Delirious?

Delirious?

Company type	Music group
Industry	Music
Founded	1992
Founder	Martin Smith, Tim Jupp
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Contemporary Christian music, Christian rock

Delirious? (initially known as The Cutting Edge Band) was a British contemporary Christian music group. The primary members consisted of Martin Smith (lead vocals, guitar), Stu G (Stuart Garrard, guitar, backing vocals), Jon Thatcher (bass guitar), Tim Jupp (keyboards, piano), and Stew Smith (drums, percussion). Paul Evans took over drumming duties from Stew Smith during the band's last two years.

Their 1994 composition "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" has become a staple within modern worship music. Other significant songs include "Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble?", "Rain Down", and "Majesty".

Between 1992 and 1996, while operating as The Cutting Edge Band, the group experienced multiple lineup changes before settling on a consistent roster and transitioning to the name Delirious?. From 1997 through 2001, they pursued mainstream audiences and secured several UK singles within the top twenty charts. From 2003 until 2009, their focus shifted back toward contemporary Christian music, though they continued to release singles intermittently.

In their later phase, Delirious? incorporated humanitarian messages into their work; notably, Martin Smith and Stu G established charitable organizations. Drummer Stew Smith departed in April 2008, and by July of the same year, the band declared an indefinite break. Their farewell performance took place in November 2009.

Formation: The Cutting Edge Band Era (1992–1996)

The origins of Delirious? trace back to 1992 when they formed as The Cutting Edge Band to provide worship music for a youth outreach program named "Cutting Edge," organized by Arun Community Church in Littlehampton, West Sussex. Tim Jupp and Martin Smith, who met while employed at a recording studio, initiated the band. Initially led by Jupp—who had previously released an instrumental album titled "Hooked On Ishmael"—alongside youth worker and drummer Stew Smith, the lineup featured various musicians rotating on guitar and bass roles. The outreach events rapidly grew in popularity, expanding to monthly sessions held in Portsmouth and Southampton. While Portsmouth's gatherings lasted about a year, Southampton’s Central Hall hosted them for three years, drawing crowds up to 1,200 attendees each month.

Acting as the resident band for Cutting Edge events, they began distributing cassette recordings of their music. Increasing demand necessitated larger venues and ticket charges to control attendance numbers. In 1996, an outdoor event near Littlehampton beach attracted approximately 4,000 people and was recorded by Channel 4.

Utilizing their expertise in recording engineering, Martin Smith and Tim Jupp produced material that steadily gained traction. The ensemble became more stable with Stu G joining on guitar after their debut EP and Jon Thatcher securing the bass position by the fourth release titled Cutting Edge Fore. Under the Cutting Edge banner, four EPs were issued alongside a solo EP from Stu Garrard featuring full band participation. This period saw the creation of many of their hallmark songs such as I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever, Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?, and Lord, You Have My Heart. By 1996, mail-order sales of these EPs exceeded 70,000 copies. These recordings were later compiled into two albums released in the UK and a double album for the US market; one similar compilation also attained Gold certification in Canada.

Transition to full-time band: King of Fools & initial breakthrough (1997–1998)

A defining event took place in 1995 when Martin Smith, alongside his wife Anna and Jon Thatcher, was involved in a severe car accident. While Anna and Jon escaped without injury, Martin endured multiple fractures, requiring several weeks of hospitalization. During his recovery, Smith battled depression but ultimately resolved to dedicate himself entirely to music, which led to the conceptual foundation of Delirious?. The group officially adopted the Delirious? name in January 1996 and commenced work on their forthcoming album.

Delirious? achieved notable mainstream recognition in 1997 with the launch of King of Fools, their debut studio album under the new moniker. The record attained Silver certification in the UK, solidifying Delirious? as a prominent Christian rock entity across both UK and US audiences. Songs such as "Deeper" became staples at Christian youth gatherings. The band charted four singles on the UK mainstream listings—"White Ribbon Day," "Deeper" (released twice), and "Promise"—with "Deeper" and "Promise" each reaching number twenty despite minimal radio exposure. "Deeper" emerged as their best-selling single, moving over 30,000 units. Additionally, the album featured "History Maker", a signature anthem frequently performed live and reissued as a successful UK single in 2010.

