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The Jesus and Mary Chain wrapped sweet 1960s pop melodies in walls of feedback, and changed the sound of indie music. Formed in East Kilbride, Scotland, in 1983 by brothers Jim and William Reid, they caused a sensation with their 1985 debut Psychocandy. They are a noise pop and alternative rock band, with post-punk and shoegaze influences.
| Formed | 1983, East Kilbride, Scotland |
| Founders | Jim Reid (vocals), William Reid (guitar, vocals) |
| Active | 1983–1999, 2007–present |
| Genres | Noise pop, alternative rock, post-punk, shoegaze |
| Labels | Creation, Blanco y Negro, Fuzz Club |
| Latest album | Glasgow Eyes (2024) |
Jim and William Reid formed the band in East Kilbride in 1983. Their first single, “Upside Down”, came out on Creation Records in 1984, and early shows were famous for being short, loud and chaotic. Bobby Gillespie, later of Primal Scream, played drums on Psychocandy.
The Mary Chain’s trick was contrast: simple, catchy songs drenched in screeching feedback and distortion. Later records such as Darklands dialed the noise down and let the melodies shine.
The Reid brothers write the songs together, and their famously stormy relationship split the band in 1999. They reunited in 2007, released Damage and Joy in 2017 and returned with Glasgow Eyes in March 2024.
Psychocandy is one of the most influential debut albums in indie music, and its noise-meets-melody approach paved the way for shoegaze. “Just Like Honey” found a new audience in the 2003 film Lost in Translation.
The feedback-drenched debut, with “Just Like Honey”, “Never Understand” and “You Trip Me Up”.
A quieter, darker record, with “April Skies” and “Happy When It Rains”.
With “Head On” and “Reverence”.
With “Sometimes Always”, a duet with Hope Sandoval.
The reunion-era albums.
These The Jesus and Mary Chain songs are on our charts and lists:
My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth, Primal Scream, The Stone Roses, Slowdive and The Black Keys.
The Jesus and Mary Chain are a noise pop and alternative rock band, with post-punk and shoegaze influences.
East Kilbride, Scotland. Brothers Jim and William Reid formed the band there in 1983.
“Just Like Honey” (1985), from Psychocandy.
Yes. They reunited in 2007 and released Glasgow Eyes in 2024.
Bobby Gillespie, who went on to lead Primal Scream.
The Jesus and Mary Chain bring the noise-pop side of ’80s indie to our playlist. Catch it on The Modern Rock Radio Show, check the radio show schedule, or press play on the live stream. Want a specific song? Send a request or dedication.
About this article: Written and fact-checked by The Alternative One editorial team. Last reviewed November 4, 2026. Read our editorial standards or tell us about a correction.
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