Archive TPOTT News
Here it is! The Wendy James New Album 2017 Pledge Campaign!
CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE
I’m half way through writing my next LP and this time, unlike ’The Price Of The Ticket’ where the record was already finished, this time my pledge campaign will take part in all the stages of making this record: From the writing, to the recording, to the mixing, to the mastering to the artwork and videos and finally a finished album! I will announce the title, the track listing, the band members and other all-important details! Along the way there will be the opportunity for studio visits, playback listening parties, live shows playing the new material, test pressings, original artwork, q&a live broadcasts and a certificate of contributors for those who would like their name included in the credits! The album is going come out on Regular CD, Deluxe CD with outtakes and bonus tracks, a Double Gatefold Vinyl containing all tracks and of course a Digital Download and I am certain there will be additional things I haven’t even anticipated yet! So… there is a lot of work to do! but it is all possible!
All the items that were still available from ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ campaign have moved onto this site, including the Picture Disc Vinyl individually numbered and signed within the vinyl itself. ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ continues to grow in reputation and I think there are even a few copies of my previous album ‘I Came Here To Blow Minds’ on CD and Vinyl too!
There is a lot here! So!
– As it has been said:
“Danceable art punk rhythm and blues, full of breathless New Wave rush. Razor sharp lyrics. Bare soul with beautiful harmony. An adrenaline fueled sound reminiscent of the Velvets or even a young Bobby D. The perfect cocktail of dirty blues and punk attitude. Sweet soul, arousing the lowdown groove that sparks the impressive and sensual sensation of Wendy James. Riffing garage pop/rock sliding. Seductive New Wave serenading. Quality boom and bap. Essential underground for your ears. Wendy James is for dancing like a jive-assed motherfucker. Every Song Is Dope”
“This is where it Counts. More Rock ‘N’ Roll, not one ounce of Fat or Bullshit on It!”
Thank you! and Much Love, Wendy
CLICK HERE TO PLEDGE
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET WENDY JAMES PLEDGE CAMPAIGN ANNIVERSARY UPDATE
Recollection and onwards…
A year ago today (19th February 2016) THE PRICE OF THE TICKET was released and entered the UK charts at No.15! THANK YOU to ALL of you who supported and loved this album! It was such a trip this album took!
From my bedroom in NYC writing the songs, demoing them up, meeting with James Williamson (The Stooges guitarist – Raw Power) and deciding to start recording with him and getting the wonderful James Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) on drums. Jim (in his finest three-piece suit!) and I flew to Berkeley, CA and checked into a hookers roadside motel with nothing but a 4 channel TV screwed into the mustard wall, a plastic cup for a toothbrush, an ancient shower and an ice-machine in the forecourt! We rendezvous’d with James Williamson in the parking lot and made our way to Fantasy Recording Studios where we were joined by the legendary saxophonist from Fun House by The Stooges Steve Mackay (R.I.P.) and our great engineer Jesse Nichols. After this, back in NYC, the album progressed yet further and Lenny Kaye (The Patti Smith Group) came on board as the guitarist for the body of the album and of course my dear friend Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) on bass.
How wonderful we all felt as we recorded! It was the depths of winter in New York City and distinctly I remember being up and out on Broadway at 8am each morning, through feets-high snow making my way to the East Village and, in part, Brooklyn to record with Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & The Voidoids) engineering… it was freezing! sub-zero icy blasts tearing through the grid system of New York streets, I was bundled with my guitar, bags full of pedals and leads and mix notes and lyrics! Head down against the freezing air. Dressed in the studio in sweaters, two coats, a hat, gloves and holding onto an old portable iron radiator to try and unfreeze my hands! We worked long hours and inspired each other from start to finish. It was a wonderful musical time… I am so grateful to all these musicians for this experience in my life! I am also so grateful to my friends who helped me get through times when reaching the finishing line seemed nearly impossible! but I got there and much in part to their support and help. I am lucky!
I flew back to Berkeley to mix with Jesse and once again my routine turned the clock inside out, up at 7am for coffee, walking to the studio through the pretty, sleepy streets of Berkeley with the pastel painted houses and front garden flower beds, starting to mix at 10am and finishing at midnight, getting a couple of beers from the 24 hour deli and back to the house I was staying in to make notes for the next day. As always in the studio, no matter how much time you have you never have enough and in the end Jesse and I pulled mammoth hours, we mixed two songs through the night on one occasion with Jesse going for a walk around the block at 3am to clear his ears and me just lying on the floor staring at the ceiling! We felt we were on a mission and we saw that mission completed and to success!
Then!!! Pledge Music came into my life and we started this adventure that has proven so perfect for my music, for me, for you! I work closely with a team at Pledge, helped by so many people within this empire that Malcom Dunbar is building, in particular Barney, Luke, Paula and now Anna… my team! Thank you! I must also mention and thank Randy Boyd out there in California who has distributed my music across the world for quite a few years now, he is such a constant figure of reliability in my life and honest as the day is long and Ian J. Taylor with whom I built my website and who works tirelessly on keeping it up to the moment. I did the photograph for the album cover in Paris on a Sunday morning with my friend Kym Ellery, I’d just flown in from NYC and caught a taxi direct from Charles de Gaulle to Kym’s apartment on the Rue de Rivoli and we had coffee, caught up and then I lay down on her sofa and she got the snap! The rest is history… THE PRICE OF THE TICKET came out and you all embraced it! We gigged, the live band incorporating James Meynell, Jared Fisher, Louis Elliot, Bob Wilson and Richey Rose with James Sclavunos and myself. I met a lot of you, we all bonded I think and we made a firm foundation for 2017 and beyond! It continues! I’ve rounded out the 2016 campaign by commissioning a picture disc of TPOTT, signed and numbered individually, a proper collectors item.
