James Stevenson "The Other Side Of The World" interview

 This year saw the release of "The Other Side Of The World", the excellent second solo album by guitarist extraordinaire James Stevenson, so did a global pandemic help or hinder the recording? Talking all things about the album and what we can expect in the coming year it's time to catch up with James!

With a global pandemic happening did that forced downtime spark the idea for the album or was it something that was already underway and did the pandemic help or hinder the recording process?

A bit of both. I always wanted to do a second album - but lockdown definitely gave me the time to do it. I recorded the song "The Other Side Of The World" to be played at my brother Dave's funeral - that was the catalyst.

I emailed the files to Smiley and Peter Walsh and I was really pleased with the results, even though the reason I'd written the song was heart-breaking. So I asked Pete if he thought we could record a whole album like this and he thought we could.

Were all of the songs written with the album in mind or are there some that have been on the back burner so to speak?

Well "New York 10023" was a very old piece of music about a mad night I had in New York in the mid 80s with the model Paula Hamilton. I rerecorded it for the album - and even though it's basically an instrumental people do like it a lot. I got Johnny Pisano (Willie Nile's bass player) and Thomas Trask (who was David JoHansen's guitarist) - two New York mates to speak the script I wrote at the end - just to give it a New York edge.

"Take A Little Love" I wrote with Adam Masterson a few years ago and "Point It To Your Head" is a song by Steve New whose version was never released - so I recorded a version as a tribute to Steve. Other songs like "I'm Getting Over You Now", "Just Like I Do", "Gotta Find That Feeling", "When You're Feeling Sad and Lonely" and "Ugly/Beautiful" are all recent, or finished as the album progressed. "In The Nighttime" I wrote when I was about fourteen or fifteen - but I updated it a bit.

You've used a core "band" for the album featuring yourself, Peter Walsh on keyboards and Smiley on the drums then adding in guests for selected songs - do you think this helped focus the sessions and give a more unified feel overall?

I think it did, yeah. I liked the fact I played all the bass guitars too. I love to play bass and I don't think I'm a bad player if I say so myself! I didn't know Pete Walsh was such a great keyboard player until this album...he's very modest - but he's so tasteful. He produced the album too of course. So Pete, Smiley and I would basically knock the songs into shape and then I'd get people in to embellish. Terry Edwards is incredible and all the girl singers, Jessica Lee Morgan, Elizabeth Westwood, Tracie Hunter. I got my lifelong friend Henry Badowski out of retirement to play sax on "Baby Come On" - it was Henry who encouraged me to record "In The Nighttime" - we were in bands together in school. My friend Rana Rains did some great vocals on "New York 10023" too and Mike Peters added the harmonica on "Point It To your Head" of course.

Peter Walsh co-produced the album alongside you and has a rather impressive CV featuring such household names as Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Scott Walker, Spandau Ballet, Boomtown rats and Heaven 17 amongst others, where did your paths first cross?

You can also add Simple Minds and four Gene Loves Jezebel albums! We met when our A&R man at Geffen, Gary Gersh, wanted him to produce "Desire". It worked out great and he's been a Gene Loves Jezebel staple ever since - right up to GLJs last album "Dance Underwater". He has an incredible pair of ears and is a close personal friend too.

You've kept the guest list quite short with Elizabeth Westwood and Tracie Hunter returning again to provide the majority of the albums backing vocals, your Holy Holy bandmate Jessica Lee Morgan takes that role on the album opener "Baby Come On" and one Michael Peters lends his harmonica skills to "Point It To Your Head". Were there any guests that you would have loved for the album but couldn't get?

To be honest I would have liked Steve Norman to play sax on a track or two. He was incredible on my first solo album "Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over" but he was tied up in Berlin doing stuff.

What are your hopes and expectations for the album?

I just want as many people to hear it as possible. I'm very proud of it.

The album as well as the title track are dedicated to your brother David who sadly passed last year. Is there anything you'd like to tell us about him?

Well he was my best friend as well as my brother - the one person I would always call first to talk about anything. There were only fifteen months between us. I was destroyed when he died even though I knew it was inevitable and because he lived in Australia and died during lock-down I couldn't even go to his funeral. 

I discovered it was caused by a familial gene on my mother's side. You have to inherit it from a parent. If you have a parent with the gene you have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it. If you inherit it you die from Pick's Disease, it's terminal and there's no treatment. 

