Jellyfish -- The King is Half Undressed

[kukai888]

20 years ago....those days when this band came out I used to think it was cool to go out to the street dressed like them hahaha!!!! I didn't need a special event or a videoclip to wear that kind of clothes... :D

[darkstar3x16]

His stick is wet she's half undressed

And all in all they're both obsessed

o.o

[jeflynnenut]

A pinch of Beatles a taste of Zombies, a sprinkle of beach boys a spoon of Moody Blues, a healthy dollop of Crosby, Stills and Nash, and a nice healthy watering of early ELO!. And last but not least...... A fist full WHAT A SHAME!!!! The number of likes verses dislikes says it all! I remember that summer. I got MTV for the first time in Ireland and this was played constant! A great lil year and I was nuts about this! What went wrong? An awful shame! 

[johnbarry1965]

They look like they've escaped from HR Pufnstuf!

[Frisbieinstein]

That drum beat is stolen from Tomorrow Never Knows.

[JustOneMeatPuppet]

@Frisbieinstein well, you know, whatever, man. who cares?

[didokito]

@pehtounds aham , you're wrong sir , BLOODHOUND OWNED THE 90'S

[jazzhjazz]

Very Queen. Which is great. Listing this I can hear Freddy Mercury singing this.

[glammer]

@jazzhjazz

The first article I read about them quoted them as citing their influences ad Queen, Abba and Gilbert O'Sullivan.

[ThePsychicSasquatch]

One of the best bands ever to have existed. They shined brilliantly for a short time, then were gone.

[jazzhjazz]

@ThePsychicSasquatch I agree. But when you think about it. Sometimes that's best. They are way too talented and creative to be in today's awful market. Sometimes a flash is better than a thud.

[Guidi77]

One of the best songs from the 90´s!!

[BigFootprints]

These guys had a ton of originality and were super talented. It's one of those things that if you were lucky to catch, you will never forget.

[angrykittens987]

This is one of my favorite bands of all time and I still listen to both of their albums even after all of these years. Even saw them live after Bellybutton came out at the Coachhouse down in San Juan Capistrano, they are so amazing live!

[42Kissess]

'Why have I never heard this band before? LOVE IT

[evoyoga1]

My high school pals Andy (lead) and Roger...memba JellyFish?

[MrNatNick]

Saw them on a tiny stage in Albany, phenominal dynamics. No need to pump the drums, these guys sound just like they should...leave the audio steroids to crap like Winger.

[pethounds]

This band should have owned the 90s.

[djlowkey63]

@pethounds Yeah they should have and were quite promising at the moment but they were quickly upstaged by the grunge and rave movements.

[dkimuk]

Awesome, why were they not huge? SO much talent..........their songs are timeless.

[CassieTheAmazing]

@dkimuk : Bad timing....they were releasing their second album the same time Nirvana was releasing theirs and, as we all know, Nirvana's Nevermind triggered the mainstream grunge era. Instead of perfect harmonies and tight, well rehearsed music, everyone wanted to listen to static, feedback and scratchy vocals...pretty much the polar opposite of Jellyfish. Unfortunately for the world, their sound wasn't very 'in' at the time.

[dkimuk]

@CassieTheAmazing so true. Don't get me wrong, I like Nirvana and enjoyed the whole grunge era but this stuff will never date because it was never 'in' fashion. It was just what it was, superbly crafted music chock full of wit and imagination.

[BetamaxBabe]

Wow, this takes me back to being 12! I remember this video was hot stuff on MTV at the time.

[LMN8me]

Yeah...this stuff doesn't need remastering. Both Bellybutton and Spilt Milk were INCREDIBLE headphones albums. If the drums didn't punch for you Rays, you need new speakers.

Bands always fight in the studio. It's almost expected. :P Jellyfish was a vision from start to finish, and I can easily understand them firing engineers who very likely didn't share the same "vision". The Spilt Milk album will forever hold a place in my heart. I miss these guys. Though sturmer's still kickin.

[fenderbender91965]

A MEN!

[gtr1359]

did i hear ah ah's from white queen-clever!