In a few days time I will be drawing a line under THE PRICE OF THE TICKET Pledge Campaign and re-opening THE WENDY JAMES NEW ALBUM 2017 campaign! Everything from TPOTT will carry over into the new campaign but it’s coming back bigger and better and more to find than ever and this time the campaign will follow through the whole process of the new album. I am on song 6 in my writing and I hope to have an album’s worth by April, then… gather musicians, book recording studios, and we’re off to the races again! I love you all! THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GIVE ME. It is love, it is friendship, it is generosity and it is loyalty. I hope I prove myself worthy of you all…
Love and my best regards to you all, Wendy xxxx
PLEDGE UPDATE READ HERE:
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET BUY HERE:
WENDY JAMES THE PRICE OF THE TICKET SIGNED & NUMBERED PICTURE DISCS
Great News!!
Wendy has commissioned a picture disc vinyl of her LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’!!
The picture disc vinyl 12” will be numbered 1 through 250 copies and also signed by Wendy within the vinyl itself. A real collectors item.
The pre-order campaign begins NOW! with delivery aimed for Record Store Day on April 22nd!
Pre-order your copy now! Even if you don’t own a record player (Vinyl is making leaps and bounds in re-growth as a format for music and musicians) this picture disc is a thing of beauty to own in and of itself.
The official artwork has been re-formatted and overseen by Wendy and she personally will be signing the numbers and her signature onto the image before it is then pressed into the vinyl record.
Mastered for Vinyl. Collectors Item numbered and signed Picture Disc Vinyl.
PLAYERS:
WENDY JAMES – VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR/KEYS & PIANO
LENNY KAYE – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
GLEN MATLOCK – BASS (Sex Pistols)
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
All songs mixed by Wendy James & Jesse Nichols
Photography and Art Direction by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET VINYL TRACK LISTING
SIDE A
1 PALOMA’S DOWNS (5.45)
2 INDIGENT BLUES (3.41)
3 KING RAT (4.56)
4 LOVE FROM THE 9TH (2.45)
5 BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY (3.41)
Side A – Total running time: 21 minutes
SIDE B
6 YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (6.38)
7 FAREWELL TO LOVE (3.16)
8 COWBOY RHYTHM (5.20)
9 SITUATION NORMAL AT SURFRIDER (7.09)
Side B – Total running time: 23 minutes
TOTAL VINYL RUNNING TIME: 44 MINUTES
***INCLUDES THE PRICE OF THE TICKET DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON FLAC OR MP3
TRACK LISTING
1 PALOMA’S DOWNS (5.45)
2 INDIGENT BLUES (3.41)
3 KING RAT (4.56)
4 LOVE FROM THE 9TH (2.45)
5 BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY (3.41)
6 YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (6.38)
7 SCREAMIN’ BACK WASHINGTON (Bonus) (3.14)
8 WHY OH WHY DO YOU HURT ME STILL? (Bonus) (1.55)
9 FAREWELL TO LOVE (3.16)
10 COWBOY RHYTHM (5.20)
11 SITUATION NORMAL AT SURFRIDER (7.09)
12 YOU’RE SO GREAT (Bonus) (3.26)
13 IT’S ALRIGHT MA (Bonus) (7.02)
PLAYERS:
WENDY JAMES – VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR/KEYS & PIANO
LENNY KAYE – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
GLEN MATLOCK – BASS (Sex Pistols)
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
JAMES WILLIAMSON – GUITAR & BASS. Track 12 & 13 (The Stooges)
STEVE MACKAY – BARITONE SAX. Track 12 & 13 (The Stooges)
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
All songs mixed by Wendy James & Jesse Nichols
**Tracks 12 &13 written by Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith & Bob Dylan
Photography and Art Direction by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij
Release Date April 22nd 2017
SOHO GARAGE on SOHO RADIO LONDON
Wendy will be presenting SOHO GARAGE on SOHO RADIO LONDON this coming Friday 20th January from 2pm – 4pm UK time.
Listen in Live here: http://www.sohoradiolondon.com
MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIENDS!
Thank you for a wonderful year! Thank you for being with me for THE PRICE OF THE TICKET and my life as an artist. I send you all my fondest love and wish us all an even better 2017.
Love,
Wendy xxx
UPDATE ROUND-UP for WENDY JAMES ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ 2016
It’s been an amazing year for Wendy’s new LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’. It debuted on the UK indie and LP charts at no.15 and no.13 respectively and the reviews have been wonderful across the board:
“Wendy James new album ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ is brave and tender, artful and wild, where courage and the dream of love give promise. A wild, moving, shocking, hilarious, raging, exhilarating, giant of an album. A dazzling performance that listeners will delight in, it is intelligent, witty, irresistibly relentless and forthright”.
-Village Voice
There have been two great singles offered on 7” vinyl from the LP, there has been an official poster on thick matte card and an official t-shirt on 100% cotton classic white T from American Apparel and of course there have been the live shows which showed off the band and the songs and also made it possible for Wendy to connect with you all before and after the shows.
In case you missed any of the items as they became available, here are all the different links available right now!
In the season of festivities go ahead and buy whichever items you think would suit someone you know for a long-lasting gift that keeps giving!
‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ is written and produced by Wendy James and played by herself and an all-star line-up from some of the most iconic New Wave/Garage & Punk bands of all time:
WENDY JAMES VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR/KEYS & PIANO
LENNY KAYE – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
GLEN MATLOCK – BASS (Sex Pistols)
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
JAMES WILLIAMSON – GUITAR & BASS. Track 12 & 13 (Iggy and The Stooges)
STEVE MACKAY – BARITONE SAX. Track 13 (Iggy and The Stooges)
TRACK LISTING
1 PALOMA’S DOWNS (5.45)
2 INDIGENT BLUES (3.41)
3 KING RAT (4.56)
4 LOVE FROM THE 9TH (2.45)
5 BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY (3.41)
6 YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (6.38)
7 SCREAMIN’ BACK WASHINGTON (Bonus) (3.14)
8 WHY OH WHY DO YOU HURT ME STILL? (Bonus) (1.55)
9 FAREWELL TO LOVE (3.16)
10 COWBOY RHYTHM (5.20)
11 SITUATION NORMAL AT SURFRIDER (7.09)
12 YOU’RE SO GREAT (Bonus) (3.26)
13 IT’S ALRIGHT MA (Bonus) (7.02)
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
All songs mixed by Wendy James & Jesse Nichols
Photography and Art Direction by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij
THE FIRST SINGLE ‘BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY’ + ‘INDIGENT BLUES’ (Signed) Buy here:
THE SECOND SINGLE ‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE’ (Signed) Buy here:
*There is a bundle offer for both signed singles on vinyl or The second single on signed vinyl + t-shirt Buy here: Buy here:
THE OFFICIAL POSTER featuring the LP cover art in black and white on thick matte card and a personal message from Wendy, dimensions Buy here:
THE OFFICIAL T-SHIRT on American Apparel Classic White T-shirt in Small,
Medium, Large, X Large featuring the LP art, photography by Kym Ellery, design by Roze Hooij. Buy here:
*There is a bundle offer for the T-shirt + Signed CD LP or T-shirt + Signed Vinyl LP
– And of course: THE MAGNIFICENT LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’
on Vinyl, CD and DOWNLOAD – Buy CD here: Buy Vinyl here:
***FYI – if you’re missing Wendy’s previous LP ‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’
on Vinyl – we have just 13 copies of that left! Buy here:
RELEASE DATE FOR THE NEW DOUBLE A-SIDE VINYL 7” SINGLE OUT TODAY!
BUY IT NOW!
The Single is taken from Wendy’s new LP THE PRICE OF THE TICKET
Double A Side
Title:
AA. YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (Track Time: 6’ 12” 33BPM)
AA. FAREWELL TO LOVE (Track Time: 3’ 16” 45 BPM)
SINGLE RELEASE DATE 25/11/16
Musicians:
Wendy James – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Piano & Keys
Lenny Kaye – Rhythm and Lead guitar (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
Glen Matlock – Bass Guitar (Sex Pistols)
James Sclavunos – Drums (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
All songs written and composed by Wendy James
Produced by Wendy James
Mixed by Wendy James and Jesse Nichols at Fantasy Studios
Berkeley, CA. USA
Photography – Ricardo Gomes
Art direction – Wendy James and Ricardo Gomes
Double A Side
Title:
AA. YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (Track Time: 6’ 12” 33BPM)
AA. FAREWELL TO LOVE (Track Time: 3’ 16” 45 BPM)
SINGLE RELEASE DATE 25/11/16
TWO RADIO SHOWS THIS WEEK!
Wendy be co-hosting with Chris Sullivan this Saturday 26th from 4-5pm LONDON on PORTOBELLO RADIO:
Listen Live: http://portobelloradio.com/live.html
AND – taking over SOHO GARAGE with her guest LENNY KAYE this Friday 25th 2-4pm on SOHO RADIO LONDON
Listen Live: http://www.sohoradiolondon.com
AND!
WENDY JAMES NEW DOUBLE A-SIDE VINYL 7” SINGLE OUT THIS FRIDAY! BUY IT NOW!
Double A Side
Title:
AA. YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (Track Time: 6’ 12” 33BPM)
AA. FAREWELL TO LOVE (Track Time: 3’ 16” 45 BPM)
SINGLE RELEASE DATE 25/11/16
YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE
Next Friday 25th November to CELEBRATE the release of
Wendy’s new single ‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER’ + ‘FAREWELL TO LOVE’ she will be hosting from 2-4pm and taking over SOHO GARAGE on SOHO RADIO LONDON and her special guest will be her guitarist on ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’, Patti Smith’s wing-man, the curator of Nuggets LP and SO much more… The Great and Iconic Lenny Kaye! A perfect guitarist and a man of enormous culture and wit and wisdom!
Tune IN! LIVE STREAM: http://www.sohoradiolondon.com
Buy YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE single here:
Buy THE PRICE OF THE TICKET here:
SIGNED T-SHIRT AND 7″ BUNDLE EXCLUSIVE
Wendy’s second single release coming up on us fast November
25th and we’ve put together a pre-order bundle that will be valid only from now through until the release date!
If you buy the 7” Vinyl now with the official T-shirt featuring LP art, you can have them both signed by Wendy in time to mail out on
the 25th November!
The Single is taken from her new LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’
Double A Side
Title:
AA. YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (Track Time: 6’ 12” 33BPM)
AA. FAREWELL TO LOVE (Track Time: 3’ 16” 45 BPM)
SINGLE RELEASE DATE 25/11/16
Musicians:
Wendy James – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Piano & Keys
Lenny Kaye – Rhythm and Lead guitar (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
Glen Matlock – Bass Guitar (Sex Pistols)
James Sclavunos – Drums (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
All songs written and composed by Wendy James
Produced by Wendy James
Mixed by Wendy James and Jesse Nichols at Fantasy Studios
Berkeley, CA. USA
Photography – Ricardo Gomes
Art direction – Wendy James and Ricardo Gomes
The Official T-Shirt is a Hi-Res Black and White image of the LP
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET cover. Photography by Kym Ellery and designed by Roze Hooij. Specify your size and pick your bundle!
