Jadis

Jadis are a British progressive rock band from Southampton, United Kingdom. They form in 1982 and work in the neo-progressive rock and progressive rock styles. The band records on Jadismusic.

Formation and early line-up

The group begins with Gary Chandler on vocals and guitar, Les Marshall on guitar, Trevor Dawkins on bass and Mark Ridout on drums. Marshall and Ridout both have prior links with Lens. In its early years, the line-up changes several times, with Chandler and Dawkins remaining the constant members. Chandler also works as a guitar roadie for IQ, and the band develops a close connection with IQ from the outset.

Demonstrations, debut release and live activity

Jadis issues its first demo tape, Baboon Enquiries, in 1984. More demo tapes follow through the late 1980s. From 1987 to the 1989 split, the band is produced by Steve Rothery of Marillion. At that point the regular line-up includes Chandler, Dawkins, Pete Salmon on keyboards and Mark Law on drums. In 1989 the band releases a self-titled eight-track vinyl record, largely made up of earlier demo material, and a concert video shot at the Marquee.

Reformation and album releases

After the split, Pete Salmon and Mark Law form Ultraworld. Chandler reforms Jadis in June 1990 with Steve Christley on drums, Nick May on bass and Martin Orford of IQ on keyboards and backing vocals. During the recording of More Than Meets The Eye in 1992, May is replaced by John Jowitt, formerly of Ark and a bass player with IQ. Gary Chandler writes most of the music and lyrics, although the group shares songwriting credit.

Later changes and continuing line-up

In the mid-1990s, Orford and Jowitt leave and are replaced by Mike Torr on keyboards and Steve Hunt on bass. Both later return after Torr misses a gig and Hunt does not fit Chandler’s strict expectations around sobriety and drug use at performances. After Photoplay is completed in 2006, Orford leaves again because of musical differences. Giulio Risi then joins on a session basis rather than as a full member. Jowitt also leaves, and Andy Marlow takes over on bass. In live performance, the band is accompanied by Steve Thorne on guitar and vocals.

Recordings and discography

Jadis releases a long sequence of demos, albums, EPs, a DVD and later archive material. Key releases include More Than Meets The Eye, Once Upon A Time, Across The Water, Once Or Twice, Somersault, As Daylight Fades, Understand, Alive Outside, Fanatic, View From Above, Medium Rare, Photoplay, See Right Through You, No Fear of Looking Down, No Sacrifice, There Are No Words......, Medium Rare II, Back In The Day (Demos), and More Questions Than Answers. Their 1989 self-titled vinyl release and the concert video Live At The Marquee 18-02-1989 also form part of the catalogue. Several later editions and remasters appear, including a 25th anniversary edition of More Than Meets The Eye.