Reef: The British Hard Rock Band of the 1990s

Reef is a British hard rock band that emerged from Glastonbury in the early 1990s, blending bluesy swagger with a robust, anthemic sound. The group achieved significant commercial success in the UK, where their debut album went platinum and spawned several enduring rock radio hits.

Early Career

Formed in 1993, Reef originated from the musical hotbed of Glastonbury, England. The band's original lineup consisted of Gary Stringer on vocals, Kenwyn House on guitar, Jack Bessant on bass, and Dominic Greensmith on drums, developing their gritty, soul-inflected rock sound through relentless touring on the UK club circuit.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came with their 1995 debut album, Replenish, released on the Sony Music imprint S2 Records. The album was propelled by the success of the single "Good Feeling," which reached the UK Top 20, and eventually achieved Platinum certification in the UK, selling over 300,000 copies and firmly establishing Reef in the British rock scene.

Key Tracks

Good Feeling - This breakthrough single from their debut album defined their early sound and became a staple on UK rock radio.

Place Your Hands - Arguably their most iconic song, this track from their second album became a massive chart hit and a perennial festival anthem.

Come Back Brighter - A key track that showcases the band's ability to merge melodic hooks with their signature hard rock groove.

Yer Old - This song exemplifies the heavier, blues-rock side of the band's repertoire from their successful second album.

The success of Replenish was followed by their 1997 sophomore effort, Glow, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold. The band continued to record and tour into the early 2000s, releasing further albums before an initial hiatus. Reef reformed in the 2010s, returning to touring and releasing new music, demonstrating the lasting appeal of their direct, energetic brand of British hard rock.

Artists with a similar blues-rock and hard rock style from the same era and region include The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, and Skin.