Unisex XS, S, M, L, XL 100% COTTON AMERICAN APPAREL CLASSIC WHITE TSHIRT
Order your bundle today! – Buy here:
WENDY IS ON RICHEY ROSE RADIO SHOW TONIGHT!
ut of NYC! 4pm NYC, 9pm UK, 10pm EU. Tune in!
Listen live at kpiss.fm from 3 – 5 PM EST.
Wendy just signed 500 copies of her 2nd single from this LP campaign!
DOUBLE A SIDE SINGLE! ‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER’ + ‘FAREWELL TO LOVE’
GET YOUR COPY HERE
VERY RARE COLLECTOR ITEM TEST PRESSINGS FROM WENDY JAMES!
The only test pressings in existence apart from Wendy’s own copies!
Available at Pledge:
(Test Pressings for 2nd Single 7” Vinyl
YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE – all sold out)
2 x Test Pressing for the original 7” Vinyl single
Title: BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY + INDIGENT BLUES
Signed by Wendy
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/wendyjames/items/185214
2 x Test Pressing LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ on Vinyl
Signed by Wendy
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/wendyjames/items/185215
These are undoubtedly collectors items and of value… especially so as they will never be re-produced.
Own your bit of Wendy James history! Test pressings are an expensive but very necessary part of the chain of events that lead from the first note played in the writing of a new song to the whole finished LP being in shops and online. The manufacturer sets up the test according to the technical instructions given by the mix engineer, in this case: Fred Kevorkian, and then they are delivered to Wendy James and the mix engineer to listen to carefully in various settings to make sure all the frequencies, all the sonic choices are audible and performing to their maximum clarity and potential. It is only once these test pressings have been given the OK that a full run of production with artwork goes into effect. Test pressings are one the of most crucial stages in production and consequently very rare, never to be repeated! From here-on-in, whenever re-order of a record is made it is according to the original approved test pressings.
Here are two clips of Wendy and her band in Spain the other weekend…
One a miscellaneous departing the hotel for the venue and the other a hot and humid sound check featuring Transvision Vamp classic ‘Tell That Girl To Shut Up’
Enjoy!
Buy your copy of Wendy’s LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ CLICK HERE
Pre-order the new 7” Vinyl single CLICK HERE
Test Pressing! SUCCESS!
New 7″ Vinyl Single, Double A side:
‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER’ + ‘FAREWELL TO LOVE’
Musicians:
WENDY JAMES – vocals, rhythm guitar & keys
LENNY KAYE – rhythm & lead guitar
GLEN MATLOCK – bass guitar
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – drums
Out on NOVEMBER 25TH world-wide! CLICK TO PRE-ORDER now
HERE IS THE NEW VIDEO UPDATE FROM WENDY JAMES!
Taped in London during rehearsals for her upcoming Spanish gig she brings us up to date with all that’s been going on, all that has gone on and of course plenty more…
Enjoy this update and Wendy’s new LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ – on VINYL, CD, DOWNLOAD, Bundles, The first 7” Vinyl single, The new PRE-ORDER 7” Vinyl single,
The Official T-shirt, The Official Poster and VIP passes to Live Shows
Pre-Order The New SIGNED Wendy James Single!
GREAT NEWS!
Wendy James is releasing her second 7” single taken from her amazing new LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ RELEASE DATE: 25th November 2016
The two tracks, double a-sides, are YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER + FAREWELL TO LOVE. Both found to be favorites with her audiences when she has been playing live shows and two of her personal favorites from the entire album track listing.
Pre-order your copy of Signed 7″ You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester / Farewell To Love CLICK HERE
Pre-order the bundle of Signed 7″ You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester / Farewell To Love, AND Signed 7″ Bad Intentions & A Bit Of Cruelty / Indigent Blues CLICK HERE
AA side:
YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER – is a pure garage, new wave, forceful, powerful steam-roller of a song, with some of her most exceptional lyrics on the LP. Detailing a time when she lived in the then broken down Gramercy Park Hotel in Lower Manhattan and lived wide-eyed every moment, seeking out the sites of Andy Warhol’s Factory, Max’s Kansas City, The Bowery, CBGB, mixing with denizens of Lower Manhattan, Graffiti Artists, Downtown Musicians, Painters, Writers and imagining one of her all time female icon Edie Sedgwick, Andy Warhol’s delectable superstar, walking the same streets… through to a more philosophical third verse whereupon she quotes notable moments in history and the great American author Mark Twain, she suggests the force of energy to create and make progress is innate within us, whatever period of time you are born into and whatever mode of communication you choose: music, science, art, letters, politics and it is an unstoppable and wondrous energy.
