Then Jerico will embark on their highly anticipated ‘The Return’ tour, which will include just 4 UK dates at Birmingham, Liverpool, Oxford, and Islington O2 Academy venues.
Fronted by legendary founder member, lead singer, songwriter, and producer Mark Shaw, along with his three-piece band, they will perform all of the band’s hit singles, fan favourites and deep cuts from across their four studio albums.
Then Jerico first found fame in 1987 with the release of their debut album First (The Sound Of Music)‘. The record featured hit singles ‘Muscle Deep‘ and ‘The Motive‘ which remained in the UK Top 40 chart for three months, becoming the most-played record on BBC Radio 1 in 1987. The track brought Then Jerico worldwide recognition and saw them selling-out headline shows along with support tours with Iggy Pop and Propaganda, amongst others. Their follow-up album, ‘The Big Area‘, cemented their status as one of the greatest bands of the 1980s. Selling over 100,000 copies within the first 40 minutes of its release, ‘The Big Area‘ immediately attained Gold status and consequently reached Platinum sales. Promising a career spanning show as part of their limited ‘The Return’ UK Tour this Winter, tickets for Then Jerico are on sale now
I wanted to know more, so I interviewed Mark about the early years, the recording process and playing Liverpool.
Do you reflect on the past and the early years of the band in particular?
Yes, in 84, we had at the time 7 labels after us and we had only played around 6 or 7 shows. But we played the right shows and the right gigs. We played a gig at The Limelight club in New York – which was ‘the’ nightclub and when we played it was a new music seminar week. And The Jacksons did a PA there the night before to launch the Victory album. But they did not sing live, and we did. I blagged it to play there saying we were the best band in England. So, at the Seminar night we played in front of 1000 or so music industry people from around the world.
We played The Embassy Club and The Wag club in London – the press were onto it then and we arrived on the scene just after Spandau really – but we played rock, but that did not fit really because everyone was playing electric or soul. We were more U2 than anything else really.
We signed a deal and realised we did not have that many songs – we only had four! We then spent a year writing songs with Martin Rush – a hero of ours. And one of the tracks from the album London records would not release it – because it was deemed about Murdoch and Maxwell – but it was about the press really, but London records felt they could be sued. Murdoch had once said, “sometimes there is a thin line and sometimes there is no line between entertainment and news,” so I jumped on it, saying we are being lied to but I did not mention Maxwell personally.
So, our single was released on another label with Martin Rush and Pete Shelley, then it was huge, and London records wanted a slice of it! – so it rocketed up the indie charts. London records were indie as such and had the Bluebells on the label who were quite political which we liked. We kept touring and playing and worked with many producers including Steve Brown – but he and I realised – I was a producer! So London records kindly provided an engineer who was a genius. The album was released in ’86 with singles ‘Let Her Fall ‘Muscle Deep’ but they did not hit the Top 40. So, London records said we needed Top of The Pops or one more single that had to reach the charts or we drop you!
The Motive was released in 87, but Gallop accused London records of hyping – so they blocked and provided a handicap on records that week, so we went from top 40 to 42! I thought that was it, flew to New York to see my then wife as I landed I received a call to say Radio 1 are supporting it, the record had gone back up the charts! and I had to go back to London for Top of The Pops. The next day I went to do a front cover for Smash Hits – suddenly that was it – but I went back to America. And then the song was 38 to 18, but stalled there, but it was in the charts for 3 months
Your follow up album, The Big Area sold 100,000 in 40 minutes – which these days would be number 1 for weeks!
It went in at number 4 and we were chuffed! We released ‘Muscle Deep’ but radio 1 banned it – Music was a political platform for me but radio doesn’t like that approach – and the lyrics were deemed too much for radio. We kept doing radio and TV, it was a crazy time we had hundreds waiting for us at HMV on Oxford Street. It was so crazy – our feet did not touch the ground really.
You mention politics and lyrics and how labels can control – it is still happening now. I mean, I am a devoted Morrissey fan and Morrissey’s latest album has been left stranded for that reason, this surely is not fair on the artist, the audience etc.
Bonfire of Teenagers? I am a fan too Matt and agree with you – he tours, he records and he is so successful – he is huge, why is he accepted around the world but places like his own country or his own label do not. We as a band made symbolic gestures, and we used politics because we were enthusiastic. But it was not always received well.
Supporting Iggy Pop, you were a huge fan, what was that time like?
I was a huge fan of Iggy, Bowie, Marc Bolan, Ferry etc. As a solo artist – he is up there with the best and he is so nice, unless when he’s Iggy he is scary! when he’s James he is so nice! he came backstage on our first gig he offered so much support! I asked him if Bowie was coming to the gig, he said ‘you must be the singer – no” he is not coming down!” We were given so much abuse by hi audience when we supported because they were punks – but we won them around every time. We also supported INXS, that was a lesson in Rock and Roll their sound checks were better than our gigs. They could jam, and that would be an album for us! they were astonishing.
Is the writing process easier now or is it difficult and problematic… if problematic is the right word!
That sounds right to me! it is – I’ve always found it a lengthy process, I write in bursts. I have moved here and there, so I have lots of tapes and floor to ceiling but all in storage. I also find it hard to write alone. Recently I have found it easier to write as there is plenty to write about! My computer equipment is out of date and I need to update it too but my current living arrangements make it difficult to record too. But I have loads of ideas…
When you started your career, are you still friends with those on the scene?
Yes, so many,bands like Propaganda, Spandau, a band called Hard Rain – we are all friends, but we mainly see each other on the road. Nick Heyward, Carol Decker, and I pick up where we left it last. The retro fest is good for catch ups, I always see Martin Fry, Paul Young – Hue and Cry. But no one took a selfie because it is not our mindset!.
And playing Liverpool – are you looking forward to it!
I love playing Liverpool, the crowds are the best in the world – but I am always nervous as if you have not captured the audience in the first five minutes, they will tell you! We love bands, obviously Beatles, the Christians, Frankie – who are so lovely. I have had some full-on nights with bands from Liverpool! The Royal Court was our special venue – but you must up your game as you are aware of the history of such a great city
Thank you, Mark -very best wishes for the future!
Thanks Matt – hope to see you at the gig!
THEN JERICO – ‘THE RETURN’ 2024
29 Nov – London Islington O2 Academy – Tickets
30 Nov – Birmingham O2 Academy2 – Tickets
6 Dec – Liverpool O2 Academy – Tickets
7 Dec – Oxford O2 Academy – Tickets
READ MORE: MATT JACOBSON INTERVIEWS SINGER/SONGWRITER WENDY JAMES
