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/
Subway
The Jesus and Mary Chain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got to turn to the sun
I've got the upper hand
When the world turns around
It turns it turns for you
I guess a whole lotta loving
Don't mean a thing
Don't shout and sing
And when the fight comes to run
It runs and runs for you
I guess that all that I can say
Is just I've gotta have my way
And there's nothing that you can't see through
And there's nothing left for me to do
Funny it's true
I've gotta get get you
And the world it turns
And the fire burns and burns
And all the sickest people die in the flames
And all the twist and turns
And all the twisted suns
And when the fire burns it burns for you
The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Subway" is a song that is open to interpretation, but the lyrics seem to be about being true to oneself and not letting others dictate one's life. The singer is making it clear that there are certain things that are necessary to them, such as turning to the sun and having the upper hand. They acknowledge that not everyone will understand their beliefs and behavior, but they don't care because it's what they need to do. The refrain of "it turns it turns for you" suggests that the world still revolves, despite different individuals' actions and beliefs.
There seems to be frustration with people who try to impose their views onto others ("You gotta stand other people / Don't shout and sing"), as the singer feels the need to have control over their own life. Additionally, there is an apocalyptic overtone to the song, with "the sickest people" dying in flames and "the fire burns and burns." It can be interpreted as a metaphor for self-destruction or the end of the world, but the singer remains determined to "get you." It's unclear who "you" represents, but it could be interpreted as an individual or even one's self.
Overall, the lyrics of "Subway" seem to be encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves and not let others' opinions sway them. The apocalyptic imagery adds a sense of urgency to the message.
Line by Line Meaning
Some kind of people don't understand
There are certain kinds of people who fail to understand
I've got to turn to the sun
I need to look for hope or positivity, like turning to the sun for warmth and light
I've got the upper hand
I am in a position of advantage or control
When the world turns around
When the situations change
It turns it turns for you
These changes or developments mainly affect you
I guess a whole lotta loving
Having a lot of love or affection may not be enough
Don't mean a thing
It may not have any significance
You gotta stand other people
You need to go along with other people's choices or decisions
Don't shout and sing
Avoid calling excessive attention to yourself
And when the fight comes to run
If a situation becomes difficult, it's best to leave or withdraw
It runs and runs for you
The situation or conflict mainly affects you
I guess that all that I can say
This is all I can express
Is just I've gotta have my way
I want things to happen according to my preferences or desires
And there's nothing that you can't see through
You can easily understand or see through the situation
And there's nothing left for me to do
I have nothing more to contribute
Funny it's true
It's ironic or surprising but still true
I've gotta get get you
I need to have you or get your attention
And the world it turns
The world keeps moving or changing
And the fire burns and burns
Things can get heated or intense
And all the sickest people die in the flames
The worst or most vulnerable people suffer the most
And all the twist and turns
All the unexpected or complicated events
And all the twisted suns
Even the seemingly positive things can have a dark side
And when the fire burns it burns for you
The intensity or consequences of the situation mainly affect you
Contributed by Arianna N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.