In mid-1997, Stewart Smith and his wife endured a miscarriage, which inspired the track "Summer of Love" included on the "DeEPer EP", a re-release of the "Deeper" single that climbed to number thirty-six on the UK charts.

The band secured a contract with EMI for UK distribution and arranged partnerships with Virgin and Sparrow Records to handle releases across both secular and Christian markets in the US.

The triumph of King of Fools empowered Delirious? to embark on their inaugural full-scale UK tour, dubbed 'd:tour', in 1997. Rejecting traditional opening acts, they incorporated a DJ alongside elaborate visual production into their shows. In 1998, they unveiled their second live album, d:tour, recorded at Southampton Guildhall during the tour’s final evening, featuring material from King of Fools as well as earlier Cutting Edge songs.

Initial mainstream expansion: Mezzamorphis & Glo (1999–2000)

Following a brief pause, the 1999 release Mezzamorphis reached number 25 on the UK mainstream album charts (and number two within independent rankings), earning Silver certification domestically. Although critically praised, the band encountered challenges breaking into mainstream markets due to their association with Christian music. This album was crafted with a secular audience in mind, prompting some longtime fans to accuse Delirious? of abandoning their roots.

Multiple singles from Mezzamorphis made an impact on British charts. The lead single, "See The Star", peaked at number sixteen following an appearance on The Big Breakfast. Despite its chart success, this choice sparked debate as it was regarded by some as one of the weaker selections. The follow-up single, "It's OK", reached number eighteen. In the United States, "Gravity" was promoted as the primary radio single.

In 2000, Delirious? released Glo (an abbreviation for glorious), which remained their best-selling album for eight months. Several non-single tracks gained traction within Christian music circles, particularly "My Glorious" and "Jesus' Blood." The song "Investigate" became a staple during live performances. That year also saw them touring across the US and drawing an audience of 55,000 at the Creation Festival.

Second major mainstream effort: Audio Lessonover? (2001–2002)

The 2001 release of Audio Lessonover?—its title cleverly an anagram of 'Radio One Loves Us'—represented Delirious?'s renewed push into the mainstream. Under the production of Chuck Zwicky, known for his work with Semisonic and Madonna, the album adopted a more minimalistic approach compared to the band's previously intricate soundscapes. Although the recording process was fraught with tension, it ultimately broadened the group’s musical capabilities. The lead single, "Waiting For The Summer," peaked at number twenty-six on the charts but was hampered by limited radio exposure, which contributed to the abandonment of the planned follow-up single, "Take Me Away." Both critical reception and sales figures fell short when measured against earlier projects.

Critics once again accused the band of compromising their artistic integrity in favor of commercial appeal. During this period, Delirious? supported major acts such as Bon Jovi and Matchbox Twenty on extensive tours.

In early 2002, Delirious? unveiled their inaugural compilation album, Deeper, a two-disc set combining remastered hits with selections from Glo and King of Fools, alongside updated versions of songs from their Cutting Edge era and a new track titled "Not Forgotten." Later that year, Audio Lessonover? was reimagined for the North American audience as Touch, which also saw release in the UK. Certain editions featured an additional disc containing live recordings that were subsequently included in their live album. The year concluded with the launch of Access:D, a special two-disc compilation encompassing tracks from five studio albums—including Touch—presented in a distinctive tin package.

Reconnecting with origins: Post-mainstream 'trilogy' phase (2003–early 2008)

In 2003, Delirious? issued World Service, initiating what guitarist Stu G described as a thematic 'trilogy'. While embracing a more worship-focused direction, the band aimed at expanding their presence in Germany through singles like "Inside Outside" and "Every Little Thing." The track "Inside Outside" achieved sales exceeding 12,000 units, topped the charts of German radio station SWR3, and remained on Germany’s singles charts for seven weeks, reaching number seventy-two. Additionally, two free MP3 releases on mp3.com—"Majesty (Here I Am)" and "Rain Down"—dominated Guitar Rock’s download charts and accumulated over half a million streams and downloads within fifty days. World Service also resonated in both UK and US markets, with "Rain Down" becoming their most successful multi-format American single since "Deeper."

