Then Jerico

Then Jerico
Background information
Origin	London, UK
Genre	Rock
Years active	1985-present
Associated acts	Andy Taylor Belinda Carlisle SAS Band
Current members	Mark Shaw - vocals Scott Taylor - guitar Rob Downes - guitar Jasper Stainthorpe - bass Steve Wren - drums
Then Jerico with Andy Taylor
Musicians

Then Jerico is a British guitar-oriented London rock band, that have performed and recorded with Andy Taylor.

Career

Mark Shaw formed the band at age 21 in 1981. After several line up changes Shaw later recruited bassist Jasper Stainthorpe, drummer Steve Wren and guitarist Scott Taylor (ex-Belouis Some. In 1983 the unsigned band became the first ever live group to perform at the legendary nightclub The Limelight Club coinciding with the last night of the New Music Seminar in New York City attracting substantial interest from several major labels. Back home, after playing just 7 gigs and performing a live radio session with Captol Radio DJ Gary Crowley, the band were offered 6 record deals finally signing with London Records in August 1984. In 1985, the group recorded “The Big Sweep” with Martin Rushent at his Genetic Studios in Berkshire, but London Records refused to release the single due to it’s controversial lyrical subject matter (the press Barons Murdoch and Maxwell) incorrectly believing it to be litigious. As a result, the band released 1,000 copies as a limited edition 12” singles on the Immaculate label (owned by Rushent and The Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley) with a dance remix on the B-Side. The single reached No. 12 on the independent singles chart and London Records subsequently reissued "The Big Sweep" as a B-side on a later single.

Then Jerico's first real chart success came in early 1987 with the song "Muscle Deep". "The Motive" followed that single into the Top 40, as did the band's debut album, First (The Sound of Music). Then Jerico added second guitarist Rob Downes for their touring line-up and worked with Roxy Music producer Rhett Davies on their slicker-sounding 1989 sophomore album, The Big Area, which built on their previous success. The title track became the band's biggest hit, reaching no.13 on the UK charts, and the album which featured appearances by Belinda Carlisle and ex-Kajagoogoo bassist Nick Beggs went Top 5. Shaw released his debut solo album Almost featuring Andy Taylor in 1991, with Taylor later performing live shows with Then Jerico in 1994 (see Andy Taylor Shows).

In late 1994 Shaw began working on Then Jerico's Orgasmaphobia album with Andy Taylor.The album was entirely self financed and Shaw completed the album himself finally relaxing it in 1998 on Eagle Rock via his own Murder Records label. Shaw has since continued to play gigs with Then Jerico, as well as occasional shows with ex-Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley and the SAS Band, featuring a loose collection of '80s stars that includes Roger Taylor and Brian May of Queen, Paul Young, Madeline Bell, Paul Rogers, Jess Roden, Stevie Vann, Curtis Stiegers, Hadaway, Roger Chapman, and former Marillion vocalist Fish. plus a myriad of other internationally famous vocalists.

In March 2012, Shaw reformed The Big Area (Outside) line up for a reunion tour, performing together for the first time in 23 years to celebrate the release of double download compilation ‘Reprise’ on Warner Music / Rhino Records. The group subsequently disbanded and since 2014 Mark Shaw has continued to record and regularly perform live as Then Jerico with a different line up of musicians in his electric band, and also solo as Mark Shaw:Then Jerico and as an acoustic duo Then Jerico Acoustic. Shaw is the sole permanent member and the only original member and is currently performing live in 2024 in the U.K and in Europe and accros the world.

The band toured again in 2013 and after disbanding

Discography

Albums:

• First (The Sound of Music) (1987)
• The Big Area (1989)
• Orgasmaphobia (1998)
• Jewels In Time: Rarities & Unreleased Tracks (2012)
• Acoustic Live CD/DVD (TBC 2012)

Singles:

• "Muscle Deep" (1986)
• "Let Her Fall" (1987)
• "Prairie Rose" (1987)
• "The Motive (Living Without You)" (1987)
• "Muscle Deep" (1987)
• "Big Area" (1989)
• "What Does It Take" (1989) (featuring Belinda Carlisle)
• "Sugar Box" (1989)