[kennywowie]

raystrarack....more umph to the drums??? They sound huge. Maybe it' s your sound system. And Hootyhaha, it's NOT an insult to say they're underrated. Obviously, many recognize their greatness, but many haven't even heard of them. Perhaps the term "underrated" should be questioned. I mean it only as the highest compliment. " Under-exposed" might be a better term that will satisfy the both of us.

[kennywowie]

agreed...most underrated band ever.

[hootyhaha]

@kennywowie They're not underrated at all. That's actually an insult to them to say they are.

[thrillernight23]

i saw this band on mike portnoys T-shirt... and im hooked

[scriv888]

i'm massive fan of jellyfish it helped me through a break up please re-form

[hootyhaha]

@scriv888 Roger Manning Jr. has a myspace page he updates frequently. Myspace is still better than Facebook for bands, and movie makers.

[RetroVGamer]

One of the best bands of the 90's graced us with two masterful albums. Those fortunate enough to discover their magical treasure; were blessed with the gift of Enlightening Harmony. 

[hootyhaha]

@RetroVGamer I got the 4 CD box set that was released much later after their break up. They were working on a 3rd album. Tracks from that 3rd album that were mastered and "in the can" are in the box set. THEY ARE AMAZING. You can still find the box set on Ebay and other places.

[FlametopFred]

this stirs up angels and demons alike for me. Only Wilco's Summerteeth got me finally over the loss of Jellyfish. Shame bands on this level (of understanding) disintegrate. Bellybutton got me through a transitional period at very, very loud volume. Jellyfish + Wilco would be a match made only in music heaven. But I digress.

[noahspaceship]

I can't believe it's been 20 years since I wore out my first cassette of bellybutton. Still just as fresh and awesome as the first time I heard Jellyfish. The box set will be an investment all of us die hard fans need in our library. Andy, Roger, Jason,.. reunion? hehe

[inputmodule]

the band the world missed.

almost every song on both LP's are amazing examples of homage of the best 60-70's bands

i kinda like bellybutton best cause it's more simple pop perfection (especially Jason's playing)

but spilt milk makes my brain melt too

and they were amazing live

[alyu100tw]

Definitely underrated as hell for a band with such melodic songs. Spilt Milk is an album that never gets old.

[popnutty]

... so yah, your feeling is correct. They are very popular in smaller circles like say Japan!, and Europe but in America?! ..too big and divided.

[kravn4smore]

@popnutty thanks for responding

[kravn4smore]

This is a great band but why did these people not get famous? Was it because they were introduced at the wrong time? Were they too far ahead of their time? Did people just not like the Trippy video? please respond!

[popnutty]

@kravn4smore :Well... I'll give it a try. First, with Jellyfish you really can't just put your finger on it, it's a little tricky. On one hand they were very marketable, likeable, POPular band with simpler songs such as "New Mistake", "That is Why".. almost everything on their first record could've been played on the radio, then on the other hand it became more complicated with a lot of their songs being somewhat too obscure and complicated for most! Simply slightly ahead of the times

[FlametopFred]

@kravn4smore - - - I think yeah, couple things like that. Timing - - what were they in 1989-1990-1991? Remember that was just on the cusp of Guns'n'Roses and Nirvana. Band also fell apart from within ... they were everything right, but maybe just a smidge the wrong time. Argh. History is frickin' cruel.

[HentaiSan00]

oh no...drugs where never big in those days, the fashion proves it. (Sarcasm)

[kevbot71]

one of the most brilliant bands of the 90's!!!!!!!!!!!

[jonboygg]

It would be spiteful

To put jellyfish in a trifle.

[shawno66]

great band, goofey hat

[GuysSeriously]

He should've played the mad hatter xD

[CHHSE1986]

My friend asked me to go see Jellyfish at the Chestnut Caberet in Philly, opening up for Tears for Fears.... and I declined... I am kicking myself to this day...

[petebmi]

Interviewed this band in Detroit back in .... '91? Great guys, great music, the more I listen to the more I dig their stuff.... pick up the box set.

[petebmi]

Interviewed this band in Detroit back in .... '91? Great guys, great music, the more I listen to the more I dig their stuff.... pick up the box set.

[Zerrith]

One of the most underrated bands of all time.