In 2005, longtime manager Tony Patoto departed to explore new ventures, with keyboardist Tim Jupp stepping into the management role. That year saw the release of their sixth studio album, The Mission Bell, which garnered favorable critiques from outlets including Christianity Today, Jesus Freak Hideout, and Cross Rhythms, all commending its innovative sound. The single "Paint The Town Red" entered the UK charts at number fifty-six. Multiple singles from the album dominated UK CrossRhythms radio playlists for extended periods. Furthermore, The Mission Bell earned a nomination for Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the May 2007 Dove Awards.

By 2007, Delirious? recorded Kingdom of Comfort with producer Sam Gibson, releasing it internationally in April 2008 alongside a revamped website. The album’s lead single was God Is Smiling.

Retirement (mid-2008–2009)

Prior to the launch of Kingdom of Comfort, longtime drummer Stew Smith declared his departure in April 2008. His final contribution was featured on the live album and DVD Unidos, a joint project with André Valadão, which saw release in multiple countries but not in the UK. Smith’s last live appearance with the group took place in Sydney, Australia. His leaving almost caused the band to disband, yet he motivated them to carry on. Paul Evans, who had previously filled in for Smith during a US tour, was appointed as the new drummer in May.

On 6 July 2008, the band revealed plans to "pause" their activities at the close of 2009 to prioritize personal matters. Martin Smith emphasized his wish to spend additional time with family and to devote energy to the CompassionArt initiative.

Nevertheless, they issued the second single from Kingdom of Comfort, "Love Will Find A Way," in the UK in November. The track entered the charts at number thirty but fell to fifty-five within one week.

In 2009, Delirious? released another live album and DVD titled My Soul Sings, recorded during a concert in Colombia. Additionally, a Greatest Hits collection called History Makers was released that November.

The band wrapped up their career with a farewell tour across Europe concluding late in 2009. Their final performance was a sold-out event at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on 29 November 2009, which included a guest appearance by Stew Smith alongside Paul Evans.

Post retirement (2010–present)

The extensive three-and-a-half-hour farewell concert was captured for a live album, DVD, and Blu-ray set named Farewell Show - Live In London, which was released in April 2010.

In February 2010, a Facebook campaign sought to propel History Maker back into the UK charts for Easter. As a result, the live album version was issued as a single on 28 March 2010. Both renditions reached numbers 3 and 21 respectively on the iTunes Store during that week, with combined sales positioning the single at number 6 in the midweek charts dated 31 March 2010. The single ultimately peaked at number four on the Official Singles chart by 4 April 2010 and secured the top spot on the UK Indie Singles Chart.

After disbanding in November 2009, members embarked on new ventures. Lead vocalist Martin Smith concentrated on the Compassionart project, which played a significant role in their decision to part ways. In February 2011, Smith published an autobiography titled Delirious, accompanied by a similar memoir from his wife Anna offering an alternative view on the band's journey. He remains active in songwriting and worship leadership internationally and has hinted at future recording and touring through a new website.

Keyboardist Tim Jupp has been engaged with The Big Church Day Out Festival, an annual Christian music festival held in West Sussex, England. Delirious? headlined this event in May 2009, which expanded into a three-day festival by May 2010.

Guitarist Stu G and bassist Jon Thatcher established 'One Sonic Society' alongside lead singer Jason Ingram and drummer Paul Mabury early in 2009. They commenced recording their first album in June that year and subsequently released two EPs: 'One' (June 2010) and 'Sonic' (October 2010). Following 'Sonic', Thatcher amicably left the group, which then continued as a trio. As of March 2011, One Sonic Society was preparing their third EP titled 'Society', with intentions to compile these recordings into a live album.

Stu G has maintained his global songwriting efforts and remains involved with Compassionart. In 2011, he toured extensively alongside artists such as Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith.

Jon Thatcher launched 'Arkyard', a creative consultancy serving clients including David Byrne, Delirious?, One Sonic Society, and producer Sam Gibson.

Former drummer Stew Smith founded 'Smeezer', a graphic design firm responsible for campaigns for Premier Percussion, apparel branding for retailer Fat Face, and promotional materials for The Big Church Day Out festival.

Despite pursuing individual paths, Martin Smith has indicated that a reunion of the band remains a possibility.

