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/
Snakedriver
The Jesus and Mary Chain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't hate them but I know them I don't want them hanging around
I won't roll my bones for every little girl who gets on down
I got space and space got me I should be selling it by the pound
Ever since I heard the voice I thought I had no choice but then I kissed her
I don't mind if I get broken I don't mind if I get fixed
I don't mind if I'm not spoken I don't mind if I get kicks
And the photographs of god I bought have almost fade away
Everything just passes by I thought it always would but then I kissed her
The Jesus and Mary Chain's song Snakedriver has a set of cryptic yet fascinating lyrics. The first two lines might seem confusing at first, but as the song progresses, the meaning becomes clearer. The singer talks about having heterosexual friends who have syphilis in every part of town. Although he claims that he doesn't hate them, he also says that he doesn't want them hanging around. This is likely a metaphor for the singer's own struggles with his sexuality and his discomfort with those who are sexually active with women.
The second verse is just as obscure as the first. The singer talks about how he won't give into temptation and sleep with every woman he meets, but he also acknowledges that he enjoys getting his kicks. He says that he doesn't mind if he gets broken or fixed and that if he wakes up dead, he'll wake up just like any other day. The last line of the verse about the photographs of God fading away is a nod to the singer's disillusionment with religion.
Throughout the song, there's a sense of detachment and resignation in the singer's voice, almost as if he's given up on trying to make sense of the world. However, there's also a glimmer of hope, as seen in the line "but then I kissed her." This line could be interpreted in many ways, but it could symbolize the transformative power of love and how it can change even the most jaded of souls.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got syphilitic hetro friends in every part of town
I know people from all walks of life, some of whom have made poor choices, like engaging in risky sexual behavior, but I do not judge them for it.
I don't hate them but I know them I don't want them hanging around
While I may have different values and lifestyles than my friends, I still care about them, but I am selective about who I choose to spend time with.
I won't roll my bones for every little girl who gets on down
I am not the type to succumb to temptation easily, especially when it comes to sexual encounters.
I got space and space got me I should be selling it by the pound
I am someone who values my independence and personal space greatly. If only I could monetize these factors, I would be rich!
Ever since I heard the voice I thought I had no choice but then I kissed her
Despite trying to stay level-headed, I found myself swept away by something (or someone!) I couldn't resist.
I don't mind if I get broken I don't mind if I get fixed
I am not afraid to experience emotional highs and lows - it is part of what makes life special, even if things don't always go smoothly.
I don't mind if I'm not spoken I don't mind if I get kicks
I do not crave attention or validation from others, but I do enjoy indulging in fleeting pleasures from time to time.
If I wake up dead I'll wake up just like any other day
I accept that death is a part of life, and if it comes, it will not change the value of my day-to-day experiences that have led up to that point.
And the photographs of god I bought have almost fade away
Despite seeking spiritual guidance in the past, I have found that my faith has waned over time.
Everything just passes by I thought it always would but then I kissed her
Life has a funny way of catching you off guard and subverting your expectations, like when I found myself falling for someone unexpected.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
Written by: JAMES REID, WILLIAM ADAM REID
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matthewgarnier6460
I've got syphilitic hetero friends in every part of town
I don't hate them but I know them I don't want them hanging around
I won't roll my bones for every little girl who gets on down
I got space and space got me I should be selling it by the pound
Ever since I heard the voice I thought I had no choice but then I kissed her
I don't mind if I get broken I don't mind if I get fixed
I don't mind if I'm not spoken I don't mind if I get kicks
If I wake up dead I'll wake up just like any other day
And the photographs of god I bought have almost faded away
Everything just passes by I thought it always would but then I kissed her
@aether5171
I've got syphilitic hetro friends in every part of town
I don't hate them but I know them, I don't want them hanging around
I won't roll my bones for every little girl who gets on down
I got space and space got me, I should be selling it by the pound
Ever since I heard the voice
I thought I had no choice, but then I kissed her
I don't mind if I get broken, I don't mind if I get fixed
I don't mind if I'm not spoken, I don't mind if I get kicks
If I wake up dead, I'll wake up just like any other day
And the photographs of God
I bought have almost fade away
Everything just passes by
I thought it always would, but then I kissed her
@simonnaylor3536
The Crow was the best movie Soundtrack ever, back when soundtracks were awesome. This song was a big part of why it was soooo good!
@MLUTV
The Jesus and Mary Chain are just awesome brother and so much so we even named ourselves from a track on Psychocandy :-)
@archangel5627
I totally agree with you! 🤘🏻💪🏻😎
@osmanbasmer1080
The best crow song 🤘
@karlanadia2012
Marry me❤️
@williamwinn948
My fav movie growing up.
@exkirkby
a totally overlooked song but it's in my top ten. It's just genius
@MLUTV
YES!!!
@markwhite2207
If any record needs the instruction must play loud...
@glenevansburns1128
This song actually bleeds my ears with all that reverb and distortion on guitars 🎸