Episode 186 - Brian James of The Damned/Lords of the New Church/Solo

Brian James doesn't like to sit in one spot for too long. In the mid-70s he joined up with Rat Scabies and the gang to form the pioneering punk band The Damned. That band holds many firsts - first punk band signed to a major label, first punk band to release a single with "New Rose" in 1976, and the first to tour America. But, after an ill-fated second album, the band broke up and Brian went on to play guitar with his hero, Iggy Pop. After a couple years doing that, he joined forces with the great Stiv Bators to form the gothic pop/rock band Lords of the New Church which kept him busy through the 80s until Stiv's untimely death. Since then he's released solo albums, formed super groups like the Racketeers, and collaborated with everyone from Stewart Copeland to Duff McKagan. In here he tells stories about all of it, what punk means to him today, his gratitude for his family and even how Guns n Roses covering "New Rose" changed his fortunes. Enjoy!