Back in July I caught up with James in an interview that was going to focus mainly around the International Swingers album and Pledge Music campaign. As the launch of the Pledge was delayed we held back on the interview...until now!
The Cult stint is turning out to be longer than initially
expected, what are the current plans and is it likely to extend beyond The
Electric dates?
Hi Rob – well yeah it has done. The Electric 13 dates ended
last December – and I’ve been doing all the gigs since then.
Has there been any talk to a follow up to 2012s “Choice Of
Weapon” album?
Ian and Billy are working on new material as we speak I believe.
You’ve played some huge dates on this tour so far including
the Coachella Festival, what are your stand out moments?
The two nights at The Roundhouse in London were fantastic.
But its all good. I love playing with The Cult. Coachella has grown into something
much bigger than it was. It sells out before the music line-up is announced –
that tells me the music has become secondary which I think is a shame.
You managed to slip in the majority of the recent Chelsea
tour baring a couple of dates that conflicted with your Cult commitments, are
you likely to be able to appear on the upcoming album and when are the sessions
planned to start?
In December. Yes – I’m sure I’ll be on it. I’m going to
brighton to do some writing with Gene this weekend! Although most of it’s
written already.
How has it been playing with The Rebelles recently?
Well to be honest the last thing I needed was another set
going round in my head! But their guitarist couldn’t do two shows so I had to
help them out.
Has Elizabeth managed to get any of her Westworld hits into
the set yet?
LOL – no not yet.
3 quarters of the Swingers are to be on the new Rebelles
single, will you be on the album too and how was recording in Mick Jones’
studio?
Yeah – there seems to be a lot of cross-interaction with all
the band’s I’m in – just look at all the connections between Gene Loves
Jezebel. The Cult, The Alarm and The Mission! Love working at Mick’s – Mick’s a
genuine genius in my opinion – and he loves The Rebelles.
Given their style of reworking punk classics what tracks in
your own catalogue do you think would suit that kind of makeover and
arrangement?
I think they could do a great version of Living In The Urban
UK by Chelsea
The pledge campaign for the debut International Swingers
album starts at the beginning of August at one time you seemed opposed to going
the crowd funding route, what changed your mind?
Actually we’re a couple of months late – just launching now.
Someone said to me you have to view it as pre-sales. The music industry has
changed out of all recognition – labels haven’t got the money to fund artists
anymore. When I was just out with The Cult I really enjoyed some of the opening
bands – then it dawned on me that because of how it’s all gone most people will
never have a chance to see or hear those bands – it really is a shame.
You’ve been doing some sessions as and when you can all get
together, how are things shaping up and how much more recording needs to be
completed?
Quite a lot – everyone’s so busy doing other things all the
time – the logistics can be a nightmare! But I feel we’ve got some great songs
– can’t wait to get it finished.
Has the track listing been finalised yet and if so will the
album include any of the live set and the tracks already previewed on the web
site?
There’s quite a few new songs that were never on the site
and that we’ve never played live. It’s more or less finalised – but things
change all the time as you know – especially with bands.
Can you let us know what sort of rewards are planned for the
pledge campaign or are you sworn to secrecy?
You can read all about it right here! http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/theinternationalswingers
If all goes well what are your expectations for the campaign
and what will it allow you to do?
Well really just to get our music out there – the stuff
labels used to do in the old days.
Have you discussed stretch targets at all?
Erm – sorry to be ignorant – what are they? (LOL)
Were there any rewards that were suggested that got vetoed
for being too outrageous?
No – outrageous is good.
Daniel Ash is offering a bike trip with him as part of his
Pledge campaign where the bidder gets to keep his 1992 Heritage Softail HD (admittedly for $45,000!) - are you tempted to part with any of your bikes?
No. That's a lot of money for a Harley!
What’s the proposed date for the albums release?
Probably Jan 2015
Will it be possible to tour to support it and if so when
would this likely to be?
Yes we really want to. As long as The Pistols, The Cult and
Blondie stay quiet! We’d like to play live more. The Lexington show we did last
year in London was one of my favourites.
Has there been any talk about The International Swingers
appearing at next years Gathering or is that not something that would interest
you?
I’m actually considering doing a James Stevenson set at The
Gathering – although I’m very nervous about it. Jules Peters thinks when
non-Alarm related bands play at The Gathering the fans don’t really like it –
and I think she’s right on that one.
It’s been very quiet on The Alarm front this year so far
with Mike out on the very successful “Declaration” tour. Has there been any
discussions yet about when the band will come back together to either record or
for live dates?
Not really. Looks like The gathering will be the next thing
– so that’s a year between gigs! And now Mike’s doing a solo Strength outing
too next year. I don’t blame him at all. But when we do some actual Alarm dates
– hopefully sometime next year I’m sure because of our absence it will be a big
bang.
Lastly with this being another whirlwind year have you had a
chance to take in the reaction to your solo debut “Everything’s Getting Closer
To Being Over”?
Well it’s had amazing reviews. I’m very proud of it –
hopefully it’s the beginning of something bigger.
Has it met your expectations and have you any plans to start
on a follow up just yet?
Well I’d have liked more around it in the US – but that
might be about to happen. There will definitely be another album – hopefully in
2015
Before we go it seems quiet on the Gene Loves Jezabel front
currently with Jay & Peter both lining up the second Ugly Buggs release.
Any news you can share on what we can expect next?
I thought their Summertime single, and the video, were
fantastic. I’m hoping Jay will do my video for Suzi’s Problem from my album
that I’m planning. Have you seen the one I did for Go Mister! on Youtube? As
far as GLJ who knows. We’ve talked about a new album – and dates. But Jay moves
around the world more than anyone I know……
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If all goes well what are your expectations for the campaign
and what will it allow you to do?