My mother died very young from cancer when she was only forty eight, before the disease took hold but her sister, my aunt Janet, who I absolutely adored, had the disease and died from it in her 50s but we never realised what it was until my brother started developing symptoms. It came from my mother and aunt's mother Claris Raynes who died of an illegal backstreet abortion in the mid1930s - she was only 28! So it's been hard to work out the trail.

I tested negative but it was a very stressful time.

You write about some very personal subjects lyrically on the album, do you find it cathartic to do so?

I've always written from personal experience - I think most artists in any genre do that don't they?

All the reviews I've seen have been full of praise and seem more positive than those of your debut "Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over" despite that album being a firm fan favourite ever since its release. Are you happy with how it has been received?

Yes, everyone does seem to like it. I'm very proud of both of my solo albums.

One thing that is striking about the release is that your vocals seem stronger and more natural, is this something that you consciously worked on?

Not really - I think they just evolved because I sang more. But I agree with what you're saying. My ex-wife Elizabeth Westwood did help with a bit of coaching - she's an awesome singer.

You've announced one live date for this year so far, do you envisage being able to play more solo shows next year?

Yes. Pizza Express Live in Holborn, London December 12th. I really want to do more solo gigs if I can.

I know Smiley will be playing drums with you in December but have you finalised the rest of the band yet?

Yes. Smiley on drums, Terry Edwards, Patrick Ralla on keys (Mark Taylor sadly couldn't do it) but Patrick is awesome. Peter Rizzo from Gene Loves Jezebel on bass - he's my fave bass player of all time. And Liz Westwood, Jennie "Belle Star" Matthias and Tracie Hunter on BVs. Hope we can all fit on the stage!

What can those people fortunate enough to be able to attend the London show expect to hear in the set, with two albums of original material you certainly have enough to play all your own songs but are you tempted to play anything from your long career so far or even some covers?

It will be songs from my two solo albums...but I might throw in a surprise!

Are there any plans to potentially record the show for a digital release or maybe a livestream?

There aren't, maybe next time. So if you want to see the show get to the gig!

There have been plenty of tours in the news being affected due to band or crew becoming infected and having to cancel shows. Do you have any restrictions yourself that you'd like to see in place for the immediate future?

I think that's just the way the world is right now and we're gonna have to soldier on and hope for the best.

Do you envisage a few short notice calls asking you to fill in to allow gigs to go ahead within the multitude of friendships you have?

I'm always up for that!

One of the lockdown releases saw the rapid writing and release of the album "War" by The Alarm in order to catch the spark and it was very well received even garnering national media attention. With how quickly things move forward with The alarm and that live dates couldn't be played to support and promote it do you think there's a potential it may become somewhat of a "lost" album?

I hope not. I think it's a really strong album. But we are living in very strange times for sure!

Did the impact of the pandemic allow you any more time to develop your autobiography?

A bit, I've been slack there I have to admit - all my focus went on the album.

With the pandemic far from over but with live music making a return (albeit with some dates having to be pulled or rescheduled) what is 2022 looking like currently for you?

Well from March it explodes! Holy Holy first, then The Alarm and then Gene Loves Jezebel UK dates. Then Gene Loves Jezebel have the Cruel World Festival in the USA May 14th - not sure if you've seen the line-up for that but it's incredible! Yeah 2022 looks very busy with tons of cool stuff - thank god!

That certainly sounds like there's a lot to look forward to next year and not forgetting that solo gig in London on December the 12th this year. James Stevenson, as always, thank you very much!

James' excellent second solo album "The Other Side Of The World" can be ordered HERE!

Tickets to the Pizza Express Holborn gig in London on December 12th can be ordered HERE!

James Stevenson "40 Years" A selective Interview!

For 40 years James Stevenson has lent his unique talent to a massively diverse selection of bands & solo artists with the release of "40 Years in the Rock 'n' Roll Wilderness (a Selective Retrospective)" you can now marvel at the diversity while enjoying some truly great music....and guitar solos!

What made you decide to release a retrospective?

It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a few years. The logistics were quite complicated, getting all the right permissions etc. but I kind of wanted to do it for myself – me being the only common thread. I think it’s an interesting collection – and also I wanted to introduce people to some of the lesser known artists whose work I really admire and to introduce fans of one band to others I play in.

