As it is widely accepted, James were influenced mainly by the post-punk music and more precicely the Gang Of Four, the Raincoats and Essential Logic.
This week Tim Booth stated that Patti Smith is a major musical influence for him.
Which bands do you think that James were influenced from?
6 comments:
There's been scraps of info over the years. Early influences are definitely Orange Juice, the Fire Engines and the whole Postcard scene - although, they were more influential in that Gilbertson-era James tried to stay away from sounding too slavishly like them. After that, there was WOMAD (the jingle-jangle stuff right up to the original "Sit Down"). Booth's early influences, apart Patti Smith, seem to include the Birthday Party, Julee Cruise (that Badalmenti connection) and Rickie Lee Jones. I've heard them all be mentioned. He was also asked during the roof-top hotel gig in 1991 if he liked the Beatles, and he said he preferred something rawer like the Stones or the Doors. He's also said in interviews that the "Sit Down" appearance on Wogan was embarrasing as he was obviously trying to be Jim Morrison.
There's been scraps of info over the years. Early influences are definitely Orange Juice, the Fire Engines and the whole Postcard scene - although, they were more influential in that Gilbertson-era James tried to stay away from sounding too slavishly like them. After that, there was WOMAD (the jingle-jangle stuff right up to the original "Sit Down").
Booth's early influences, apart Patti Smith, seem to include the Birthday Party, Julee Cruise (that Badalmenti connection) and Rickie Lee Jones. I've heard them all be mentioned. He was also asked during the roof-top hotel gig in 1991 if he liked the Beatles, and he said he preferred something rawer like the Stones or the Doors. He's also said in interviews that the "Sit Down" appearance on Wogan was embarrasing as he was obviously trying to be Jim Morrison.
Thanks for that, and giving me such an informative response - I now feel that I have a better picture of the inspirational influences and thanks for explain' about the importance of whole Manchester music scene !
Good evening eneryone.It says on their myspace - The Velvet Underground, Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, The Fall.Do you agree?
Without Neil Young, there would have been no "Laid", as their 1992 US tour with him got them to strip back and go acoustic. The Velvet Underground influence is less obvious, arguably, except maybe for early Saul violin (even the Velvet Underground cover sounds very un-Velvet Underground - just as all covers should!) The Fall ... whew, well, I suppose like the Fall, James in the early days tried to sound like no one else. And I think Tim sneaked out of his public school (Shrewsbury, wasn't it?) to see Patti Smith in 1976.
- Do you think that Tim Booth was inspired by any of Marc Bolan's music ? - As we know, there's a lot more to Marc Bolan than the Glam-rock era, that he was quick to define as dead. - He was a writer / musician and essentially - a poet. - I'm thinking of the Tyranasaurus Rex material, Child Star / Cat Black / The Visit and all of that "Brown" T.Rex album, Electric Warrior and The Slider. - A lot of musicians / writers cite Marc Bolan, as an important, early influence, because of his impact on the UK music scene, especially during some times of dire "lull". - Has Tim Booth, to your knowledge, ever made any reference to this and are you, as I can, able to detect Bolanic influences in Tim Booth's lyrics and James' music? - Thanks in anticipation of your reply.
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