[mrorlando33]

outstanding song and video

[shoobailey]

agreed! an unbelievably underrated band ... I was lucky enough to see them perform three times, and each time was better than the last. Too bad they burned out so quickly.

[treslank]

green day totally ripped this off with "extraordinary girl"....?

[thedukewestern]

Yes - Absolutely the most underated band ever!

[gemari77]

Nice!! I saw this video a couple of times in the early 90's.... and the melody has stayed in my head for the last 20 years....seeing the video now, it's exactly how I remembered it.

[popnutty]

It would be great to hear Roger do instrumental versions of all their hits. Maybe release it on CD someday. U know like with the Moog Cookbook thing he did years ago. I vaguely remember hearing Calling Sarah as an instrumental(in elevator music fashion)! on my friends laptop. where in the world did he pull that up from??

[amberina52]

oh man. I love this. <3

[messrocks89]

I love love love the drums. Fucking awesome, great pop song.

[divorceboy]

I cant believe they wrote and played the original MTV theme song?!

I never got a chance to see them. My loss!

[GreatFlamingPoop]

what spongebob song did the singer do?

[SwanDust]

Still a killer band... and DAMN they are smoking hot!

[Thejbirdy]

Billy Crudup, lead singer? LOL.

[yankee15]

Nope, Crispin Glover. LOL!!

[Thejbirdy]

@yankee15 Even better! Jaquin Phoenix! LOL.

[yankee15]

Definitely!! LOL

[badvock71]

Best part of 20 years since release and still stands up to some of the shite released today. Andy Sturmer is a legend and I would love to see this lot reform @Raystrack nice to see new people finding them buy their two albums i promise you won't be disappointed :)

[RaysTrack]

I've only just been introduced to this band - ths is outstanding and deserves to be remixed/mastered to bring more umph and life to the drums. The harmonies have shades of CSN, Queen and Beatles Abbey Road era - phenomenal!

[candelise]

@RaysTrack Queen, CSN, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Todd Rundgren and just about anyone else who understands the buliding blocks of harmony. Something rare these days.

[hootyhaha]

@RaysTrack There's already been a tribute. And, nothing needs to be done to the original tracks. They still use the original recordings to tune studios in LA it's such a well composed album. Both albums.

[drebatista]

@RaysTrack It's impossible to remix it... can't get better then this...they were more then perfectionists i guess on split milk they had more then ten engineers fired, the engineers in LA called " The nightmare on sunset strip" and from that record on, most of engineers use split milk to calibrate and check the studio speakers ..

Jellyfish, is just too good, the most underrated band ever.

[MrColbrot]

@RaysTrack hints of the "hollies" on babys back too...

[magicbard22]

JELLYFISH REUNITE!!!

[nahtanaj]

the best song of all times ....but thtats justmeee...

[popnutty]

@un4m3d4 :) But cleaner, vocally, and probably more inventive dooooing it.!

[thisisspinaltap]

i always think of alice in wonderland whenever i hear any of their songs, i dunno why. great band btw.

[taffy1967]

Great band, song and video, very retro psychedelic and much better than anything now.

[chaksheba]

I so remember going to there concert in California...It was the funnest time!!

[popnutty]

@chaksheba.. Was it at the Warfield in the Summer of 93'? July 19th to be exact! ..love, love Jellyfish style.. lalalalala.. I wish I still had that shirt!

[texformer]

Andy Sturmer sang some Sponge Bob song, and also sang the theme song for the latest Transformers Animated series. Roger Joseph Manning Jr. has a myspace site with brand new music on it.

[popnutty]

@texformer

Thank you so very much!! I'll take a listen.

[chaksheba]

@popnutty I saw them in a small club called The Edge =) they blew bubbles at us in the audience..=)

[careypeak23]

I was there. I screamed"I want everything!!". He said, I'll bet you do. Best concert I ever went too

[texformer]

Andy Sturmer sang some Sponge Bob song, and also sang the theme song for the latest Transformers Animated series.

[ram29jackson]

i've been trying to remember who this was so I could find it....I finally found it

[CopycatStudios]

...hats.

[pakkala888]

This group is/was amazing! I hate it when egos get in the way. I have a bunch of bootlegs by these guys. Never saw them live, but the live stuff translates so well!!!