Why now?

The time just felt right. It’s actually taken about two years to sort it all out.

With such a long and broad career how did you go about choosing which tracks to include?

Tons of different factors. It was hard. I would have loved a Scott Walker track on there, but sometimes the logistics were too complicated or permission was impossible to obtain. I had to like the track myself. I know that sounds weird but I have played on stuff I didn’t like just to pay the bills.

What was it like revisiting some of the more off the beaten track songs during your selection process?

That for me was a really enjoyable part. I hadn’t heard the Charlie Harper song for years. The Gary Holton track was something I suddenly remembered at the last minute and knew I had to include it.

The album kicks off, quite rightly, with “Urban Kids” by Chelsea, recording that must have been pretty special considering how young you were at the time?

Yeah I was nineteen I think. Kit Lambert produced it. Working with him was really great. I think that was the first time I played proper lead guitar on a record.

I’m guessing from some of the absences of material reflecting parts of your career you may not have been able to secure the rights for some songs?

Well everyone was really helpful. Billy Idol’s manager refused me permission for the Gen X track – so I went to Tony James who got them to change their minds – so I owe him for that. When I went to Beggars for Desire by Gene Loves Jezebel they just said I could have it “gratis” which was really sweet of them – usually you have to pay an advance. Obviously it’s easier if a mate, or you yourself, own a recording.

There's nothing representing your time in The Cult?

Well I’m not on any Cult recordings. I’m sure no guitarist except Billy Duffy ever will be. I was just a hired gun. There might be the odd live recording with me on it but I was never a member of the band – I was just a hired gun, so it never entered my mind to try to include a Cult track.

What made you choose “Andy Warhol” by Gen X ? Does it have fond memories or is it a nod to your present Bowie connection with Holy Holy?

I just thought it was a great version – very different to Bowie’s. The band really gave it our own slant. And I suspect many people have never heard it. Dancing With Myself would have been a bit too obvious.

You’ve said on social media before that one of the favourite things you ever did was the Henry Badowski album “Life Is A Grand…” I’m guessing it’s not an album that most people are familiar with, what makes it so special to you?

Well I was in bands at school with Henry so I’ve known him virtually my whole life. He’s a very talented and unique songwriter and instrumentalist. Yeah, he just made that one album for A&M in 1981, but he still has a cult following. I’ve often tried to talk him into recording new material commercially, but he hates the music industry.

Your start with Chelsea & Gen X doesn’t seem a natural fit to bring you to Kim Wilde & Annabel Lamb what was it they wanted you to bring to their sound?

Well things just happen along the way don’t they? Mickie Most got me in with Kim because he wanted there to be a band in the Kids In America video. I only play on a few tracks on her first two albums. Annabel was really just a session. Wally Brill who produced the first Chelsea album was producing it – so he knew what I sounded like and wanted a bit of that on the song. She went on to have a hit with a cover of The Doors’ Riders On The Storm of course.

I thought I knew most of the acts you’d been involved with, baring some of the sessions maybe, but The Hot Club and The Smart are new ones to me! What can we expect and what made them essential tracks to include on “40 Years…”?

Well Hot Club was the first band I had with Glen Matlock. We only made two singles, both with different singers. Steve Allen from Deaf School and The Original Mirrors is on the track I chose, which was a B side. When he left we got Clark Datchler in. He and Calvin went on to form Johnny Hates Jazz. It was kind of an unfocused band – but still important to me because it got me out on the road again which I hadn’t done for a while because I’d been a professional mimer with Kim for over a year. As for The Smart let me make it clear at the outset the name The Smart was nothing to do with me LOL. Dave Martin the singer was the rhythm guitarist in Chelsea and he and Geoff the bass player left to form The Smart in 1980. They asked me to join a couple of years later. We made an album that never got released at the time. Epic kept saying they were going to sign the band but never did – typical of the industry at that time. I actually really like the album – you can get it now – so I had to include a track.

Many will know Gary Holton from his acting career in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet or musically for his time in Heavy Metal Kids so where does The Gang Show fit in?

