Interviews
Interview (2018)
With their fifteenth album ‘Living In Extraordinary Times’ heading for the Top 5 of the Album Charts, James multi-instrumentalist Saul Davies discusses with Richard Lewis the making of the new LP, not becoming a nostalgia act and what lies ahead for the group.
Live
Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 7/5/2023
Dixie Ernill at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool watches James play an euphoric set with the aid of an orchestra and a gospel choir.
King George's Hall, Blackburn, 19/5/2018
Dixie Ernill at King George's Hall in Blackburn is impressed by James' live set nearly three decades after he last saw them perform a gig.
Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, 6/12/2016
Dave Goodwin enjoys a mesmerising performance at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall from James as they tour their latest album, 'Girl at the End of the World'
Arena Manchester, 13/5/2016
Billy Seagrave watches James come home at the Manchester Arena for a night of love and passion in their own style
Royal Albert Hall, London, 19/11/2014
Owen Peters watches James play a frenzied but enthralling set at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Photography
Photoscapes 1 (2024)
In the first of two photo galleries, Andrew Twambley takes photos of James at the 02 Apollo in Manchester,
Photoscapes 2 (2024)
Andrew Twambley, in the second of two galleries, takes photos of James at the 02 Apollo in Manchester.
Reviews
La Petite Mort (2014)
Memorable latest album from 90's chart-toppers James, which was inspired in part by the deaths of singer Tim Booth's mother and best friend
The Night Before (2010)
Energetic and fresh-sounding new mini-album from reformed stadium rockers, James
Related
Interviews
Interview
Orchids frontman James Hackett and former St. Christopher guitarist Mark Tranmer talk to John Clarkson about their project Vetchinsky Settings, and its contribution to the 'Under The Bridge 2' compilation.
Interview
Slade violinist and multi-instrumentallst James Whild Lea with his brother Frank Lea talks about his career with the 70's rockers, working with legendary manager Chas Chandler and his and Frank's underrated other band The Dummies.
Interview
James Taylor, the keyboardist and the organ player, with legendary 80's garage-rock band The Prisoners talks to Denzil Watson about their reformation for a show at The Roundhouse in London and their forthcoming first album in almost forty years.
Interview
In a second interview, Lisa Torem catches up with guitarist/songwriter/producer Brian Ray, acclaimed for his solo work, as well as with Paul McCartney, Etta James, and The Bayonets, who have recently released dynamic new singles.
Interview
Manchester musician Michael R. Shaw with producer James Youngjohns talks to John Clarkson about his brooding and enigmatic solo debut album, 'How Is This Helping?'
Interview
Guitarist, front man and songwriter Tommy James, with The Shondells, and as solo artist, is one of the greatest influencers of the 21st century. With Lisa Torem, James chronicles early times, principles of songwriting and news about his life story detailed in a film and musical.
Interview
Luke ‘Skyscraper’ James, the original frontman with Birmingham post-punk outfit Fàshiön, speaks to John Clarkson about his tenure with the band, their new compilation ‘fàshiön music’ and his current band This Twisted Wreckage.
Interview
Austin, Texan singer-songwriter James McMurtry talks to Lisa Torem about his first album,in six years ‘The Horses and The Hounds’, and songcraft, politics, early influences and why he never could play like Johnny Cash.
Interview
Adrian James chats to acclaimed dub produce/remixer Mad Professor about his long career and work on Xan Tyler's new album 'Clarion Call'.
Interview
Last Harbour and Anna Kashfi's James Youngjohns speaks to John Clarkson about his new project Lammergeiers and their debut album, 'And I Will Wake the Dawn Itself'.
Elevator Mood
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Primevals frontman Michael Rooney and former Jolt bassist James Doak about their new project The Elevator Mood and its critically acclaimed eponymous debut album.
James Williamson
Interview
Former Stooges guitarist James Williamson speaks to Lisa Torem about several new projects that he is presently involved in, including a remake of 1960s girl-group classic, ‘Leader of The Pack’.
