Jesus Jones is a band you have probably heard of, best known for hits in the UK, USA and Japan during the nineties.

Blending the driving force of punk guitar with liberal use of samples and dance rhythms, Jesus Jones is a perfect compliment for the Mi5 Recordings UK vision. Lead by singer/songwriter Mike Edwards, the group was formed in London, England, early in 1988, and was signed soon afterwards by Food Records. Liquidizer was an energetic debut that provided further UK hits with ‘Never Enough’ and ‘Bring It On Down’. ‘Doubt’ produced mainly by Edwards, saw the band inject a stronger commercial element. After six weeks at the top of the US alternative chart it entered the Billboard chart and in the UK it reached number 1. In the summer of 1991 the band, who had always kept up a busy live schedule, became part of a nucleus of young UK bands enjoying hits in the USA while still keeping the alternative British sound (the mixture of rap, dance and punk-inspired rock pioneered by bands such as Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, Pop Will Eat Itself, and Jesus Jones).

Jesus Jones have produced 5 albums to date which included numerous remixes and singles. ‘Right Here, Right Now’ was a major success, they found their abrasive pop suddenly popular within the USA’s generally conservative market. However, Mike Edwards’ music and lyrics are far from conservative. They are a reflection of personal moments in his life to world political events in Afghanistan.

Culture Vulture contains four completly new tracks and remix tracks so that fans can remix Culture Vulture themselves. Culture Vulture displays the rockier side of things, “it doesn’t sound like Jesus Jones as they expect us to sound. We’ve been out of the public eye so people still think of us in terms of ‘International Bright Young Thing’ but this is rockier, more 2004! It’s about popular culture being used as a way to get famous.” describes Mike Edwards

The band have a new release in the UK, their first new release for 7 years and second release from Mi5 Recordings UK, who’s independence and artist friendly approach compliments Jesus Jones music approach. Already there is a large number of interest from the media: BSkyB have already asked permission to use ‘Culture Vulture’ the title track on their programs, several music magazines have asked to do features on the band, as well as reviews, the radio station magazine Q Sheet has recorded an interview to be distributed around radio networks, Craig Charles interviewed Mike on the Breakfast Show on BBC6 on 15th April, they are also inline to appear on GMTV, and that’s before we start.

Over the last few years the band haven’t been idle with their own individual projects and as Jesus Jones a US release, UK Best of Album release, extensive US touring and the band have just returned from two large festivals in Japan which was filmed for Japanese National TV and will be aired during April. A UK tour is scheduled to take place later this year.

Jesus Jones ‘Culture Vulture’ MUK005
Release date 17/05/04 distributed by Cargo.