Well just after Hot Club, Glen and I formed a band with him. As well as an actor he was a rock and roll legend of course. I don’t think Big Tears has ever been released before. I just realised I had to include it right and the end of compiling 40 Years. I remembered it in the nick of time. I saw The Heavy Metal Kids at The Biba Rainbow Room when I was about fourteen and they were brilliant – especially Gary. I think I went to that gig with Henry Badowski actually……

For those that haven’t heard it before it may surprise some people that you feature on “Brand New You’re Retro” by former Massive Attack member Tricky which is very different to the genres that you usually favour.

Yeah – you end up on all sorts of records along the way LOL. I actually loved playing on Maxinquaye – I’m pretty sure I’m on a lot of it – but only got credited on this one track.

Was it difficult trying to mix different genres into a working running order?

No – it’s more or less chronological except here and there where I’ve kept tracks by the same bands next to each other in the running order. For example Desire and Break The Chain by GLJ are about seven years apart time-wise but I kept them next to each other on the CD.

When you approached this project did you have certain essential cornerstones that you had from day one or was the selection process fairly fluid?

The track-listing changed all the time. I was mortified when I first got refused Gen X – although I wasn’t in the band for long it was an important part of my career I felt I had to include. The cornerstones were the bands I feel are most important in my career – Chelsea, Gen X, GLJ, The Alarm, The International Swingers and Holy Holy.

Did you have any trusted friends that would suggest songs to you or give you a deciding vote if you were stuck?

Yes a few people. There are friends you respect whose help you engage when you can’t make a decision. Jules Peters vetoed the original cover LOL – which I’m glad about because Karl Parsons came up with a brilliant one after that.

What tracks were on the short list but didn’t make the final album?

It was especially tough deciding which tracks to include from the first Chelsea album and also The Smart. I nearly went with Something’s Got To Give from Under Attack too because I love the song. Also from Chelsea’s Faster, Cheaper And Better Looking – Cosy Family Way almost didn’t make it but then I decided I really liked the guitar solo LOL.

You’ve chosen just 3 songs to represent your work within The Alarm, “45 RPM”, “Superchannel” & “My Town” what is it about them that stands out for you above others?

Well Superchannel and 45 were both hits, that’s why I went with them. Then it was a toss up between My Town and Something’s Got To Give. Tough choices.

You’ve not chosen anything from your latest albums with either Chelsea or Gene Loves Jezebel is there any reason for this?

I just felt they were too recent – I’m really proud of both Mission Impossible and Dance Underwater - they need to be listened to in their entirety – for now anyway.

Your collaborations with Glen Matlock see you choose 2 tracks from the Philistines & 3 from The International Swingers. Now that Glen has left the Swingers do you have any plans to work together again?

Well John Carlucci’s been playing bass with The Swingers and he’s worked out great. But with Glen never say never, I guess. He told us the reason he didn’t want to do TIS anymore was that he wanted to stop playing bass and concentrate on being a singer songwriter. But recently he’s been playing bass with Clem and Walter Lure in The Heartbreakers so who knows.

The retrospective closes with 2 tracks from your excellent solo album “Everything’s Getting Closer To Being Over”, I remember you saying you were writing a follow up album so what’s the latest and how long will we have to wait to hear it considering how busy you are?

Well I’ve written the title track – it’s called The Other Side Of The World. It’s about my younger brother Dave and his battle with early onset Alzheimers. It’s been absolutely fucking heartbreaking

Are there any plans for a Vol. 2 if the album is successful?

Hadn’t thought of that. Maybe, although getting this one together has been a monster job.

Lastly……what can we expect from James Stevenson in 2018?

Well there’s a lot of Alarm in the diary. I want to get out and promote Dance Underwater with GLJ because I think it’s such a great album. Holy Holy too of course and also there may be some stuff with Daphne Guinness whose album I played on courtesy of Mr. Visconti. Sometimes I don’t know what to expect to come round the corner myself……

James, as always it's been amazing! Thank you & see you at the Gathering!

"40 Years in the Rock 'n' Roll Wilderness (a Selective Retrospective)" is available to order now for just £15 plus £3 p&p! Just CLICK HERE for details!

James Stevenson Interview - June 2017

Photo courtesy of Lis Garrett Photography

Ever since it was announced that Gene Loves Jezebel were heading back into the studio to record new material via last years Pledge Music campaign I've been really excited and the resulting album "Dance Underwater" is simply amazing. Now with the album about to get released to the general public I thought it would be good to have a chat with the guitar legend that is James Stevenson.....but with James being Mr 72% you just know there will be a lot more to cover!