Band Of Holy Joy
Interview
In our fifth interview with them, John Clarkson talks to Johny Brown, Inga Tillere and James Stephen Finn from London-based alternative/indie rock band the Band of Holy Joy about their remarkable latest album, ‘Neon Primitives’.
James Holt
Interview
Shirley Procter talks to rising Bolton-based singer-songwriter James Holt at a gig in Manchester about his new EP, his influences, appearing on TV and his plans for the future.
Slade
Interview
Slade's classic hit 'Merry Xmas Everybody' inspired hordes of fans much to the hard-working band's delight. Nick Dent Robinson speaks with lead guitarist Dave Hill about its success, the group's 80's reformation and his autobiography.
Pony Collaboration
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Cambridge/London-based indie pop group the Pony Collaboration's vocalist and guitarist James Scallan about his band's recent return and their first album in nine years, ‘Everything Was Ages Ago'.
James McCartney
Interview
Lisa Torem catches up with British singer/songwriter James McCartney during his second US tour in which he is promoting his second studio album 'The Blackberry Train'
Kanadia
Interview
Owen Peters talks to James Bettis, the vocalist and guitarist in new Oxfordshire alternative rock band Kanadia, about their recent self-titled EP and forthcoming debut album
Band Of Holy Joy
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Johny Brown, Inga Tillere and James Stephen Finn from London-based alternative rock band the Band of Holy Joy about the making of their band's latest album, 'The Land of Holy Joy'.
Land Observations
Interview
Anthony Strutt chats to former Appliance guitarist James Brooks about his latest project, instrumental solo act Land Observations, and its second album, 'The Grand Tour'
Profiles
Profile
Nick Dent-Robinson previews Blur star Alex James’ annual family festival The Big Feastival, which will include sets from Sigrid, Tom Grennan, Blossoms, Mel C and The Vaccines.
Big Feastival
Profile
Nick Dent-Robinson profiles this year's Big Feastival, which run by Alex James, the bassist with Blur, is taking place between the 23rd and 25th August in his native Oxfordshire.
ELF
Profile
Erick Mertz examines the legacy of blues rock act Elf, the early band of Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio's Ronnie James Dio, whose 1974 second album 'Carolina County Ball'and 1975 third album 'Trying to Burn the Sun' have both been reissued by Cherry Red
Bayou Maharajah
Film
Jamie Rowland findS impressive 'Bayou Maharajah', a new bio-documentary about the tragic life of brilliantly talented bot overlooked one-eyed blues pianist and drug addict, James Booker
James Chance And The Contortions
Profile
Adrian Janes examines the early career of New York 'No Wave' musician nad sxaphonist James Chance, and his first two albums, the first 'Buy' with the Contortions, and the second 'Off White' as James White and the Blacks , both of which are about to be reissued with extra tracks
Profile-Anatomy of a Label
ECR Music Group
Lisa Torem attends a launch party in New York for ECR Music Group, which run by musician/producer Blake Morgan, also includes on its roster Janita, David Cloyd, James McCartney and 60's star Lesley Gore
Profile
Jesus and Mary Chain Part 3
In the second third of his occasional series, about the Jesus and Mary Chain, who have recently had all their albums reissued, Anthony Strutt examines their fourth album, 'Honey's Dead'
Profile
Dio
Peter Allison examines the early 80's career and influence of heavy metal band Dio, the band of the late Ronnie James Dio, who have had recently had their first three albums, 'Holy Diver','The Last in Line' and 'Sacred Heart', reissued
Profile
Etta James
Lisa Torem looks back and reflects on the career and life of jazz artist Etta James, who died earlier this year
Profile
Jesus and Mary Chain Part 2
In the second part of his series, and wth all of their studio albums having been recently reissued in double CD editions, Anthony Strutt reflects upon the Jesus and Mary Chain's 1989 third album, 'Automatic'
Profile
Jesus and Mary Chain Part 1
With all six of their studio albums having been recently reissued, Anthony Strutt in a new series looks back on the career of Scottish alternative group the Jesus and Mary Chain and begins by looking at their first two albums, 'Psychocandy' and 'Darklands'
DVD-James Brown
Live in America
Spencer Robertshaw finds completely enthralling new James Brown concert film DVD, which was filmed in Georgia on the late Godfather of Soul's 70th birthday
Profile
No Wave Part 3
In the third part of his four part series, on New York's late 1970's confrontational No Wave movement, Jon Rogers reflects upon Brian Eno's album 'No New York', which featured four of its acts Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, James Chance and the Contortions, Mars and DNA.
Profile
No Wave Part 2
In the second part of his four part No Wave series, Jon Rogers reflects upon the influence of the saxophone-playing James Chance and his band the Contortions
John Barry
1933-2011: The Name's Barry-John Barry
Spencer Robertshaw looks back on the life of film soundtrack and James Bond composer, John Barry, who died at the age of 77 in Januray
Live
Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 17/3/2024
James Gardner watches rising Cardiff act Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard play as ferocious set at The Hare and Hounds in Birmingham. Photos by Rob Hadley.
Albert Hall, Manchester, 11/4/2023
Neil Kinsella enjoys at Albert Hall in Manchester enjoys an exuberant set from punk icons The Damned of several songs from their forthcoming 'Darkadelic' album as well as many classics. Photos by Andrew Twambley.
Rialto Square Theater, Joliet, Illinois, 3/3/2023
Lisa Torem watches Tommy James and The Shondells play an exuberant set of greatest hits, along with some surprises at the Rialto Square Theater in Joliet, Illinois.
Castle and Falcon, Birmingham,1/2/2022
With photos from Rob Hadley, James Gardner enjoys an euphoric set of psychedelic pop from Temples
Hare and Hounds, Birmingham, 23/11/2022
Arty Dutch rockers Lewsberg turn all their influences into a magical night. James Gardner was there and was blown away
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, 22/4/2022
Lisa Torem watches James McMurtry return to Chicago’s Old Town School and drew from an assortment of albums, including gems from his latest album ‘The Horses and the Hounds'.
Albert Hall, Manchester, 19/11/2021
At a concert at the Albert Hall in Manchester featuring classics from their brooding 1987 second album, ‘Darklands',’ Denzil Watson finds The Jesus and Mary Chain rendering a refreshingly subtle and dynamic range.
James Holt
Night People, Manchester, 1/3/2019
Shirley Procter reviews rising Bolton-based singer-songwriter James Holt at an excellent showcase at Night People in Manchester.
Damned
Hydro, Glasgow, 19/6/2018
John Clarkson at the Hydro in Glasgow watches punk legends the Damned in a set in support of the Hollywood Vampires play a set of their classic singles and songs.
Starsailor
Ritz, Manchester, 24/10/2017
Dixie Ernill enjoys his first Starsailor gig, despite a lack of air con at the Ritz in Manchester.
Lockn' Festival
Infinity Downs Farm, Arrington, Virginia, 24/8/2017...25/8/2017
In perfect weather L. Paul Mann enjoys the first two days of the fifth Virginia-based Lockn' festival which saw sets from jam and improvisational acts such as Umphrey’s McGee, String Cheese Incident, Jim James, Brandi Carlile and the Terrapin Family Band
Jesus And Mary Chain
O2 Academy, Liverpool, 21/9/2017
Noise rock pioneers The Jesus and Mary Chain turn in an excellent career-spanning set at the O2 Academy, Liverpool in support of recent LP ‘Damage and Joy’. Richard Lewis reviews.
Big Feastival
Kingston, Oxfordshire, 25/8/2017...26/8/2017
Nick Dent-Robinson enjoys this year's Big Feastival, Blur bassist Alex James' annual festival of food and music in Oxfordshire.
