Biography
In the mid-'80s, comparisons frequently linked James vocalist Tim Booth to the Smiths' Morrissey. Although the Smiths and James shared a penchant for folksy guitar pop, Booth avoided the kind of anguished reflections on existence and romance that defined Morrissey's style. Booth assembled James in 1982 alongside Paul Gilbertson on guitar, Jim Glennie on bass, and Gavan Whelan on drums. College radio provided consistent exposure for the group across the '80s, allowing a dedicated following to build steadily. James revisited "Sit Down" in 1991, and the track emerged as the band's breakthrough on American alternative rock outlets. The buoyant "Sit Down," a regular centerpiece of James live shows, helped separate the band from accusations that it merely imitated the Smiths. Three years afterward, "Laid" achieved widespread success on MTV and American airwaves, while James also appeared at Woodstock '94.
Booth teamed with composer Angelo Badalamenti during the summer of 1994 for the Booth and the Bad Angel project, an idea first floated in the early '90s. Booth voiced his desire to collaborate with Badalamenti during an appearance on the British television program Friday Night at the Dome. Badalamenti had no prior knowledge of Booth's music, however, so the two did not meet until 1993, when a James performance in London, England, brought them together face to face. Booth and the Bad Angel arrived in 1996. Once that endeavor concluded, Booth resumed work with James, issuing Whiplash in 1997 and Millionaires in 1999.
With the arrival of the new millennium, Booth departed James to explore individual endeavors. He immersed himself in dance and meditation before returning to acting, most notably with a role in Christopher Nolan's 2005 film Batman Begins, and issued his first solo effort, Bone, in 2004. Booth rejoined James three years later for a tour that grew into a complete reunion, launched by 2008's Hey Ma. James issued a pair of EPs in 2010, after which Booth delivered his second solo album, Love Life, during the spring of 2011.
Booth teamed with composer Angelo Badalamenti during the summer of 1994 for the Booth and the Bad Angel project, an idea first floated in the early '90s. Booth voiced his desire to collaborate with Badalamenti during an appearance on the British television program Friday Night at the Dome. Badalamenti had no prior knowledge of Booth's music, however, so the two did not meet until 1993, when a James performance in London, England, brought them together face to face. Booth and the Bad Angel arrived in 1996. Once that endeavor concluded, Booth resumed work with James, issuing Whiplash in 1997 and Millionaires in 1999.
With the arrival of the new millennium, Booth departed James to explore individual endeavors. He immersed himself in dance and meditation before returning to acting, most notably with a role in Christopher Nolan's 2005 film Batman Begins, and issued his first solo effort, Bone, in 2004. Booth rejoined James three years later for a tour that grew into a complete reunion, launched by 2008's Hey Ma. James issued a pair of EPs in 2010, after which Booth delivered his second solo album, Love Life, during the spring of 2011.
Albums
