Then Jerico

Then Jerico
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Alternative rock, pop rock, new wave[1]
Years active 1983–present
Labels London Records
Website www.thenjerico.com
Members Mark Shaw
PJ Phillips
Ryan Williams
Justin McConville
Barry Ross
Past members Jasper Stainthorpe
Nick Beggs
Paul Harvey
Simon Ellis
Guy Pratt
Steve Wren
Scott Taylor
Cliff Lawrence
Mark Sanderson
Ben Angwin
Alex Mungo
Rob Downes
Chris Youdell
Keith Airey
John Miller

Then Jerico are an English rock band who became popular in the late 1980s.

Career

The band included singer Mark Shaw, bassist Jasper Stainthorpe, drummer Steve Wren, and guitarist Scott Taylor.[2]

The band played at The Limelight Club in NYC in 1983 and signed to London Records in 1984. The single "The Big Sweep" was recorded for London but they objected to the lyrical subject matter (an anti-Robert Maxwell/Rupert Murdoch statement). It was initially released by the track's producer Martin Rushent on his own Immaculate label in 1985 and later as a limited edition by London Records along with the new song, "Fault".[2]

The band's songs "Muscle Deep" and "The Motive" charted in 1987.[2] They enjoyed success with two albums, First (The Sound of Music) (1987) co-produced by Mark Shaw and Owen Davies, which reached number 35 in the UK Albums Chart,[3] followed by The Big Area in 1989 that went gold and reached number 4 in the UK Albums Chart.[3] Producer Rick Nowels took care of about more than half of the tracks on that album which also led to the appearance of Belinda Carlisle on side vocals on the single "What Does It Take".[4]

Released in 1988, ahead of the group's second album, "Big Area" achieved their greatest chart success, peaking at number 13 in the UK Singles Chart.[3]

The original Then Jerico line-up split up in early 1990,[5] with Mark Shaw leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He released his only studio album, Almost for EMI in 1991.[6][7] It was produced by guitarist Andy Taylor and included two singles "Love So Bright" and "Under Your Spell".[7] Mark Shaw has also worked off and on with Spandau Ballet lead singer Tony Hadley and the SAS Band.[2]

In 1998, Shaw re-activated Then Jerico, writing the materials for Orgasmaphobia, a self-financed album[6][8] released on Eagle Rock. The album was co-produced by Mark Shaw and Andy Taylor with collaborations from Taylor, Simple Minds' keyboard player Mick MacNeil and author Iain Banks.[8] In 2000, a live album Alive & Exposed was released by Yeaah! Records credited to 'Then Jerico... Mark Shaw Etc.'.[9] It was a recording made in the summer of 1992 of a concert at The Grand Theatre, Clapham in London.[9][10] It contained a new song "Step into The Light".[10]

Shaw embarked on a new Then Jerico tour in 2012 with an original line-up of the band, made up of Mark Shaw, guitarists Rob Downes and Scott Taylor, bass player Jasper Stainthorpe and drummer Steve Wren.[11]

A Reprise Tour was launched for 2013[12] to promote the release of the 'Reprise' compilation album[12] on Warner / Rhino Music with a number of appearances including at Henley's Rewind the 80s Music[13][14] and at the Let's Rock Bristol festivals.[15]

As of February 2014 the 'original' Then Jerico called it a day; however, lead singer Mark Shaw has continued, as he vowed to do, with a new and improved line-up to fulfill Let's Rock festival dates in May, June and July. In 2015 Shaw has been playing club shows prior to a new album release in 2016 and a forthcoming performance at "Let's Rock London", Clapham Common, London, on July 16th 2016.

Original band members

Their live shows featured the talents of backing vocalist Bari Goddard (who also worked with Cliff Richard, Madonna and Jimmy Somerville among others) and Steve Lee (Joan Armatrading); some of these performances are available on the double CD release Radio Jerico which showcase some Radio 1 sessions and the full Hammersmith Odeon show of 1989.

Current band members

Discography

Albums

Singles

References

  1. ↑ "News: Then Jerico reform for 2012 UK Big Area Tour". Allgigs.co.uk. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Biography by Dan LeRoy". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 555. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ↑ What Does It Take video
  5. ↑ Kat Duke (24 November 2009). "Mark Shaw of Then Jerico: Things I Have Learned About Pain". The Quietus. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  6. 1 2 Joanna Wilson (19 September 2003). "The return of Then Jerico". BBC News. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  7. 1 2 Discogs.com Mark Shaw page
  8. 1 2 "Then Jerico biography". Outside-org.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  9. 1 2 Discogs – Then Jerico... Mark Shaw Etc... – Alive & Exposed page
  10. 1 2 NME: Mark Shaw: Then Jerico | Step into The Light video recorded on a hot summer evening at The Grand Theatre, Clapham, London 1992. Available on the 'Alive & Exposed' album released in 2000
  11. ↑ The Brook: Then Jerico 80's Revivalists
  12. 1 2 "Then Jerico are back touring after 23 years". 10 May 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  13. ↑ RewindFestival Official website – Then Jerico page
  14. ↑ Atlantic Radio UK: Rewind Festival 2013 line-up announced
  15. ↑ North Somerset Times – Let’s Rock Bristol – article by Bethan Evans
  16. ↑ "Step Into The Light" (video)
  17. ↑ Let Her Fall video
  18. ↑ Sugar Box video
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