Na rock’nroll nejste nikdy moc starý, říká kytarista punk veteránů Chelsea

James, how do you remeber these moments? You were 17 years old, was it your first musician experience? How did you join the punk movement and how did you felt atmosphere of the times?

I was at school – I was listening to The Ramones and The New York Dolls. When punk happened in London I wanted to be part of it. Only problem back then was if you wore a leather jacket everyone wanted to fight you.

In 1980 you were touring with Generation X as a lead guitarist. Generation X broke up in early 1981 and you were the part of band’s life. How did you start cooperation with band and which memories do you got for these tours?

I really enjoyed my time in Gen X. Everyone knew everyone back then. Tony James rand me and asked if I wanted to be in the band still. I’d auditioned a couple of months before.

In 1981 you started to work with Kim Wilde and you were cooperating with here on here first two albums which included international hit „Kids in America“. These records are pop rock / new wave style. How was to work in these project and how were the reactions on your work with Kim?

Kim is a wonderful person – and really good fun. But I missed playing live. I only did TV shows with Kim.

In 1982 you formed project Hot Club with former Sex Pistol’s bassist Glen Matlock. Could you tell us something about this project?

I formed Hot Club with Glen because I wanted to get out and play live.

Big part of your work is cooperation with post-punk band Gene Loves Jezebel. Could you introduce to us this project and tell us something about history and your work with the band? As far I know band is still active and recording new stuff.

Well there are two versions of the band so it’s a bit of a mess. I work with Jay – the Red Haired twin who sand most of the songs. Original bassist Pete Rizzo and drummer Chris Bell are in our version. Jay’s twin Michael has his own version based in LA. We just released our first studio album in 14 years Dance Underwater.

You are also doing a production Which artist you have been cooperating with? I know about Beki’s Bondage from Vice Squad solo album Cold Turkey. Which artist were working with you?

I haven’t done any production for a while. I’ve been too busy on the road. I produced Chelsea singer Gene October’s solo album Life And Struggle and Jay Aston from gene Loves Jezebel’s solo album Unpopular Songs.

Another topic from your career is world tour which you did with The Cult during 1994 and 1995. How is usually world tour with really big rock band? How is life of the musician on this big events? Could you tell us some secrets form the life on the tour?

Billy Duffy is a very old friend. I played with them in 2013 – 2014 as well. I play rhythm guitar in The Cult – whereas I’m usually lead guitarist. So it’s a good challenge to back Billy and play good rhythm guitar.

In 1998 Mike Peters from The Alarm, Welsh alternative rock / new wave band were reforming the band and you join the band. Could you also introduce this project which is not so much know at Czech republic event band for example cooperated with U2?

Well I was working with Mike for two years before he decided to use The Alarm name again. I’ve been playing with him ever since.

Which projects are you active nowadays? It seem like you got lot of energy and like to try new things. As far as list of your projects and band you were working with is very huge.

Yes, the older I get the busier I get! Chelsea, The Alarm, Gene Loves Jezebel with Jay Aston, Holy Holy with Woody Woodmansey and Toni Visconti and The International Swingers with Clem Burke and also Daphne Guinness.

How do you feel difference between punk movement years ago and now? Do you got feeling that punk bands should be provocating mainstream and society or do you feel punk movement only as a music subculture where is now no social message?

Well punk has been around for forty years now and things do change. I think a lot of young bands are still true to the original ideals.

I am very interested about your supergroup The International Swingers with vocalist Gary Twinn and drummer Clem Burke. Could you tell us about this band?

Yes, I love it. But we’re all very busy doing other things so we usually just play gigs when we’re all in LA. Clem is an amazing drummer and we’re very proud of the album.

You are 40 years active on the stage, do you thing there is some moment when man got to be too old for the rock’n’roll or do you still love it with the same enthusiasm?

Never too old to rock n roll mate.