Wendy has said of her time: “I went to NYC and walked down 5th Avenue and 57th street, onto Madison, onto Lexington, down to Union Square, down to The Bowery, down to Chinatown, down to Wall Street, I knew I’d be back to live. I wanted the wide avenues, I wanted the tall skyscrapers, I wanted the neon signs, I wanted Times Square, I wanted the Brooklyn Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge and the Mid-Town Tunnel, I wanted the Gramercy Park Hotel, I wanted the Chelsea Hotel, I wanted CBGB, I wanted Max’s Kansas City, I wanted The Factory, I wanted the 5 Points, I wanted Canal Street, I wanted Washington Square Park, I wanted Greenwich Village, I wanted the East Village, I wanted Chelsea, I wanted Hells Kitchen, I wanted Chinatown, I wanted it all!!! I wanted the subways, I wanted the 24 hour deli’s, I wanted the yellow taxis, I wanted the Puerto Ricans, I wanted the Koreans, I wanted the Upper East Side, I wanted the Frick, I wanted The Met, The Guggenheim, I wanted Central Park, I wanted the Robber Barons, I wanted the dive bars, I wanted the cop cars, I wanted the sirens, I wanted the West-Side Highway, I wanted the East River, I wanted the elevators, I wanted Gloria Steinem, I wanted Doris Kearns Goodwin, I wanted Joan Didion, I wanted Abraham Lincoln, I wanted civil rights, I wanted black power, I wanted female liberation, I wanted cable tv, I wanted the movies, I wanted the delivery guys, I wanted the cable guys, I wanted the superintendents, I wanted it ALL. I wanted Hank Williams and Gene Vincent and Buddy Holly and The Killer, I wanted Bob Dylan, I wanted Altamont, I wanted Woodstock, I wanted Chess and Checker Records, I wanted the Sunset Strip, I wanted the Holiday Inn, I wanted the Four Seasons, I wanted it ALL. I wanted Robert Rauschenberg, I wanted Jackson Pollock, I wanted Frank Stella, I wanted Andy Warhol, I wanted Keith Haring, I wanted Graffiti. I wanted Mark Twain, I wanted Hunter Thompson, I wanted Elia Kazan, I wanted Arthur Miller, I wanted Marlon Brando, I wanted On The Waterfront, I wanted Martin Scorsese, I wanted Francis Ford Coppola, I wanted Peter Bogdanovich, I wanted John Ford, I wanted Nicholas Ray, I wanted Robert Frank’s The Americans and Robert Frank’s Cocksucker Blues, I wanted Grey Gardens, I wanted JFK and La Guardia, I wanted it ALL!”
The title is in honor of the legendary rock journalist for Creem and Rolling Stone Magazine, author LESTER BANGS (Psychotic Reactions and Carburetor Dung).
LYRICS:
I was lying on my bed
I just lay there
With New Wave rockers and Graffiti
And music and kicks in Gramercy
It was a scene, those endless nights
I traced my melancholy
I saw it was a trap
I just wanted to play music
It was a magic thing, that thrill that I got
I was very happy
True love and anguish
I don’t know quite what it is
He said “Darlin’, I just don’t get ya”
I said “You’re a Dirtbomb, Lester”
That love was there
When the foundations of Rome were laid
When Christ was crucified
When the Conquerer created the British Isles
When Columbus sailed
When the massacre at Lexington was news
(Credit M. Twain)
True love and anguish
I don’t know quite what it is
He said “Darlin’, I just don’t get ya”
I said “You’re a Dirtbomb, Lester”
MUSICIANS
Wendy James – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Piano & Keys
Lenny Kaye – Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Glen Matlock – Bass Guitar
James Sclavunos – Drums
Produced by Wendy James
Mixed by Wendy James and Jesse Nichols at Fantasy Recording Studios, Berkeley, CA. USA
photography – Ricardo Gomes
art direction – Wendy James & Ricardo Gomes
All songs written and composed by Wendy James. Ⓟ and © Wendy James 2014.
All rights reserved. Unauthorized Duplication is a violation of all applicable laws.
Track Time: 6’.38”
AA side:
FAREWELL TO LOVE
Wendy’s end-of-the-line cowboy ballad for the finish of a love affair, so delicately and beautifully presented! She says: “I’m a harmony and backing vocal girl. I love harmonies and backing vocals and I love when my voice sings to my voice: the texture blends and becomes very full, very pure. Whether it’s Bacharach and David (all their wonderful songs with Dionne Warwick) especially so their original soundtrack for the movie ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’, in particular ‘South American Getaway’ or Keith Richards in his song ‘All About You’ on The Rolling Stones album ‘Emotional Rescue’ and on my song ‘Farewell To Love’, the harmonies evoke June Carter Cash and The Carter Family, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline. Lenny Kaye plays the most wonderful (chorus echo) guitar melody in answer to my rhythm guitar, weaving in and out with simplicity and precision, he has the perfect touch. I’ve mixed Glen Matlock’s bass up loud on this song, it sounds like he’s in his own skin, so easy, so effortless, it sounds like he’s enjoying every note! I watched him across the live room as we tracked it and he was just bobbing along, eyes closed, really in a good place! James Sclavunos drumming, as always, he conducts us and makes the song groove and soar high. I overdubbed a delicate Wurlitzer piano part echoing Lenny’s guitar melody line. That’s all it is, it doesn’t need a single thing more. Lyrically it’s “get-out-of-town!”. The waste of time listening to someone go round in circles under the impression they’re saying something different to every time they’ve said the same thing before. When it’s done, it’s done and you can’t buy back character at the end.”
LYRICS:
Take your belongings
And get out before dark
I guess you can’t help
Being what you are
You just hang on
To what you got
But you can say
Farewell To Love
You came here
For absolution
You’d like to be set free
For what you’ve done
You think punishment
Will set you free
That’s why you’ve come
Farewell To Love
Good Luck, Fool
Nothing’s true
In your cock-eyed world
You can’t buy back your life when it’s finished
You wanna know something honey
I’m gonna busy myself elsewhere
When you’re belly-empty, hollow-hungry
Don’t come see me all dreamy with temperature
Ain’t no in-between
Listenin’ to you come clean
That time is done
Farewell To Love
MUSICIANS
Wendy James – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar/Piano & Keys
Lenny Kaye – Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Glen Matlock – Bass Guitar
James Sclavunos – Drums
Produced by Wendy James
Mixed by Wendy James and Jesse Nichols at Fantasy Recording Studios, Berkeley, CA. USA
photography – Ricardo Gomes
art direction – Wendy James & Ricardo Gomes
All songs written and composed by Wendy James. Ⓟ and © Wendy James 2014. All rights reserved. Unauthorized Duplication is a violation of all applicable laws.
Track Time: 3’.16”
Pre-order your copy of Signed 7″ You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester / Farewell To Love CLICK HERE
Pre-order the bundle of Signed 7″ You’re A Dirtbomb, Lester / Farewell To Love, AND Signed 7″ Bad Intentions & A Bit Of Cruelty / Indigent Blues CLICK HERE
Release date: 25th November 2016
Buy THE PRICE OF THE TICKET CLICK HERE
IN PRODUCTION!
New 7″ Vinyl Single for ‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER’ + ‘FAREWELL TO LOVE’
Double A-Side!
Buy THE PRICE OF THE TICKET here: CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW
Buy previous 7″ Vinyl Single here (only 27 left): CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW
I Came Here To Blow Minds Vinyl + New VIP Experiences Available
Good morning
I Came Here To Blow Minds Vinyl
Wendy James’s third solo album I Came Here To Blow Minds is now available in very limited supplies on this PledgeMusic project.
WENDY JAMES’ LTD EDITION VINYL 3RD SOLO ALBUM
‘I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS’
Written and Produced by Wendy James. Recorded in Paris and mixed in Sydney with Scott Horscroft.
This is Wendy’s ‘break-out’ LP and features 13 original compositions!
1. THE MOON DEAD IN THE RIVER
2. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, SO LONG?
3. DON’T SHOOT, I AIN’T DILLINGER
4. MUNICIPAL BLUES
5. NEW WAVE FLOWERED UP MAIN STREET ACID BABY
6. SPEEDBALL
7. NO DICE
8. YOU TELL ME
9. KING HOODLUM
10. ONE EVENING, IN A SMALL CAFE…
11. THESE BEGGAR MEMORIES
12. YOU’RE A FUCKING MESS, BUT YOU SURE IS PRETTY
13. I CAME HERE TO BLOW MINDS
The songs are typically ranging from Wendy’s love of New York New Wave Rock n Roll through to more Country Ballad and Phil Spector ‘Wall Of Sound’ production, finishing with the raw, self-reflective motif of the title track ‘I Came Here To Blow Minds’
Garnering wonderful reviews across the international music press, this album really builds on Wendy’s earlier RACINE albums and proved she had come into her own right as a song writer, musician, singer and producer.
LTD amount of VINYL, imported from USA available now from PLEDGE: Buy here
© Copyright Wendy James 2011US. All Rights Reserved
Unauthorized Duplication is a violation of all applicable laws
New VIP Experiences Available
Come to soundcheck and meet Wendy James before the show and have Wendy personalise all your items. Hang backstage, watch the show from a dedicated space and enjoy the full gig experience with Wendy and the band.
Friday September 2nd
Lemon Pop 21
Auditorio Municipal Parque Fofó
Calle Auditorium 2, Murcia, 30008, Spain
Stage time 11.40pm
Get your VIP Experience HERE
New Wendy James Interviews! Signed Vinyl and CD Update!!
Hi Everyone…
Two wonderful press articles, from Flaunt Magazine and AnOther Magazine respectively.Discovering some of Wendy’s thoughts on the making of THE PRICE OF THE TICKET, her life making music and records and other shared observations!
There are new Live Dates being booked and To Be Announced, once more for the UK, but this time also Europe. And a pressing of a new 7” Vinyl Double-A side featuring tracks ‘YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER’ and ‘FAREWELL TO LOVE’. Both Album tracks, and will include unseen artwork and content, and both tracks having proven favorites at Wendy’s Live Shows!
So! If you’ve not already got yourself a copy of THE PRICE OF THE TICKET, starring Wendy James, Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), James Sclavunos (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds), James Williamson (Stooges) and Steve Mackay (Stooges), on Vinyl, CD and Download then do so now! It is surely one of the best albums of 2016 and truly an all-star line-up!
ALL NEW SIGNED POSTER STOCK OF WENDY JAMES
ALL NEW SIGNED POSTER STOCK OF WENDY JAMES ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’
IF YOU’VE NOT ALREADY BOUGHT YOUR COPY: BUY NOW!
PRINTED ON HIGH QUALITY THICK CARD AND BEAUTIFUL MATT FINISH.
Exclusive poster featuring original artwork from new Wendy James album The Price Of The Ticket. A1 Size, signed by Wendy James.
Photography and Art Direction by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij
Buy your signed Wendy James poster HERE.
ALBUM BACK COVER IMAGE WITH PERSONAL THANK YOU NOTE BY WENDY:
Thank you
So important in the making of ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ is the encouragement, good will and enthusiasm I am lucky enough to receive from friends and fans alike. My female friends who support me with their fire-brand strength and determination. Old friends in London who remain as true to this day as they were when we were running about in Ladbroke Grove, W.11. Newer friends in New York City who make my present day life so full and thrilling and the city the place I call home. My friends in Paris, the love and hospitality you give me is such a large part of my life. All over the world I have some true friends who, whether I see you often or not, I know you are there for me. This is the stuff that keeps everything going. Old band members with whom I share memories and from whom I have learned lessons, you are as responsible for getting me here as anyone else. And Fans – the messages you send me are so sincere and often with such insight, sometimes a day can literally be made good by one message saying my music is playing a part in your life and for me to keep on!
The Price Of The Ticket Vinyl Update
ALL NEW SIGNED VINYL STOCK OF WENDY JAMES ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’
LP NOW READY FOR DISPATCH!
IF YOU’VE NOT ALREADY BOUGHT YOUR COPY: BUY NOW!
Mastered for Vinyl. Includes printed and photograph inner sleeves.
PLAYERS:
WENDY JAMES – VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR/KEYS & PIANO
LENNY KAYE – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
GLEN MATLOCK – BASS (Sex Pistols)
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
All songs written and produced by Wendy James
All songs mixed by Wendy James & Jesse Nichols
Photography and Art Direction by Kym Ellery and Roze Hooij
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET VINYL TRACK LISTING
SIDE A
1 PALOMA’S DOWNS (5.45)
2 INDIGENT BLUES (3.41)
3 KING RAT (4.56)
4 LOVE FROM THE 9TH (2.45)
5 BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY (3.41)
Side A – Total running time: 21 minutes
SIDE B
6 YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (6.38)
7 FAREWELL TO LOVE (3.16)
8 COWBOY RHYTHM (5.20)
9 SITUATION NORMAL AT SURFRIDER (7.09)
Side B – Total running time: 23 minutes
TOTAL VINYL RUNNING TIME: 44 MINUTES
INCLUDES THE PRICE OF THE TICKET DIGITAL DOWNLOAD ON FLAC OR MP3
TRACK LISTING
1 PALOMA’S DOWNS (5.45)
2 INDIGENT BLUES (3.41)
3 KING RAT (4.56)
4 LOVE FROM THE 9TH (2.45)
5 BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY (3.41)
6 YOU’RE A DIRTBOMB, LESTER (6.38)
7 SCREAMIN’ BACK WASHINGTON (Bonus) (3.14)
8 WHY OH WHY DO YOU HURT ME STILL? (Bonus) (1.55)
9 FAREWELL TO LOVE (3.16)
10 COWBOY RHYTHM (5.20)
11 SITUATION NORMAL AT SURFRIDER (7.09)
12 YOU’RE SO GREAT (Bonus) (3.26)
13 IT’S ALRIGHT MA (Bonus) (7.02)
WENDY JAMES UK TOUR VIP GIG PASSES!
WENDY JAMES IS PLAYING LIVE IN MAY AND JUNE AROUND THE UK.
PURCHASE YOUR VIP EXPERIENCE HERE:
Come to soundcheck and meet Wendy James before the show and have Wendy personalize all your items. Hang backstage, watch the show from a dedicated space and enjoy the full gig experience with Wendy and the band. There are ONLY 5 spaces available per gig! Customer must be in possession of a valid ticket for the show!
Choose from:
May. Thursday 19th, London, Brooklyn Bowl
May. Thursday 26th, Bristol, Fleece & Firkin
May. Saturday 28th, Coventry, Kasbah Club
May. Sunday 29th, Darwen Live 2016
June. Wednesday 1st, Derby, The Venue
June. Friday 3rd, Manchester, The Live Room
June. Saturday 4th, Bedford, Esquires
Wendy’s set list will include some songs from ‘The Price Of The Ticket’, some choice cuts from previous solo work and some favorites from Transvision Vamp. Customer must be in possession of a valid ticket for the show. Receipt for this item must be printed off and presented at the venue as proof of purchase, along with the original ticket. Times and details will be emailed to customers in advance of the event.
Series of WENDY JAMES photos by RICARDO GOMES
Paris, March 26th 2016.
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET – LP VINYL & CD, DOWNLOAD, VIP GIG PASSES,
OFFICIAL T-SHIRT, OFFICIAL POSTER, 7″ VINYL
Starring Wendy James, Lenny Kaye, James Williamson, Glen Matlock, James Sclavunos and Steve Mackay
Buy your own Official WENDYJAMES ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ T-Shirt
*Seen here: Wendy wearing her one!
Unisex XS, S, M, L, XL
100% COTTON AMERICAN APPAREL CLASSIC WHITE TSHIRT
FEATURING LP COVER SHOT IN HI-RES BLACK AND WHITE DEFINITION
T-Shirt photography by Kym Ellery
Promotion photography by Ricardo Gomes
NEWS UPDATE!
ALL EUROPEAN AND UK 7″ VINYL NOW SIGNED AND ONLINE TO BUY: Featuring current Radio Single ‘INDIGENT BLUES’ and previous ‘BAD INTENTIONS AND A BIT OF CRUELTY’
LIMITED NUMBER OF VIP PASSES TO DARWIN & BRISTOL
VIP BRISTOL X 1 SPACE (Thursday 26th May)
VIP COVENTRY X 5 SPACES (Sunday 28th May)
VIP DARWEN X 5 SPACES (Sunday 29th May)
(UK CHART) WE MADE NO.13 IN THE INDIE ALBUM CHART! AND NO.15 IN THE VINYL ALBUM CHART!
“THE PRICE OF THE TICKET” Starring Wendy James, Lenny Kaye, James Williamson, Glen Matlock, Steve Mackay & the magnificent James Sclavunos! Much in part thanks to everyone who made a Pledge Purchase! Thanks to Pledge Music! Thanks to Proper and Cobraside Distribution! Thanks to Rough Trade and HMV and all Indie Record Stores who made the LP available! Thanks to the Engineers! The Recording Studios! And…. Thanks to my personal friends without whom, at different stages, this thing might have stalled! Thank you EVERYONE WHO IS BUYING IT!! (more! more! more!) Onwards!!!! Love to ALL!
A short teaser from the upcoming video for the new single ‘Indigent Blues’
LP ‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ OUT NOW: CD/VINYL/DOWNLOAD POSTER/TSHIRT/VIP
A Thank You from Wendy
Released Sunday 21st February 2016
It has been the most incredible month of UK shows, press, radio, rehearsals, laughs, love, challenges, triumphs, musical triumphs and moments with you: The Fans of my music, old and new, who have just kept on, kept on being with me, toe to toe, every step of the way!
THE PRICE OF THE TICKET is bona-fide OUT now and I can hardly believe all the memories of recording it in NYC with Lenny, Glen and Jim and then taking it over to Berkeley CA to mix with Jesse…I remember turning up in Paris to meet my friend Kym Ellery and shooting the cover/back cover shot and then preparing the artwork with her from Australia to New York with her team.
I remember working out all the logistics of releasing with Randy from my distribution company Cobraside and him making so much easy lifting of it all for me! I remember walking into the Pledge offices and meeting Malcom and Barney and Paul and how these men have literally made a business that has changed my life and the way YOU and I have been able to present and purchase my music with utter transparency and complete speed.
We made a video! With Pledge fans involved and with the most dynamic team led by Megan and Haf down at The Ivy House in Nunhead where everyone worked professionally and tirelessly and enthusiastically for a straight 18 hours. I expect and anticipate the edit of the video for Indigent Blues within days now! It will be beautiful!
We made a website! Thank you Ian! All these people, and YOU, all of you are people that
DO what they SAY they’re going to do. And I could not be more happy, more proud, more optimistic than I am now!
Dates are booking up for May, I’ve got two UK Television shows I admire asking for live performances and Radio is gradually getting on board and playing Bad Intentions and Indigent Blues.
Thank you to Sean who has worked tirelessly and continues to, for radio and television.
Thank you to Amanda in Scotland, Jules in Ramsgate, Ben and Cal in London, Bernie in London… Thank you to Ricardo who travelled to UK and took incredible Live shots and always takes the most beautiful photos of me!
THANK YOU TO JAMES MEYNELL, JAMES SCLAVUNOS, JARED FISHER AND BOB WILSON for being my BAND, MY FRIENDS, MY TRUSTED COMPANIONS, MY INSPIRATION, and for making me SO HAPPY.
Thank you my wonderful friends who are there for me, at all times 100% no question. Thank you to Wolfe, Paula and Sean who have been my family in London while I’ve been here!
And once again Thank YOU for being so truly amazing in your love and loyalty for my music and for me… Literally, I couldn’t do it without you.
Have a very good Sunday!
Love Wendy xxx
Chart!
‘THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’
Wendy James new album with Lenny Kaye, Glen Matlock, James Sclavunos and James Williamson is released next Friday 19th and available exclusively through Pledge until that date and it is CHART ELIGIBLE!
So! if you want to see Wendy in the charts again then buy your copy now on CD or Vinyl or Download.
Appear in Wendy James new ‘Indigent Blues’ video
For 10 lucky people, the opportunity to be in a video shoot for Wendy James’ new song ‘Indigent Blues’. The video will centre around a performance by Wendy and you can be one of the participating listeners and characters in the audience!
Filmed in a beautiful community owned venue called THE IVY HOUSE in SOUTH LONDON, this day is sure to be wonderful and memorable…. and you will be captured on film for ever! – Your part is to be a nonchalant and unique character audience member!
Wendy James announces exclusive VIP gig + party
On 19th February Wendy and her band will be playing an additional gig in a private members club in Central London. Not only will you get to see Wendy perform a private
gig that is NOT open at all to the public, but she and her bass player are then DJing afterwards until 2am the next morning! So spend as many hours as you like!
Take the whole night in! Meet Wendy, get your items signed and have truly a memorable night out in London with Wendy and her band! This is a one off NIGHT OUT for sure!
Only 45 VIP spots are available and exclusive through Pledge Music .
**Address will be revealed upon purchase.
Welcome to the official website for THE WENDY JAMES
The new album ’THE PRICE OF THE TICKET’ is released world wide on February 19th, 2016. You can pre-order all formats, Vinyl, CD, Download plus the accompanying T-Shirt and Poster via her PLEDGE MUSIC site – click here
’The Price Of The Ticket’ is written and produced by Wendy James and played by herself and an all-star line-up from some of the most iconic New Wave/Garage & Punk bands of all time:
WENDY JAMES VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR/KEYS & PIANO
LENNY KAYE – RHYTHM/LEAD GUITAR (Patti Smith/Nuggets)
GLEN MATLOCK – BASS (Sex Pistols)
JAMES SCLAVUNOS – DRUMS (Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds)
JAMES WILLIAMSON – GUITAR & BASS. Track 12 & 13 (Iggy and The Stooges)
STEVE MACKAY – BARITONE SAX. Track 13 (Iggy and The Stooges)
“Wendy James new album ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ is brave and tender, artful and wild, where courage and the dream of love give promise. A wild, moving, shocking, hilarious, raging, exhilarating, giant of an album. A dazzling performance that listeners will delight in, it is intelligent, witty, irresistibly relentless and forthright”.
-Village Voice
• Wendy James Interviews and Press – click here
• Wendy James Downloadable Press Kit – click to download PDF
• Wendy James Social Media Sites – click here to follow Wendy
• Listen to preview tracks from `The Price Of The Ticket’ here
• Wendy James is announcing a UK tour – click here for dates, venues & tickets
A message from Wendy James
So important in the making of ‘The Price Of The Ticket’ is the encouragement, good will and enthusiasm I am lucky enough to receive from friends and fans alike. My female friends who support me with their firebrand strength and determination. Old friends in London who remain as true to this day as they were when we were running about in Ladbroke Grove, W.11. Newer friends in New York City who make my present day life so full and thrilling and
the city the place I call home. My friends in Paris, the love and hospitality you give me is such a large part of my life. All over the world I have some true friends who, whether I see you often or not, I know you are there for me. This is the stuff that keeps everything going. Old band members with whom I share memories and from whom I have learned lessons, you are as responsible for getting me here as anyone else. And Fans the messages you send me are so sincere and often with such insight, sometimes a day can literally be made good by one message saying my music is playing a part in your life and for me to keep on!
Thank you
