The Story of Iain Baker and Jesus Jones

If you were tuned into the airwaves in the early ‘90s, chances are the infectious beats of Right Here, Right Now were on heavy rotation. That global hit, alongside other anthems like Real Real Real and International Bright Young Thing, catapulted British alternative rock band Jesus Jones into the international spotlight. At the heart of their sound was keyboardist and programmer Iain Baker, whose electronic wizardry helped shape the band’s genre-bending blend of rock, dance, and techno.

Formed in 1988, Jesus Jones emerged as one of the pioneering bands to fuse rock with rave culture, making them both revolutionary and radio-friendly. With Iain Baker’s driving electronic influence, they quickly carved out a unique space in the music scene — and found massive commercial success, especially with their 1991 album Doubt.

But, like many bands that blaze brightly, the path forward wasn’t always smooth.

In a recent episode of The Celeb Savant podcast, Barret Edelstein sat down with Iain Baker for a candid conversation about the highs and lows of fame, and what came next when the music industry decided to move on.

Iain recounted how Jesus Jones were dropped by their record label — a move that might have spelled the end for many bands. But for Iain and the group, it was a surprising gift in disguise. Suddenly free from the pressures of commercial expectations, the band found themselves with space to breathe and create on their own terms.

“It was actually liberating,” Iain shared. “We were able to return to what we loved about music in the first place — the pure joy of making it. No deadlines. No gatekeepers. Just us and the sound.”

This newfound independence lit a creative fire within the band. Without the shadow of the mainstream industry looming over them, they were able to flourish artistically. They released music on their own terms, connected directly with their loyal fan base, and explored sounds they might never have risked under a major label’s microscope.

In a world where so many artists are driven by chart positions and industry validation, the Jesus Jones story is a refreshing reminder that sometimes the end of one chapter is just the beginning of a more fulfilling one.

Listen to the full conversation between Barret Edelstein and Iain Baker