From working with mystery Bristol trip hop duo Malakai (Island/ Universal Records, Domino Records) and Portishead honcho Geoff Barrow through to the heavier sound of Gunslinger Black (with Pitchshifters Mark Clayden and Matt Grundy), via Men From Mars which featured members of Robert Plants band The Strange Sensation, Massive Attack, Portishead and Cast – James knows how important it is to have the right tools to deliver whatever job is next, whether it’s playing Brixton Academy or a BBC session at Maida Vale.
His current regular gig with post hardcore band Cars On Fire (Undergroove Records) has seen a new album written and recorded as a follow up to the KKKK (Kerrang) mini album ‘Dig Your Own Grave’, sessions for Red Bull, a UK tour, an album launch in Dublin and festival appearances at Sonisphere, Hevy, Guilfest and Relentless/Vans Boardmasters all in the first 3 months.
James also balances this with his role as Head Of Drums at the Bristol Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) where he completed his PG Cert (Ed) and is now studying the process of coordination related to auditory, visual and kinesthetic response for an MA, is the Technical Editor for Drummer Magazine, is currently writing and recording at his own studio with bass player Damon Minchella (Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, The Who) and has published his first book, ‘Mind Over Meter’.
