By Nigel Lawry
Slim Jim Phantom, birth name James McDonnell, was born on March 20th, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York.
He owns The Cat Club on the Sunset Strip and was married to Britt Ekland from March 20th, 1984 to 1992. They have son T.J. who was born in 1988.
He is the drummer for a number of rockabilly bands:
Stray Cats
Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Swing Cats
Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B
Col. Parker
13 Cats
Dead Men Walking
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| Photos : Copyright Faith Cowlin Courtesy of www.slimjimphantom.com |
You have just currently ended a uk tour with 'Dead Men Walking'. Can you tell us who's in the band, and how the tour is being received?
DMW is made up of Capt. Sensible of The Damned, Mike Peters of The Alarm, Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny and myself. The tour did great and we're finishing an album and will tour again soon.
Most people remember you as the drummer that stands up with the stray cats, (brian setzer,lee rocker) do you play drums in the regular way when you record with your other groups?
I play sitting down when the music calls for it and stand up for certain gigs, it all depends.
Tell us about you the songwriter...do you write alone, with others etc.
I usually write with someone - Lee and Brian in the past and currently with the Dead Men Walking guys. I've also enjoyed writing with Danny B Harvey, Tim Polecat and Gilby Clarke - all great players and writers.
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| Photos : Copyright Faith Cowlin Courtesy of www.slimjimphantom.com |
When you are looking for inspiration, who would you listen to?
I'll listen to any of the original rockers. Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and of course Elvis.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Hopefully on the road and in the studio. Traveling and playing my drums.
Who would you most like to gig with?
I enjoy all live situations, but there will never be anything quite like a Stray Cats live show.
What is your ultimate goal with your music?
My goal has always been to make my living as a musician while doing good work.
What's in your CD player right now?
Gram Parsons, Grievous Angel
What advice would you give to songwriters just begining their career?
Just keep writing, working the craft, and try to develop your own thing.
What do you think of the current music scene?
I don't know that much about the current scene, but it's probably like it always was, I like things that are roots based.
What's next for slim jim phantom?
Back to England to finish the DMW album and a few shows over Christmas.
Discography
STRAY CATS
BRIAN SETZER - Guitar & Vocals
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums
LEE ROCKER - Stand-up Bass
Released: 1993 ORIGINAL COOL
Released: 1992 CHOO CHOO HOT FISH
Released: 1990 LET'S GO FASTER
Released: 1989 BLAST OFF
Released: 1986 ROCK THERAPY
Released: 1983 RANT N' RAVE
Released: 1982 BUILT FOR SPEED
Released: 1981 GONNA BALL
Released: 1981 STRAY CATS
PHANTOM, ROCKER & SLICK
EARL SLICK (FRANK MADELONI) - Guitar & Vocals
LEE ROCKER - Vocals & Bass
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums & Vocals
Released: 1986 COVER GIRL
Released: 1985 PHANTOM, ROCKER & SLICK
SWING CATS
DANNY B HARVEY - Guitar
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums
LEE ROCKER - Stand-up Bass
Released: 2002 A ROCK-A-BILLY CHRISTMAS
Released: 2000 SWING CAT STOMP
Released: 2000 A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ELVIS
Released: 1999 SWING CATS
LEMMY, SLIM JIM & DANNY B
LEMMY - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Harmonica
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals
DANNY B HARVEY - Electric Guitar, Keyboards & Bass
Released: 2000 LEMMY, SLIM JIM & DANNY B
COL. PARKER
GILBY CLARKE - Guitar & Vocals
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums
MUDDY STARDUST - Bass & Vocals
TEDDY ANDREADIS - Keyboards
2001 ROCK N ROLL MUSIC,Released:2001
13 CATS
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums
TIM POLECAT - Vocals
SMUTTY SMITH - Bass
DANNY B HARVEY - Guitar
Released: 2004 (Japan) IN THE BEGINNING 2
Released: 2003 (US) 13 TRACKS 13 CATS
Released: 2002 (Japan) 13 TRACKS 3 CATS
Released: 2002 IN THE BEGINNING
DEAD MEN WALKING
MIKE PETERS - Guitar, Harmonica & Vocals
KIRK BRANDON - Guitar & Vocals
SLIM JIM PHANTOM - Drums & Vocals
CAPTAIN SENSIBLE - Bass & Vocals (Live At CBGB's only)
GLEN MATLOCK - Bass, Guitar & Vocals (Live At Leeds + Live In Darwen)
BRUCE WATSON - Guitar (Live At Darwen only)
BILLY DUFFY - Guitar & Vocals (Live At Leeds only)
Released: 2005 LIVE AT CBGB's NEW YORK CITY
Released: 2004 LIVE IN DARWEN
Released: 2003 LIVE AT LEEDS
You can find out the latest news about Slim Jim Phantom at www.slimjimphantom.com.
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About Nigel Lawry
Songstuff staff member Nigel is based in Bedford England, born in the Welsh valleys, published poet lyric and songwriter.