It’s been a long time coming “Dance Underwater” was definitely worth waiting for, you must be pretty happy with the finished album?

Yes, we’re all very excited about it. It’s our first real studio album in nearly twenty years. We’re over the moon at how it turned out -

You’ve said previously that one of the reasons that Jay has been reluctant to release new music is that his brother Michael would capitalise on it. Do you have any comment on the fact that as soon as the album was released to the Pledge backers Michael announced his a UK tour of his version of GLJ?

Let’s not talk about Michael. We all think he’s an asshole – and his behaviour proves it over and over again.

I see that tour has been postponed now till later in the year, will it have any impact on any legitimate UK live dates from yourself, Jay & the rest of GLJ?

We have a reciprocal agreement with him that he can play in the UK as long as he uses Michael Aston’s GLJ – that way everyone knows what they’re getting.

What are the plans for “Dance Underwater” , it gets a physical release in June I believe, what are your hopes for it?

June 30. Well that as many people hear it as possible and that it gets us some profile back and we can go out and play for as many people as possible. We’ve been too quiet for too long.
Summertime, the first single, sounds like a hit to me. We’re cautiously optimistic as they say.

Are you happy with the reaction so far from those fans that have had the album since the Pledge?

Yes – everyone seems to love it. I think it’s the strongest album we’ve ever made.

“How Do You Say Goodbye (To Someone You Love)” seems to have a distinct Bowie vibe to it, has being in Holy Holy influenced any of your writing recently?

Well Pete And Jay wrote that. I thought it was more classic 60s a la Barry Ryan but with dark lyrics. I asked Tony Visconti if he’d consider doing the strings for it and told him we had no budget and so not to feel obligated just because we’re friends. When he heard the song he said I love it, I’m doing it! He did a fantastic job. The pizzicato in the second verse is genius. Maybe that’s what gives it a Bowie vibe for some people.

Will there be a single released to promote the album or in this day and age of streaming sites is this an outdated concept?

The song Summertime will be the first single – released June 23.

Photo courtesy of Nigel Adams

You’re invited to talk about the album on the radio & they ask you to play 3 songs from it, which 3 would you pick to best promote it?

How Do You Say Goodbye? (To Someone You Love), Izitme and Flying (The Beautiful Blue) probably.

You’re currently playing a guest slot on the European Mission dates, how have the new tracks come to life live & which have made it into the set?

We want to do a lot of the new album when we go out live and The Mish tour has been the perfect opportunity to start working them in. So far we’ve done How Do You Say Goodbye?, Cry For You and Flying. And we’re using loops live on the new songs – something we’ve never done before.

Your solo album “Everything’s Getting Closer To Being Over” is getting a second lease of life with the release of it on gorgeous blue vinyl …. Are there any plans for a follow up?

Yes. It’s going to be called The Other Side Of The World and I’ve written the title track. It’s about my brother who was recently diagnosed with a horrible terminal illness called Pick’s Disease. It’s had a massive impact on my life.

You recently did another informal show with Smiley, was this as fun (& chaotic) as the Thursday night pre-Gathering show?

Even more so I’d say! I think we’re going to start making them a regular feature – we have such a laugh doing them, they’re easy – just pick a town the night before The Alarm are playing.

2 blokes walk into a bar....

It’s already proving to be a massively busy year for you, two new Alarm albums, 2 UK tours , the first American Gatherings, the prestigious Vans tour, more festivals than you could throw a camp fire at, Holy Holy tour, Gene Loves Jezebel album and live dates…..and I see there is also demos in preparation for a new Chelsea album! What can you tell us about that and are there other projects that I haven’t mentioned?

Well there might be some International Swingers shows too! LOL. Yeah it’s a crazy juggling act. I’m flying back from The Alarm US tour for one day on July 24 to film a Sky Art’s TV show with Holy Holy. And now GLJ is going to start to get busy again – crazy – but I love it.

“Blood Red” seems to have been a slow burner with most now fully embracing the album and some heralding it as one of The Alarms best what is your opinion of it?

