On the old wearejames.com website, the band would periodically answer questions submitted by fans.
The following were answered by Jim in March 2002
From: Zac Steger
Since you have no label and no singer, what’s the first step for James following the tour? Will you be taking things at a slow pace, or do you already have an idea of what you wanna do? Any chance Kulas will be the singer?
Well in true James style, the first thing to do is take a break. Then when we all start getting bored, we’ll begin writing new material, and take things from there. No, Michael Kulas will not be the singer, he is no longer in James and is pursuing his solo career.
From: Chris Orton
Hi Jim, What would you like to do if you stopped being in a band? All the best, Chris
Oh you know – the usual stuff, astronaut, formula 1 driver, playing for Man City… Seriously though, probably nothing for awhile, then start another band.
From: Tim Allan
Will your future releases have the James ‘guitar based’ direction or will Tim’s departure give you the chance to try different styles, as you did with Money?
I don’t expect there to be any conscious change in style, but we are notoriously bad at controlling our musical direction, so who knows. I don’t think we’ll go down the “Money” path, though. That was fun while it lasted, but not really appropriate for James I don’t think.
From: Chris Brown
Jim, is there any particular moment, occasion or song that has made being in James for nearly 20 years such a worthwhile experience?
Ones that stand out: first getting Single of the Week, first gold disc (Gold Mother), first time on TOTP, selling out the Manchester Apollo where I’d seen my fave bands as a kid, Alton Towers, I could go on and on. Songs are harder, as my favourites change according to how well we are playing them at the moment. On the last tour it was Vervacious, but if I had to choose it would probably be Out to Get You, Sit Down, and Stutter, just for diversity’s sake really.
From: Augie
Who would your short-list of dream lead singers include?
Jim Morrison from the Doors, but until cloning is perfected that could be difficult. No one else really, just the lucky individual out there with the golden ticket awaiting his/her true calling. Please note: the term ‘golden ticket’ is meant figuratively and is not a legally binding offer of employment for anyone having or ever having had a ‘golden ticket’.
From: Andy Leitch
Jim, are you cross with Tim for leaving the band, and are the two of you going to keep in touch?
No I’m not cross with Tim. We’ve had too long a relationship for me not to respect his wishes on this one. Plus he’s handled it very graciously and has been as helpful and supportive as he could. Will we keep in touch? We’re both going to be pretty busy, but I imagine we will.
From: timeblind
Jim, have you ever considered fronting your own band?
[sound of me laughing out loud] Oh no, no, no! For one thing, my vocal abilities only stretch to shouting and telling jokes, plus I prefer to be the power-behind-the-throne Hillary Clinton type figure!
From: Martin Holden
What’s the best bass ever made, what amp do you use, and how did you get so good?
Well, that’s a taste call really. There are lots of incredibly expensive planks of wood out there all loved for very different reasons. I’ve got five I think, including an old Fender Precision that sounds great but is horrible to play (strictly studio). At home I play a Hohner acoustic bass that I picked up in NYC for $280 and sounds surprisingly good; and unlike most acoustic basses it doesn’t require forearms like Popeye to play it. But my bestest one is my Musicman Sterling, which is really light, very easy to play, and the tone controls go from woolly glove to metal plectrum. I’m not really much of a ‘gear-head’, and my set up is pretty simple: Ampeg valve amp and Ampeg 8×10 cab, I have been known to use a little distortion every now and again but never on a Sunday. How did I get so good? Well it’s very nice of you to say so. I think as with every instrument, the thing is not to get bogged down in the search for technical proficiency, but to use your ear, don’t be afraid to keep things simple if it sounds good it is good.
From: Allen James
Hi Jim, Will the departure of Tim mean a whole new look and sound? or will you strive to keep the current fan base content? Whatever the future holds for you all, I wish you success! See you in manchester, Allen James
No, I think we’ll be keeping our usual shambolic look, more’s the pity – why, have you any suggestions? As regards the sound, I imagine in theory at least there won’t be a huge departure, but considering the differences stylistically between, say, Top of the World and Jam J, we do have quite a lot of scope.
From: Paul Crabtree
Will you buy any of Tim Booth’s Solo albums? And will you keep in touch?
Well I should hope I’ll be given a copy! As for keeping in touch, see above.
From: Karla
What are the bands thoughts on reprising the Money project, how do you think your music will change w/o Tim’s influence, and do you have any plans on touring America? I have faith that whatever you guys do will rock!
I wouldn’t hold your breath for the next Money release if I were you, I think James is going to be pretty all consuming for a while at least. It’s kind of hard to say what will happen musically now, I feel confident in our ability to keep on writing great music, but exactly how this is going to turn out, who knows. We nearly came to the States last year to do a small acoustic tour, but nearly doesn’t really count does it. As soon as we’re fully functional we’d love to come, I think the acoustic path sounds fun, so maybe we’ll look in
Share:
