Ian Gregg - vocals / guitar
David Hopkins - lead guitar
Nick Gibbons - bass guitar
Philip Powell - standing drums (1)
Vicky Richardson - violin
Arthur Watts - drums (2)
Mac Macleod - guest lead guitar
Phil Barnard - drums (3)
Originally conceived nearly 20 years ago by Ian Gregg with Elaine and Jane. They parted ways and Dave, Nick and Philip joined the band.
A two track flexi was recorded and a 1000 copies given away with a fanzine called Sowing seeds. Following this a 3-track cass-single was issued.
The first vinyl single was released in 1988 on Autumn Glow records and got to the position of 21 in the indie music sales chart. Philip Powell was replaced by Arthur Watts on drums.
Following this was the 12" release of Clearlake on Plastic Head Records and then the band signed to EL records, a division of Cherry Red. Another 12" was released on this label.
The Band toured and played gigs with the likes of McCarthy, Corn Dollies, The Chairs, The Wolfhounds etc.
Arthur Watts then left as drummer and Phil Barnard was recruited, a close school friend and they'd played in bands together before.
Following a few London gigs, things quietened down as normal life and relationships came along. Folk legend Mac Macleod stepped in on lead guitar for a while and a demo was recorded.
Tracks have also appeared on some twee and jangle pop compilations. The original vinyl singles are very sought after and command high prices on ebay.
Currently plans in the pipe-line include releasing a CD album of some old and new songs. Record labels in both Germany and the USA have approached us with their interest. Watch this space!
Discography:
World Weary & Wise / Oh, Grateful (Flexi single) Aug 1987
on (selfmade) - JDDE-1
1000 copies were pressed and 500 were given away with Sowing Seeds fanzine, Screen Goddess: Audrey Hepburn
- World Weary & Wise
- Oh, Grateful
Lonely Hearts XI Versus The Rest Of The World (Cassette) Jan 1988
on (selfmade) - JDDE-2
Screen Goddess is Brigitte Bardot
- Dean's Eleventh Dream
- Lonely Hearts XI Versus The Rest Of The World
- Drop Dead Darling
Dean's Eleventh Dream (7"vinyl) 1988
on Autumn Glow - AUT 001
Screen Goddess: Claudia Cardinale
- Dean's Eleventh Dream
- Tale OF An Old Flame
- Song To A Stranger
Clearlake Revisited (12"vinyl) 1989
on Plastic Head Records - PLASS 013
Screen Goddess: Rita Hayworth
- Clearlake Revisited
- Oh, Grateful
- Drop Dead Darling
- Ballad Of Bedford Town
Clearlake Revisited (Video) *See it here !*
Sean Connery (12")vinyl 1990
on El Label - GPO 45
Screen Goddess: Gina Lollabrigida
- Sean Connery
- Never Means Enything
- Hicksville USA
- World Weary And Wise
On compilations:
Bellisimo - El singles part 2 (CD)
on - El records MONDE12CD (available from www.cherryred.co.uk)
- Sean Connery
Somethings Burning In Paradise (Cassette)
on Subtle -
- Drop Dead Darling
NOTE
The Ruth Ellis Swing Band connection is purely due to them being another band played in by the early drummer.
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James Dean Driving Experience's Friend Space (Top 16)
Hello James Dean Driving Experience! many thank you for being a friend.i really love your music since 80's! so,very happy the add as a friend. best wishes.
I'm not sure when I first heard James Dean Driving Experience. If I had to guess, I'd say it was on the "There's Something Burning in Paradise" cassette a while back. The demo version for "Drop Dead Darling" reminded me of The Smiths and The Magnetic Fields, two of my favorite bands. So, after hearing that one song, I was hooked.
I spent the next few years tracking down, by any means possible, all of the JDDE releases. Some of them cost a fortune ... but, they're entirely worth it. Hearing the 12"s for the first time ... what can I say? The songs are outstanding. The "Dean's Eleventh Dream" single? Amazing. I couldn't stop listening to "Song to a Stranger" for months. When I finally found the flexi-disc, I was elated. I never thought I would! Patience is a virtue, I guess!
Just last week, I decided to search for JDDE on Myspace ... I figured that there was maybe a 1% chance there'd be a page for them on here. The Rosehips have one ... heck, so do The Vaselines! So, imagine my surprise when the search results came up and I saw the link for this!
Thank you, James Dean Driving Experience, for everything. It is just a shame that the band wasn't more widely-received. Seems that things are changing, though - your records sell for small fortunes on eBay and whatnot, and hopefully that compilation CD will be out sooner rather than later! With its release, I hope that many more people will have the opportunity to hear one of the greatest bands ... not just of the 80's / c86 era, but ever (in my opinion!).
Loved El in 85 and 86 - it was like my private music scene as no-one I knew had heard of it or all the great artists on the label. Very sixties and London buses. Was well chuffed when all the CD reissues appeared later (although it went a bit mad with reissues obviously aimed at milking the Japanese market). Anyways - good to see you live and well - love the songs still.
Myspace is so funny- I wouldn't have expected the likes of an unforgotten favorite from ages ago to have a presence here, but I'm pleasantly surprised! I had a 12 inch single that I picked up during one of my jaunts to NY from NJ when I was growing up, I was always taking chances with sleeves and names I liked, and yours was a big winner. I still adore those songs! Anyway, my friend Mike (who I met online when he was searching out that JDDE 12 inch I just mentioned) told me you were on myspace, hence here I am. Thanks for the great tunes, and I wish you all the best!
Andy
