Jim started his musical journey at the age of 10 in 1994. One evening in April he began to ask some questions. Who was this man? What did he do? Why is he dead? Soon after a news bulletin. He embarked on legend that is Kurt Cobain. He listened to Nirvana religiously and loved how angry and powerful the music was. At 11 years old the guitar was calling and Jim got his first. After a few months of intense finger stretching, he had exhausted what he could learn by Himself. As part of his guitar ...
Jim started his musical journey at the age of 10 in 1994. One evening in April he began to ask some questions. Who was this man? What did he do? Why is he dead? Soon after a news bulletin. He embarked on legend that is Kurt Cobain. He listened to Nirvana religiously and loved how angry and powerful the music was. At 11 years old the guitar was calling and Jim got his first. After a few months of intense finger stretching, he had exhausted what he could learn by Himself. As part of his guitar tuition he was introduced to a massive band at the time that he disregarded. Oasis. He learnt real progressions and chords That seemed a familiar kind of songwriting as what he had heard before. He began singing and songwriting and played many gigs at his school. He was Introduced to a local musician who ran many youth events and he entered Jim and his friend Dan into many festivals and competitions all over the country. Still only 13 Jim loved the buzz of playing live and wanted to play forever. He played many gigs with Dan as part of acoustic duo, Space fish and Got residence of a local pub at the age of 14 and got £60 a night plus free beer. Jim knew that playing covers in a duo wouldn’t get him very far so he Teamed up with 17 yr old Pete Williams & his brother Steve (20). Jim was introduced to The Stone Roses, the sea horses, the charlatans, Blur and many others and this period really developed Jim as a songwriter. He had a few 'dead' years of music from 15-17yrs where he got into the usual stuff, Booze, Women, drugs, stolen cars & fighting. This period really opened his eyes into the adult world and soon realised what the fuck he was doing. He started a music college Diploma at 17 whilst working at a transport depot. He met loads of new musician at college and got into a new full band, The Undergrade. Jim got into The Doors, The Beatles, The kinks and lots of other 60's music and mostly lots of weed. The band went from strength to strength. They won Leicestershire Battle of The Bands and got there first demo recorded. All members were really talented and had the taste for success. There was no stopping them. The got selected from 500 bands to go on a UK tour with a top promoter. Supported The Bluetones, British Sea Power, The Ordinary Boys, Amy Winehouse, John Power (Ex La's & Cast), Kasabian and many more. They met Sam Young from London who introduced the boys to many record labels that were really interested in the band and came to see many shows, not just in London but all over the UK. The pressure was building on the band and Jim was over eager and pushed the band harder and harder to get signed. This put tremendous strain on the band and commitments began to stray. They loved the attention, but were they happy? No. Jim was so committed to music; happiness didn’t come into the equation and was determined to work his bones to the ground to get noticed. In the end, the band split in 2005. The drummer George quit music and began a comedy career which he definitely had the talent for. The Others, Matt & Andy continued to write and do the things in music that made them happy. Jim always knew that he could do it alone but never really had the confidence before the band. Jim has been writing new songs with a style similar to what made The Undergrade a hit. He has had loads of airplay in Australia and got into the chart there. His recording quality wasn’t up to scratch so; he has been working and recording in Manchester with a top producer Tim Whetson recently. He played this years IN THE CITY in Manchester and has done London, Leicester & Manchester shows since being a solo artist. Jim finds solo work much more rewarding and gets more appreciated for his powerful unique voice, comic lyrics and eye-catching performance. If you haven’t already, catch him at a show or see his videos. He will be putting out more music soon.
show more...
