1991 - January: Jesus Jones ”Doubt”

A little alternative rock, a little electronica, the UK's Jesus Jones had a hit on their hands with their second studio album, Doubt.   It was recorded in 1990 and released in January 1991.

The band got their name when founders Mike Edwards (vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jerry DeBorg (guitar), and Ian Baker (keyboards) decided to form the band while vacationing in Spain.  They realized while sitting on the beach that they were three "Joneses" surrounded by a bunch of people named Jesus.

Jesus Jones achieved some success with their debut album, but things really took off with this second effort on the strength of the hit “Right Here, Right Now.” The album was written in the days of the fall of the Warsaw Pact, between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union.  These were incredibly optimistic times, and the music of the album reflects that positivity.    

Doubt reached number 25 on the US Billboard top 200, and it topped the UK charts.

Jesus Jones is still touring today, and all the original members are still together.

Join us on this exploration of a time when the future was bright and there was no other place we'd rather be.

Real Real Real This dance song was the first single off the album.  “Do you feel real?  If so, I'd like to know.”  The track takes its inspiration from a conversation that Edwards had questioning whether you can know if you are real or not.  The song peaked at number 4 and was a staple of dance clubs at the time.

Trust Me You might want to watch your speed if you're driving when this manic deeper cut comes on!  “Trust me, I know what I'm doing.  I don't do anything in half measures.”  Jump in the mosh pit!

Right Here Right Now This is the single that truly launched Jesus Jones into the stratosphere.  It was the most played song on college radio in 1991, and hit number 2 on the Billboard charts.  “I saw the decade in, when it seemed the world could change at the blink of an eye.”  The track epitomizes the feeling of optimism as communism ended and we were “watching the world wake up from history.”

International Bright Young Thing Get your dance shoes on.  This was the third single released from the album after “Real Real Real” and “Right Here Right Now.”  The track chronicles the band finding all these positive people around the world with similar thoughts about the future.  It was a top 10 hit in Britain.

 

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

The theme from the television series “Twin Peaks” The cult classic mystery series from David Lynch was on television in 1991.

 

STAFF PICKS:

Remember My Name  by House of Lords Brian starts off our staff picks with a power ballad from Connecticut-based House of Lords.  Gene Simmons discovered this band — former Angel members.  The band featured a number of guest musicians on this second album entitled “Sahara.”

Rocket O Love by The Knack In case you thought The Knack had finished their run in 1979…Bruce dispels the thought with this single from their fourth album “Serious Fun.” It was a top 10 hit for them in 1991.  Unfortunately they wouldn't get much more commercial or critical success, and A&R decided the shelve their second single. 

The Ballad of Jenny Ledge   by Toy Matinée Rob's staff pick takes a deep and prog rock turn from a short-lived group — and one of his favorites.  The song is loosely based on the girlfriend of Toy Matinée front man Kevin Gilbert.  Jenny Ledge enjoyed music as just another pleasure, but her boyfriend wanted her to take it more seriously.  Ledge winds up running off with an Elvis impersonator.

More  by The Sisters of Mercy Wayne finishes us off with a hard rocking 8-minute epic.  UK-native The Sisters of Mercy started in 1980 and has a Billy Idol feel with a "club" twist.  The group uses a drum machine instead of a drum set.  The Sisters of Mercy still tour and produce new music, but they don't release new music - you have to attend the concert to hear the new works. 

 

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Righteous by Eric Johnson This podcast concludes on another positive note with instrumentalist and guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.

Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.

Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!

**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.