I think Mike’s written some great songs for it. I didn’t play guitar on Blood Red at all, only Viral Black. I thought Tomorrow should have been the single – love playing that live. As you know I’ve been playing mostly bass with The Alarm recently because Craig’s been out with The Mish – and Jules has been playing keys. It’s been great having her on board.

This is the album most have taken to be the more personal release of the pair of albums being released this year what can you tell us about “Viral Black”?

Well as you’d expect it’s darker, very black. It has the song Two Rivers on it which is already becoming a live monster.

Were the sessions recorded for both albums simultaneously & if this is the case does “Viral Black” see you again on bass?

I think I played a bit of bass – but George Williams the producer did most. I played guitar on Viral Black. Though MP played a lot of guitar too. No they were recorded separately, Blood Red first. Viral Black we recorded in Liverpool.

For many it’s been strange seeing you playing bass on the recent tour & festival run, how have you been finding it?

Well I love playing bass. I played bass in bands at school and on tons of records, I did a lot on The Alarm “Bond”. I’ve always had a couple of basses at home so it’s like riding a bike really…..



How hard did you look for the rare Gibson bass that matches your beloved Les Paul?

I knew I had to have one. They made 209 white ones in the 70s. Managed to track on down in London thankfully.

When rehearsing for the Gathering what advice, if any, did Craig give you?

Craig plays bass his way, me my way. I have massive respect for Craig as a bassist but we approach the instrument quite differently. I will always definitely, primarily be a guitar player.

The 2 American Gatherings & World Record Store Day events seem to have been a massive success, what are your thoughts about them?

They were just fantastic fun to do. Everyone was positive about the new line-up with me playing bass and it was just a great time. And when I pick up my Les Paul for the solo at the end of Two Rivers – the final song in the set – it feels like I’m releasing a whole set worth of lead into that one solo – because it’s the only solo I play in the set! LOL

Mike said that they would be happening again, can you confirm whether they will become an annual event and if so will it be held in the same cities each year?

I can’t confirm that – that would be Mike’s call.

The band are just about to embark on one of its biggest American tours being part of the Vans tour…. Do you know yet if you will be returning to the guitar for these dates and if so who will be playing bass?

Photo courtesy Cathi Simpson

I will be playing bass. Jules will be on board and I’ll play guitar on about four songs – that’s the way the band is right now. I think of The Alarm as MP as the nucleus of the band, with a floating line-up around him.

With such a full year already planned do you know what’s happening next with Holy Holy….are there plans to take the Ziggy Stardust show to America or Europe?

I’m sure there will be more Holy Holy in the UK and Europe this year. I think the USA will be next year.

If Woody asked you to pick another classic Bowie release to feature for the next tour what would your choice be?

Would have to be Aladdin Sane wouldn’t it?

With being out and about so much this year what has been keeping you entertained musically, do you get much of a chance to hear new music?

Not really. Woody loves that band Rival Sons – they’re good and I’ve been listening to them a bit.

What do you choose to do when you have those rare moments of down time?

I’m trying to finish my book. But finding the time is so difficult. But I’m getting there. I think it will be an interesting read. There was so much I’d forgotten, but I kept a diary so all these stories are written down and now I’m remembering and re-discovering them. Many are pretty hilarious, and some are sad. It a no holds bard, warts and all, honest story, I hope.

Catch Gene Loves Jezebel at the Black Heart, Camden, London on June 26th, buy the new single "Summertime" digitally from June 23rd and the awesome new album "Dance Underwater" from June 30th.

James, thank you once again for your time and for being a gent!

Photo  courtesy of Nigel Adams

James Stevenson And The West London All Stars

After whetting everyone's appetite at The Gathering with how well material from his début solo album translated live James Stevenson is just about to take to the stage for his first full solo live show when his West London All Stars play The Water Rats in London on December 17th. It seemed a good time to try and get a sneak peek into what we can expect on the night as well as a brief insight into 2016!

You’re just about to do your first full solo gig….what’s taken you so long?!

Well to be honest I always just wanted to be a good side-man – but then I made my solo album and am very proud of it – so I want as many people as possible to hear it. Doing gigs was the next logical step.

So why now?

Well it’s just timing – it took me twenty years to get my solo album together too!

James Stevensons West London All Stars…can you reveal the line up of the band yet?

Still firming up a few things. But Mark Taylor obviously – I couldn’t do it without him. Chris Bell from GLJ on drums. The Rebelles are covering BVs and Terry Edwards is helping out on sax and stuff.

What can we expect from the set, will it focus mainly on material from your album or will it include tracks from across your career?

I will be my whole album

Will there be any covers in the set?

No covers – I didn’t feel that was appropriate right now – it might lead the set in the wrong direction.

Will this be the start of more solo live dates?

I hope so.

You will be supported by the Rebelles and Spizzology, the Rebelles feature both Tracie Hunter and of course your good lady wife and supported the International Swingers so were a pretty obvious ( but welcome) choice, what about Spizz?

Spizz is an old mate. He was the promoter’s idea.

Will you be premiering any new material?

Not at this gig – it is my first after all!

Are the All Stars for the night on stage for the full gig or might you have the odd friend pop on for a song or two?

I might…..

Holy Holy head overseas in January to America, what are the rest of the plans for the band in 2016?

Well Tony (Visconti) is very enthusiastic about taking the band on the road so there will definitely be a lot more action in 2016 than there was in 2015 – now the band is properly up and running.

You come back just before The Gathering, Smiley has said he has the set list and doesn’t know half of it! Is there any more you can reveal?

Well the set is a long way off being finalised. There will be a few surprises as well as the obvious hits.

Are you looking forward to going out as The Alarm again for the Stranglers dates?

Always love being on the road.

It looks like a busy year for Chelsea too with not one, not two but three Anthologies announced (so far!) what can we expect on them and do you know yet what of the live dates you’ll be appearing at?

Not sure. Plastic Head have really got behind Chelsea which is great. The summer looks like it might be a bit of a juggling act. The Cult replaced me with a keyboard player! So although it was great touring with them it does end up being one less thing to juggle.

The International Swingers debut is now in peoples houses and is a great album, is there talk of further live dates or even a follow up already?

The album isn't officially released so a follow up is probably a way off – but live dates hopefully in the spring some time.

It’s the end of the year so what albums have made your playlists this year?

Nothing much has floated my boat at all – sorry to be unenthusiastic – especially not by Sandi Thom! LOL

James Stevenson, as always, thank you so much....see you on the 17th!

Order your tickets HERE!

James Stevenson Holy Holy Interview

James Stevenson isn't a man who likes to sit still so as he prepares to embark on tour with the highly successful Bowie themed Holy Holy I caught up with him to find out what makes the whole project tick!

 For those that still haven't had the chance to pick up James' fantastic debut album "Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over" it has recently had a physical release via Plastic Head ,which means it will be easier for you to get hold off via Amazon and the like (see links at the bottom of this interview).

With the live Holy Holy Album "The Man Who Sold The World - Live In London" due to be released tomorrow and their tour ready to kick off on the 12th it's time for James and I to talk all things Holy Holy!

Holy Holy started as a one off celebration of the classic early 70s Bowie period, how did it evolve into a much more ambitious touring project?

Well really because we all enjoyed doing it so much. The Latitude Festival in 2013 where I got Clem in was great but then Woody Woodmansey himself got in touch and said he'd be interested in getting involved - and then Tony Visconti - it just snowballed.

Why was "The Man Who Sold The World" chosen to play in full when the more obvious albums would surely have been "Ziggy" or "Aladdin Sane"?

Well because of Tony Visconti's involvement. He produced and played bass on TMWSTW. After that album he moved on to T.Rex etc...

The venues on last years tour ranged from pub to club to much bigger venues like the Shepherds Bush Empire; was it liberating to have that different connection with the audience?

Well as I've said many times my favourite thing to do is to walk on stage and play my guitar - whether it's to 100 people or 1000. Every dynamic is different. Liberating probably isn't the word. I usually enjoy any gig I do no matter how large or how small.

Surely that is something you experience when touring with Chelsea or The Alarm and then playing festivals like Coachella with The Cult?

Well yeah. But Chelsea just did this gig at a pub in Gateshead called The Three Tuns and it was electrifying, Coachella was so full of young rich kids it was a drag. It sells out every year before they announce the line-up of bands- that says it all IMO about how much the music matters!

Do you approach them differently?

No. It feels a bit different but you approach them the same. You walk on and do what you do. I remember feeling a bit intimidated at Milton Keynes when GLJ supported Bowie in front of 60,000. But you always give it your best shot whether you're playing to 100 or 100,000 people.

