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Following the move from Factory to Sire and the release of the Chain Mail (Sit Down) EP, James released their debut album Stutter 39 years ago in July 1986.
Skullduggery / Scarecrow / So Many Ways / Just Hip / Johnny Yen / Summer Song / Really Hard / Billy’s Shirts / Why So Close / Withdrawn / Black Hole
| Release Name: | Stutter |
| Artist Name: | James |
| Release Date: | 21st July 1986 |
| Format: | Studio Album |
| Catalogue: | LP – JIMLP1, CAS – JIMC1, CD – 7599-25437-2 |
Stutter was recorded at Liverpool’s Amazon Studios in the winter of 1985 following James’ decision to leave Factory for Sire’s offshoot Blanco y Negro after the successful EPs Jimone and James II and a protracted bidding war.
James had originally wanted Brian Eno to produce the sessions, but he was unavailable at the time and the role of producer went to Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith band. On release, he was widely accused by the press of knocking the corners off James sound in the studio.
Looking back, the band recognise that they did not let Kaye do the job he was brought in for. The band’s inexperience in the studio and their bloody mindedness instilled by Paul did not allow outsiders to tinker. Tim refused to allow any effects to be used on his vocals.
Lost Innocence was the original title for Stutter, but this was changed a month or so before the release.
When the album was released, James did not tour to promote it, having toured the UK earlier in 1986. With hindsight the band regret this as being a poor method of promotion. Sire were disappointed by the album seeing it as too English (whatever that means) to reach a mass audience and the promotion of the album was restricted. It still managed to hit number 68 in the album charts, a fairish performance given the less favourable climate for Indie at the time.
Reflecting on the album, James regret now not having done their debut album for Factory – most of the songs on the album were already two to three years old and were familiar from radio sessions and concerts. Tim is still proud of the album but has been quoted on several occasions as wondering what he was singing about at times.
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It was getting slippery onstage too, by the time James got there to dish out samples of their forthcoming album – destined to be another of the year’s best along with those from The Smiths and Woodentops. Apart from Tim’s raving, moving vocals and leg jerks, Jimmy’s pushy, bendy bass and Gavin’s busy and complicated drumming, there was this evening’s outstanding Jamesian element – Larry’s guitar playing. Whenever James play these days a new layer opens up, and this time it was through his fretwork exploration – segments of West African, bits of British folk, and techniques improvised out of nowhere.
James melodies and lyrics inhabit a kind of cultural subconscious, but the power of a Johnny Yen or a So Many Ways is no less real for having said that. Because of it, in fact, James go further to satisfying any hunger for newness – they’re verging on the poetic.
promo tape of the Stutter album. Same tracklisting but different song titles for Summer Song and Withdrawn.
Skullduggery / Scarecrow / So Many Ways / Just Hip / Johnny Yen / Summer Song / Really Hard / Billy’s Shirts / Why So Close / Withdrawn / Black Hole
| Release Name: | Stutter promo tape |
| Artist Name: | |
| Release Date: | 1st July 1986 |
| Format: | Promo Album |
| Catalogue: | tbd |
promo tape of the Stutter album. Same tracklisting but different song titles for Summer Song and Withdrawn.
In-house Townhouse studio acetate for Stutter album.
Skullduggery / Scarecrow / So Many Ways / Just Hip / Johnny Yen / Summer Song / Really Hard / Billy’s Shirts / Why So Close / Withdrawn / Black Hole
| Release Name: | Stutter acetate |
| Artist Name: | |
| Release Date: | 1st July 1986 |
| Format: | Promo Album |
| Catalogue: | n/a |
In-house Townhouse studio acetate for Stutter album.
See attached press clipping.
Are You Ready / Scarecrow / Really Hard / Hup-Springs / Billy’s Shirts / Summer Song / Vulture / Chain Mail / Black Hole / Johnny Yen / Wonderful / Stutter
The Railway Children
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Uprising / Scarecrow / What’s The World / Doubts / Billy’s Shirts / So Many Ways / Summer Song / Stowaway (Reggae Cowboy) / Drunkard / Vulture / Really Hard / Wonderful / Chain Mail / Withdrawn
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From Maninthecornershop (off a Leeds forum)
By now they were doing well, indy charts and a bit of press, ‘The Next Big Thing. As my mate Dave was want to say,’There’s a buzz on the band.’ Half the football lads in East Leeds turned out for this one. James Brown fronted the excellent but short lived Butter Cookies a sort of Hank Williams meets Half Man Half Biscuit and gets the ale in type band as support. They went over quite well, the student/football crowd were mixing well and good night looked in the offing. Some band from Sheffield who sounded and indeed looked like The Icicle Works were on next and got everyone tapping their toes. By the time James took the stage the ale had been flowing freely and, sadly, the local bikers who were doing security had been throwing their weight around. It was only a matter of time. It’s hard to understand as the lads loved the band but the tention of some was directed at the band. Fights started and yes, some innocent students caught some shit. One biker got put through a cig machine face first and the gig almost collapsed. Tim and the boys battled on gamely. Ironically the music, such a frenzy sound tracked the violence. I was mad as hell, drunk and just let myself go, dancing like a loon. It was gonna end in tears. Keenan, the promoter grabbed me and threatened me with the bouncers if it didn’t stop. To this day I have no idea why he grabbed me. At the time, these were my band, in my back yard. I was fucking pissed the way things were going. I got on stage grabbed Tim’s mike and said if things didn’t calm down the gig would end. Bit of a surprise for all concerned. Things calmed down – relative term. The band continued, getting lost in the music and producing a storming set. Maybe the tension in the air served as some kind of creative force? Whatever. Things came to a head with the drums going over, Tim saying, Thanks a lot Leeds it’ll never happen again.’ aand the boucers running for their lives. It got very hairy outside after, cars going over and running street fights. I saw Scottie talking to Tim after, upstairs, I smiled at him and shook my head. he responded the same. I’ve since challenged Kennan about his action that night and he said I stood out and he panicked. First and foremost I was and stil am a music fan. He didn’t need the threats. Help me would have sufficed.
Inspite of everything it was a good gig. The Jesus And Mary Chain had contrived riots those veggie munching Mancs had the real deals.
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