Reef
All Artists
Rock / Britpop

Reef

Place Your Hands is one of the great British rock singles. Reef were one of the era's most underrated bands.

Street, Somerset, EnglandFormed 1993Active

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Biography

Reef

Reef formed in Street, Somerset in 1993, Gary Stringer's powerful vocals and Kenwyn House's guitar work giving the band a sound that was more rooted in classic rock and blues than most of their Britpop contemporaries. They signed to Sony and released their debut 'Replenish' (1995) — a raw, energetic record that established them as one of the most exciting live acts in Britain.

'Glow' (1997) was the commercial breakthrough — 'Place Your Hands' became one of the most recognisable British rock singles of the decade, its gospel-influenced chorus and driving guitar riff making it an instant classic. The album reached number one. Reef were briefly one of the biggest rock bands in Britain.

The follow-up albums were less commercially successful, and the band split in 2003. They reformed in 2010 and have continued to tour, their live shows remaining among the most energetic on the circuit. 'Revelation' (2018) was a strong comeback album. Stringer's voice has only improved with age.

Discography

The Albums

Replenish

1995

Sony S2

The debut. Raw, energetic, blues-influenced rock. Naked shows the range.

Glow

1997

Sony S2

Number one album. Place Your Hands is one of the great British rock singles.

Rides

1999

Sony S2

A more polished sound. New Bird is one of their most underrated songs.

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