny engaging in sexual activity
Fuck Johnny fuck
Repeating the idea of Johnny having sex
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fucking fuck
Repeated profanity with no clear meaning
??
Unknown event happening
??
Unknown event occurring
Fuck Crack crack crack crack crack crack crack
Engaging in drug use or describing a drug-induced state
fuck fuck suck fuck crack ?? fuck
More profanity with possible drug use or sexual activity involved
Contributed by Alexis B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@wesleygray8957
best band ever. must be played almost at speakers distortion point. i skate to this shit like no one's business.
@miklavage
One of my fave moments in music ever... dark power but so cathartic... keep coming back to it
@slovakhorse
I'm from East Kilbride,I bought this 12" record (which lasts under 4 mins) when I was about 15yrs old, It had a T.V. photo of a guitar on it (reminding me of "Vegetable Man").Seeing this band at Glasgow Barrowlands in 1995 was fucking mental.
@biogeniclife
I am very jealous. 🌧
@TheSygiov
MASTERPIECE!
@bretadounitedfc
THIS SHIT BURNS MY EARS OUT...BUT I CANT GET ENOUGH OF IT.
@MarkSutphin
this is the "holy s**t" song of all time, didnt think much when I got the b-sides CD, then all hell broke loose when this came on, maxx volume!!!
@cheepasskid
Feel the same dude
@cheepasskid
Except the part abt not feeling much abt the rest. I love it all. And this
@cheepasskid
I love @3:20 how It always makes me think they’re like “oh Shit I Fucking forgot to turn the noise back on” and he just flicks it like a light switch it’s all back