[nahtanaj]

now b there

[popnutty]

I was thinking the drum part on this song is very reminiscent of "Tomorrow Never Knows" of the Beatles. It's a little obvious. Also you need to hear "Ignorance is Bliss" by Jellyfish then you'll know what I'm talking about.

[rayondrive]

Popnutty, good call. But, I believe, that Jellyfish would be the last to deny their influences. Rather, they wear them on them on their sleeve. One minute they're the Beatles, the next the Beach Boys, then Queen. They are a Waring blender of pop influences.

[docgonzales]

@popnutty ... also 'ticket to ride'.. a paul drum pattern nontherless

[popnutty]

@docgonzales Yup, true! Funny thing is, I've always thought that too until I heard "Tomorrow Never Knows". You think Paul wrote the drums on that song? Interesting.  I like that idea. I went through a heavy Paul phase at one time. Devoured everything he did, post Beatles and all.

[popnutty]

It's trippy-Psychedelic type Beatles.. meets Queen/ Beach Boys/ and the Partridge Family. Then on top of that you have this sort of Looney Tunes theme or cartoon-like theme child like(sweet!) All of a sudden they don't sound like anyone else. Now they sound like Jellyfish!

[jaleenarox]

is this the band that Josh Ramsay from Marianas Trench listening to when he was younger?

[DavoBowRowe]

great track, jellyfish wouldve been huge if the members had gotten along better

[fisharegood]

got to see these guys a million years ago at the Blue Note in Columbia, Mo and it remains as one of the top 5 shows i've seen. Outstanding songwriting.

[sonaiyasmom]

this was one of those videos i saw ONCE on mtv really late at night ... and after that, i was constantly WISHING it would come on again, but it never did! the song and video are trippy, in a good way ...

[HumanityIsFailing]

I love these guys. Truly one of the best of the 90s but the thing is that every time I actually see them I want to kick their collective asses. I just can't stand looking at them. They dress like every jerk off look at me loser kid I couldn't stand when I was growing up. I know its dumb. But thats the way it is.

[popnutty]

and you love these guys????!!!!!! Dude you're either "in" or you're "out" You like them, or you hate them,.. this time there's no middle! Be true.

[GreenHouseGirl101]

This song is so cool. Shame the band broke up.

[MUDSHARK111]

When I win the lottery im going to pay jellyfish millions to make a new cd .and if they refuse im going to pay millions to have them whacked. there choice.

[leocook67]

had the second album---called it the pink album---very good

[fisharegood]

you mean "Spilt Milk"? Yeah, it really is great.

[NameCC8687]

Thanks for posting this - I bought the album back at art college in 1991 due to this track and subsequently thought they were brilliant, and going to stick around for a while. Think they only did two albums, but what they produced has lasted well.

[brinsleysgirl1980]

They were great. Saw them in concert in NYC and they were amazing. Andy was a great lead singer and very very funny commenting after every song. Wish they would get back together!

[popnutty]

Sorry, Doug Sax did the Mastering on Spilt Milk while Puig and Galuten produced. Puig engineered. In related news, they also did The Grays.

[Luvanicebum]

I saw these guys back in 1990, Frankfurt, Germany.

They were so tight and good it blew me away.

These guys were on par with any great band, Queen, Asia, Beatles hands down.

[TRULYMORTAL]

I used to listen to this album so much when it first came out! I absolutely loved it! Jellyfish were more Beatle-esque than the Beatles themselves after so long. Even though I didn't care for their '60's' dress style I absolutely loved their music! I always will! I agree the whole album was/is great! Did they never did come out with a video for Bedspring Kiss?

[sweetfly66]

Can anyone confirm that Ringo produced this record ? I heard he did .

[popnutty]

No, he didn't. Alby Galuten(Bee Gees) and I think Jack Joseph Puig produced it, and I think, along with co-producers: Manning/Sturmer.... Doug Sax engineered it! This man has done Poco's "Crazy Eyes" album among others. Jellyfish got hooked up with some legendary talent!

[TheGedye]

The WHOLE album was/is awesome.

