Stutter

Stutter was recorded at Liverpool’s Amazon Studios in the winter of 1985 following James’ decision to leave Factory for Sire’s offshoot Blanco y Negro after the successful EPs Jimone and James II and a protracted bidding war.

James had originally wanted Brian Eno to produce the sessions, but he was unavailable at the time and the role of producer went to Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith band.  On release, he was widely accused by the press of knocking the corners off James sound in the studio.

Looking back, the band recognise that they did not let Kaye do the job he was brought in for. The band’s inexperience in the studio and their bloody mindedness instilled by Paul did not allow outsiders to tinker. Tim refused to allow any effects to be used on his vocals.

Lost Innocence was the original title for Stutter, but this was changed a month or so before the release.

When the album was released, James did not tour to promote it, having toured the UK earlier in 1986. With hindsight the band regret this as being a poor method of promotion.  Sire were disappointed by the album seeing it as too English (whatever that means) to reach a mass audience and the promotion of the album was restricted.  It still managed to hit number 68 in the album charts, a fairish performance given the less favourable climate for Indie at the time.

Reflecting on the album, James regret now not having done their debut album for Factory – most of the songs on the album were already two to three years old and were familiar from radio sessions and concerts. Tim is still proud of the album but has been quoted on several occasions as wondering what he was singing about at times.

• Billy’s Shirts :1986
• Black Hole :1986
• Johnny Yen :1986
• Just Hip :1986
• Really Hard :1986
• Scarecrow :1986
• Skullduggery :1986
• So Many Ways :1986
• Summer Song :1986
• Why So Close :1986
• Withdrawn :1986

Open in Spotify

• So Many Ways

• 1982 – 1989: One Man Clapping
• The List Gig Guide (Edinburgh/Glasgow)
• James Interview – Sounds
• Growing Up In The Big Pond – Record Mirror
• Jimmy Jimmy (Unknown Interview)
• Tour And So Many Ways News – Melody Maker
• James : A Bunch Of Clever Yobbos – Smash Hits
• Radio Manchester – Interview
• News Article – Sounds
• Debris Fanzine Interview
• The Gentle Touch – Melody Maker
• NME So Many Ways News
• Four Imaginary Boys – NME
• Record Mirror – “We Want To Be As Big As Coca Cola”

• Liverpool University – 4th December 1986
• Manchester Capri Rooms – 1st December 1986
• Bristol Bierkeller – 26th November 1986
• Swansea University – 25th November 1986
• Frankfurt Batschkapp – 20th November 1986
• Hamburg Logo – 18th November 1986
• Cologne Luxor – 17th November 1986
• Utrecht Tivoli – 14th November 1986
• London, Kingston Polytechnic – 11th November 1986
• Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre – 9th November 1986
• Brighton Pavilion Theatre – 8th November 1986
• Portsmouth Polytechnic – 6th November 1986
• Birmingham Burberries – 4th November 1986
• Burnley Mechanics Club – 27th October 1986
• Salford University – 24th October 1986
• London ICA – 11th October 1986
• London ICA – 10th October 1986
• London ICA – 9th October 1986
• London ICA – 8th October 1986
• Blackburn King George’s Hall – 19th September 1986
• Dundee Dance Factory – 17th August 1986
• Aberdeen The Venue – 16th August 1986
• Edinburgh Hoochie Coochie – 15th August 1986
• Glasgow Daddy Warbucks – 14th August 1986
• Bristol Clevedon Kenn Moor WOMAD – 19th July 1986
• Manchester PSV Club – 15th July 1986
• London LSE – 26th June 1986
• Leeds Ritzy – 24th June 1986
• Manchester Town Hall – 7th June 1986
• London Porchester Hall – 27th March 1986
• Liverpool unknown venue – 14th February 1986