Jesus And Mary Chain
Academy, Manchester, 25/3/2017
Richard Lewis finds the Jesus and Mary Chain, who are currently touring 'Damage and Joy' their first new album in nineteen years, to be on formidable form at a near-capacity Manchester Academy
Slow Readers Club
Bodega, Nottingham, 30/3/2017
Riding on the back of their tour with fellow Manchurians James, The Slow Readers Club set off on a tour of their own to massive acclaim especially in Nottingham where they sell out the Bodega
James McCartney
Schuba's Tavern, Chicago, 21/6/2016
At Chicago's Schuba's Tavern, Lisa Torem watches singer-songwriter James McCartney' treat fans to new material from 'The Blackberry Train'
Wendy James
Live Room, Manchester, 3/6/2016
Ex-Transvision Vamp singer Wendy James returns to the live music arena with a brand new LP, ‘The Price of the Ticket’. Vanessa Lourenco (words) and Melanie Smith (photos) report back from the Manchester leg of the UK tour
Foxes
Club Academy, Manchester, 24/10/2015
Writer James Lowther and photographer Melanie Smith head to the intimate Club Academy in Manchester to catch hotly tipped London songstress Louisa Rose Allen, AKA Foxes as she tours her latest album ‘Better Love’
Ex Hex
Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 8/11/2015
Writer James Lowther and photographer Melanie Smith catch rising all-female punk rock outfit Ex Hex at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester as they storm through their fantastic debut album ‘Rips'
Kendal Calling
Lowther Deer Park, Kendal, 30/7/2015...2/8/2015
Billy Seagrave enjoys the four days of the tenth year of the Lake District festival Kendal Calling, which this year included main stage sets from James, the Vaccines, Elbow, Snoop Dogg and the Kaiser Chiefs
Albums
40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006)
Lisa Torem enjoys a new compilation from unrivaled American singer-songwriter Tommy James which includes distinctive recordings from his long-standing solo career.
Re : View -Jesus and Mary Chain
Stoned and Dethroned
In the latest in our new 'Re :View' series, in which we look back upon albums that we feel deserve re-evaluation, Olga Sladeckova reflects upon the Jesus and Mary Chain's underacknowledged masterpiece, 'Stoned and Dethroned'
Favourite Album-Electric Light Orchestra
Out of the Blue
In the latest in our series, in which a different one of our writers writes about a favourite album of his or her choice, James Alexander writes about ELO's much maligned 1978 album '"Out of the Blue'.
Jesus and Mary Chain
Psycho Candy
When East Kilbride’s The Jesus And Mary Chain surfaced early in 1984 it changed music forever for me. Before that I’d hated the eighties mainstream music and really only listened to 60’s stuff and als
Features
The Voice
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem examines James Kaplan’s book ‘Frank: The Voice’, which explores the first forty years of Frank Sinatra’s complicated life
Me, The Mob and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells
In her 'Raging Pages' book column, Lisa Torem reflects upon 'Me, The Mob and the Music: One Helluva Ride with Tommy James and the Shondells' which, co-written with Martin Fitzpatrick, tells of how the 60s's rock star's career was taken control over by gangsters.
Every Album, Every Song by Morgan Brown
In her 'Raging Pages' book column Lisa Torem finds that in a new book about British punk act, The Damned, by Morgan Brown, the author/musician chronicles the band’s studio history with solid research and humour.
James Taylor
TV Music Memories - MusiCares Person of the Year 2006
In his new column 'TV Music Memories', in which he will be examining music programmes on television, Owen Peters watches a tribute concert originally shown in 2006 for James Taylor
This Metal Sky
Smashing Pumpkins
Jeff Thiessen in 'This Metal Sky' looks back on the Smashing Pumpkins' erratic career, and reflects on why their latest record, 'Oceania', is their greatest moment to date
Soundtrack of Our Lives
The Jesus and Mary Chain
In our 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column in which our writers describe the personal impact of music in their lives, Anthony Strutt writes of discovering the Jesus and Mary Chain in the mid 1980s
Condemned to Rock 'n' Roll
September 2006
Radiohead's Thom Yorke, the Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield and Idlewild Roddy Woomble have all recently released solo albums. Ben Howarth looks at them in the latest in his 'Condemned by Rock 'n' Roll' column
Photography
Photoscapes
Andrew Twambley takes photographs of punk veterans THe Damned at Albert Hall in Manchester.