Would be nice to see them again :D

[pantanki]

Such a shame we didnt get to see more from this band

[TheDelberta]

i really enjoy these guys

[pontello3]

super band!

but not very lucky

really underestimated

[popomatic1970]

They were an amazing band, very talented musicians, and incredibly nice guys as well. I saw them at least a half-dozen times in the years they were recording and touring and they never put on a bad show.

[asil4370]

I don't get it. Why take the video off when the band is no longer around? Why not share the memories with everyone else?

[chyrd]

record company made a HUGE mistake not promoting this band.... these guys were awesome

[Seadee]

This was a pet project of the label president, you can bet we did everything for this band at this time (I was a promo rep). They still are one of my all-time favs, and I had a blast hanging with them. I was just as dissappointed as you they didn't break thru.

[zephead718]

Wow..cant believe I found this song..LOVE IT!! never though Id hear it again!! anyway...anybody else think he looks like DENNIS LEARY (RESCUE ME) ????? LOL !!

[briczar22]

AWESOME!

[Caleeboy123]

reminds me of material issue. i want one of those hats!!

[lordthanator]

it's called a "top hat"

[popnutty]

They really allowed their music to "breath" as a opposed to the bands that supposedly "generally" sound like, i.e... XTC! There arrangement skills and songwriting chops were done with "taste" but I can see where the XTC comparisons may come in to play, a general one but acceptable.

[powerface71]

A genius band that never received the proper exposure. They are remarkable, absolutely blissful music! Bloody brilliant!

[SullenMorbius]

Great song!

[DevilFish69]

The guy juggling, looks like William Shakespeare.

[FullOut]

Soooooooo gooooooood

[OnThe54]

OMG! Jason Falkner was so adorable in this clip! Amazing song.

[popnutty]

Unsung hero!

[bds1167]

right on, dby.....,.!!!!!

[dbykillstheradiostar]

pookiestockie1

Your a moron, no contest! HOW does Andy Sturmer sound ANYTHING remotely like Marc Bolin? Why are people fanatical about them? Heres why schmuck, NOONE since has such a beautiful sound with great hooks, melodies, choruses, their timeless! I despise the whole "hippie" thing, and its funny how they at least did it well as for the image!

Andy is like an enigma, this band came along made 2 records and kind of dissappeared but left a mark that NOONE else will ever duplicate!

[Abomonog666]

I endorse this message. Jellyfish are incredible, pookiestokie1 should invest in Q-tips.

[popnutty]

OMG you're right!! I've never noticed that before and I've seen this video many times in the past and present. Thanks for pointing that out!

[pookiestockie1]

I do not see what people see in this song or this band?!? Why would someone be fanatical about this boring, corny, fake T-Rex looking dork? And HOW THE HELL could anyone even compare them to XTC, which drubs them across the board?

[pandr0s0]

if u ar fan of XTC and don´t like this band or this song i really understand, u dont really have a brain who understand music, u only hear crap and apreciate only what tv tells u to, believe me u´ll never know what music is,

[popnutty]

Is there something wrong with you? Seriously, how could you not even appreciate or admire what these guys do. It must be your envy that you have toward them. I agree with your XTC comment though, Jellyfish is way more polished,clean, and well.. just better, melody and songcraft and don't sound anything alike. So yeah I agree wit you there, LMFAO!

[antidote7]

Well, one would like it because of the great song writing, wonderful harmonies, content of the words etc...

[bds1167]

You are an ass.... 'Spilt Milk' trumps anything XTC has produced.... It' one of the best songs EVER.... period.

[popnutty]

Totally agree!! I got harrassed for sticking my nose in on an XTC vid: This Is Pop. Of course, what do I expect right? but I'm glad to see someone else feels the same as I on Jellyfish and XTC.

[popnutty]

Does anybody understand the symbolism going on here? What's up with Andy's hand going in and out of his sleeves?  Or how about Roger doing the hula hoop while blowing bubbles. The whole thing is a bit twisted. Crazy stuff!

[CaptPlaceholder]

His hand goes out of his sleeve because it then comes out of the hat and plays the tambourine.

[digitamer139]

mesmerising ,hypnotyzing, amazing ,lovely,classic,

well its my

ADDICTION!!!