In 2025, Delirious? reunited to perform at the Big Church Festival held in West Sussex.

Naming confusion

The question mark is officially included in the band's name. On some early records, the last s preceding the question mark was stylized as a 5.

Delirious? live

Delirious? toured extensively, performing in over forty countries around the globe. Within the UK, they played at prominent venues such as Wembley Stadium, Hyde Park, the O2 Arena, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Milton Keynes Bowl, and Birmingham's NEC Arena. They appeared on the main stage at Glastonbury Festival in 1999 and were regular headliners at festivals including Greenbelt. During UK tours in 2001 and 2002, they supported major artists like Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20, and Bryan Adams. Prior to disbanding, they introduced exclusive 'Living Room' concerts for their fans, beginning with an intimate 100-ticket event at the London Embassy in Mayfair, accompanied by Huey from the Fun Lovin' Criminals.

In continental Europe, Delirious? was the headline act for the 2004 Olympic festivities held in Athens' Omonia Square and performed to an audience of 1.2 million people in Cologne, Germany, in 2005.

Their touring reach extended well beyond Europe. In 2006, they attracted crowds totaling 1.2 million during a four-date tour across India, with a single day's attendance reaching up to 400,000. In the United States, they participated in events such as Acquire the Fire and Spirit West Coast, leading a twenty-four show tour in 2007. Additionally, they performed at New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival, recognized as the largest Christian music festival in the southern hemisphere.

Tours

Delirious? have embarked on numerous tours throughout the UK alongside significant tours across the US, Europe, and other international locations. Major UK tours include:

Date	Tour	Shows	Support
1997	d:tour	10	none
1998	May '98 Tour	6	Blueberry
1999	PreMorphis Tour	9	Blueberry
1999	Mezzamorphis Tour	9	Switchfoot
1999	PostMorphis Tour	6	Aqualung
2000	Glo Tour	5	Steve
2001	One Wild Night Tour	5	supporting Bon Jovi
2001	d:tension Tour	18	Kendall Payne
2002	Fire Tour	9	All Star United
2004	January 2004 Tour	5	Superhero
2004	World Service Tour	14	Rock N Roll Worship Circus/Taylor Sorenson
2005	Paint The Town Tour	7	Kendall Payne
2006	The Mission Bell Tour	13	Tim Hughes/Reuben Morgan
2007	Omnisonic Tour	11	Electralyte
2008	Kingdom of Comfort Tour	12	Tree63
2009	History Makers Tour	6	Themselves as "The Cutting Edge Band"

• This compilation lists only their UK tours; worldwide, Delirious? performed hundreds of concerts.

It is worth noting that during the d:tour (1997), they did not feature any supporting acts. For the History Makers tour (2009), they uniquely opened for themselves under the name 'The Cutting Edge Band,' performing selections from the four Cutting Edge tapes before their main performance.

Delirious?

• Martin Smith – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1992–2009)
• Tim Jupp – keyboards (1992–2009)
• Stu G – lead guitar, backing vocals (1994–2009)
• Jon Thatcher – bass guitar (1995–2009)
• Stew Smith – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–2008)
• Paul Evans – drums, percussion (2008–2009)

The Cutting Edge Band

Prior to the arrival of Stu Garrard and Jon Thatcher, several musicians played during the 'Cutting Edge' period:

• Dave Clifton – lead guitar (1993)
• Jim Bryan – bass guitar (1993)
• Les Driscoll – bass guitar (1994)
• Helen Burgess – bass guitar, backing vocals (1994–1995)
• Dudley Phillips – bass guitar (1995)

Timeline

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id:drums value:orange legend:Drums_and_percussion  
id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards  
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bar:Clifton text:"Dave Clifton"  
bar:StuG text:"Stuart Garrard"  
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bar:Driscoll text:"Les Driscoll"  
bar:Burgess text:"Helen Burgess"  
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bar:StuS text:"Stewart Smith"   
bar:Evans text:"Paul Evans"  

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Discography

• King of Fools (1997)
• Mezzamorphis (1999)
• Glo (2000)
• Audio Lessonover? / Touch (2001/2002)
• World Service (2003)
• The Mission Bell (2005)
• Kingdom of Comfort (2008)

References

Further reading