Did you have any input into what tracks made it into the second set?

With Holy Holy? Yes, of course. For me it's a dream come true to play with legends like Woody and Tony. I spent my entire adolescence listening to their records. So now to walk on stage and play with them is an absolute honour. I was really keen to get "Suffragette City" and "Rock And Roll Suicide" in there - which were debated at first by the band.

The band throughout the tour was fairly stable with the addition of the odd surprise guest like Marc Almond at Shepherds Bush but then changed for the Xmas shows presumably due to availability. Did this give the shows a different feel or is it one of the strengths of a project like Holy Holy?

Very different. The thing is we like to get out and do the show but quite often Tony, Glenn or Steve Norman isn't available. The we have to go out with a different line up - like a second version of the group - and play smaller venues because we haven't got all the big names in tow.

What differences are there to the band for the new tour?

Well Steve Norman has taken off again with Spandau. I'm so pleased for him - no-one deserves it more. I was just in Australia visiting my brother and took him to their show in Melbourne. They were absolutely fuckin brilliant! So we've got Terry Edwards doing Steve's gig. But he's very different to Steve. They're both incredible musicians but Terry brings his own stuff to the party. It's all good.

The tour kicks off with the Isle of Wight Festival, what have you got planned for the festival crowd?

Well Suzanne Vega is getting up for The Man Who Sold The World - so I'm definitely looking forward to that.

How will the rest of the tour differ from last year? Will it be a similar set giving those who missed it last year a chance to experience the show?

Kind of. Marc Almond is doing a lot of the gigs. He was electrifying at Shepherd's Bush last year - so that's fantastic. There will be The Man Who Sold The World in it's entirety of course - but the second set will have a few surprises.

This year you also get to break out from the UK and head over to Tokyo, will there be more international dates to come?

I hope so. I love playing in this band so as far as I'm concerned the more we do the better.

June 1st sees the release of the double live "Live at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire" CD, were multiple shows recorded or was this always intended to be the one that would be released?

It was always just going to be that gig. My friend Richard Den Berg shot it - six cameras. We didn't have that anywhere else.

You played your first solo set at The Gathering this year with the "From The Alarm" set  showcasing the solo work of Craig, Smiley and yourself which was amazing. Did you enjoy it?

Well thanks for saying you enjoyed it. For me it was FANTASTIC. I'd love to do more but I have the seven piece band to do my record justice - and that's kinda cost prohibitive. My mate Martin Kelly who used to own Heavenly Records said if I made my album, even in the mid 90s, I'd have had every label chasing me with their cheque books out! LOL. Times have changed. I'd love to make a second album but I'm not sure if I can afford to do it. The whole industry is so fucked up.

That evening you expressed that you definitely wanted to play more solo live dates, is that any closer to being realised?

Hmmmm - well that depends... I wish there weren't economic considerations....but sadly there are.

The new Chelsea album "Saturday Night Sunday Morning" seems to be getting a buzz about it already, what are your thoughts on it?

Well I love the record. Nic Austin replaced me when I left in 1980 so it was great to work with him. He's a fantastic songwriter. He wrote "Fuck All" and Something Wrong In Yer Head" surely future punk classics. It's a great record - if I say so myself.

How much of the Chelsea tour will you make before you have to switch over to Holy Holy?

After the 100 Club 5th June I have to bail. Sad but true.

The Cult are working on a new album currently, will you be involved in the live dates again or is that a conversation that hasn't happened yet?

They're taking a keyboard player out for the new shows in June and to promote their new album in the autumn - their call of course - I love playing in the band but I have so much going on, one less to juggle is a relief in some ways. I'm actually in L.A. right now and went riding (motorbike not horse! LOL) with Billy today. I think something fresh might be good for The Cult - but who knows what the future holds?

Finally, we've been promised a new Alarm album for next year...is there anything you can tell us about it yet?

No idea! Sorry, ask Mike! But I think the actual band will tour the UK in Spring 2016!

James Stevenson, as always, thank you!

To Order "Saturday Night Sunday Morning" by Chelsea click HERE!

To Order "The Man Who Sold The World - Live In London" by Holy Holy click HERE!

To Order "Everything's Getting Closer To Being Over" by James Stevenson click HERE!