[JNugent74]

glad you posted this. classic.

[popnutty]

Music and lyrics are so damn alluring hooking the listener into a trance of hypnotic proportions! How does it make you feel?...

[JMIRULEZ]

This is and always will be my all time favorite song :)

[furox1973]

I agree 100%. This song turned a metal head into a Jellyfish head. Wish they would re-unite.

[popnutty]

I know, Jellyfish had a way of appealing to most, my friend also; a metal, thrash guy but really liked them too. I'm still scratching my head at that one. Cool to watch and hear Roger's signature bah bah bahs and bells bells bells. Their vocal work always sweeps me off my feet! Please reunite!

[cackermuffin]

the Later... version of 'the ghost at number one' is just.... ASTOUNDING!!!! the harmonies!!!!!!!!!

[bds1167]

these dudes kicked ass back in '90 and '93!!!!! I love Jellyfish to this day!!!!

[CornellWolf]

The guy with the Green hat is cute. I gotta learn these guys names. I'm a new fan.

[danielion999]

I remember thinking when this song came out that it would be an instant classic...it was to me. You saw it promoted everywhere, but the neo-psycodelic thing just didn't take...I loved it though.

[Danty64]

Man I had totally forgotten about this band. I can vaguely remember seeing this video years ago on TV.

Great song. Great band. As usual Australian radio ignores yet another first class act.

Thanks to DKPete and Spiritual Architect from Amazon Rock forums for leading me here and rediscovering music worth listening to.

Cheers Dan.

[ALPHAJUS]

One of the most overlooked bands in history The Beatles + Queen = Jellyfish!

[shelly90ca]

i like it :)

but he seriously remind me of a lord of the rings character :S

[55jellyfish]

Same here, zacandtaylorrule --I was managing a Record Town in 1992, and the store got Spilt Milk as a free promo CD, and I LOVED it!!! I always describe them as a cross between Queen and the Partridge Family. Unless you are a TRUE music person, you will never 'get' them. They were genius. ANDY, COME BACK!!!

[zingblingding]

Jellyfish are the soundtrack to Brian Wilson's dreams - the way he wanted to go after Good Vibrations.....

If I loved the Js much more than I do, they'd have to lock me up.

Thank God I've got the Fan Club 4 CD set locked in a bank vault!

[bds1167]

Here Here brother!!! You nailed it!

[popnutty]

OMG!! Totally.. listen to their Smiley album and hear the similarities.

[loafpork]

Part of that amazing explosion of great bands from the early 90s. It's a shame they only made 2 records.

[willow232]

only just discovered this band. they are amazing!!!!! :)

[zingblingding]

This is one of those somgs that you hear for the first time and go "bloody hell, where did this come from?"

1000 listens later the reaction is still the same: where the bloody hell did this song come from?

How much do I love Jellyfish? More than I can put into words.

[Bowler6611]

I say they were the "Panic At The Disco" of the 80's, at least with this song & vid

[BasketClash]

Except Jellyfish makes good music.

[probos1]

Puleeeeze,....Panic At The Disco is hack, dumb-downed version of Jellyfish at best.

[slighe39]

Classic, and they played it perfectly note for note live as well, but with even more energy. First time I saw this was late at night and I had to wake up my roommate and drag him out to see it, we were both hooked and instant fans.

[ammie72]

this for me is my college days!!!!

[zacandtaylorrule]

I love this band. I got into them because when I started working in a Sam Goody in 92 Spilt Milk came out and we played it a lot in the store. This band is probably one of the most underated bands in history. I still cannot figure out why they never made it big.

[geekneek]

lets trip on the bubbles ohhhhhh ... where did they find those clothes

[bobgrantsbus]

Great song from a group sorely missed.

[bds1167]

Spilt Milk...the BEST ALBUM EVAR. The Charlatans UK and The Ocean Blue were out around this time as well. Jellyfish and those guys were a great little snippet in the late '80's, early '90's while grunge was making it's (thank God) short mark in rock.

[rootbeeris]

this sounds like love (the band)

[bullstaff72]

i loved this record ive forgotton until right now ,icouldnt find it (lol) on music dl sites im so crap with pcs