James Grubb has been playing music for many years. His primary instrument of choice was the guitar, but he also plays bass guitar.
During the recording of “We’re all MAD Here” James was always the voice of reason and the one with the driest sense of humour we have ever met!!! We asked him some questions to find out more.
What do you like most about being a musician?
Honestly, the best part of being a musician has got to be playing live. There’s just nothing like the buzz you get when you’re on stage, smashing out tunes and seeing the crowd absolutely loving it. The energy is unreal—it really gets you going, and it’s satisfying to see everyone having a great time because of your music. Those moments make all the hard work worth it.
But, if I’m being real, the thing I don’t enjoy as much is the repetitiveness, especially during rehearsals. Whether I’m practicing on my own or with the band, it’s a lot of going over the same stuff again and again, which can get a bit dull. It could be easy to get fed up with it, and you definitely don’t want that boredom creeping in. But it’s a small price to pay to make sure everything sounds spot on when it counts live.
So yeah, the repetitiveness can be a bit of a drag, but it’s all part of the process. It’s what makes the music tight and helps you nail it when you’re performing. The buzz of playing live and connecting with the crowd definitely outweighs anything else.
How did you become interested in music?
I’ve always been into music for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid, one of my favourite things was to go downstairs, turn on the telly, and watch music videos. I could sit there for hours, just soaking it all in. But it wasn’t until Year 9 at school that I actually picked up a guitar for the first time. The moment I started playing, I was hooked. Fell in love with it straight away.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
One of my biggest musical influences is Chris Wolstenholme. His work as a bassist is truly exceptional; he has a unique ability to craft intricate and compelling bass lines that really stand out. His use of the fuzz pedal, in particular, adds a distinctive and powerful sound to his playing, which has been a significant inspiration for me. Wolstenholme’s approach to bass playing has not only influenced my style but also motivated me to explore new sonic possibilities and techniques in my own music.
What has been the most challenging part of your musical career so far?
The most challenging aspect of my musical career so far has definitely been playing live, especially in the early days. When I first started performing, I would get incredibly anxious before going on stage. The nerves were almost overwhelming, and it took a lot of mental effort just to find the courage to step out in front of an audience. Over time, I’ve learned to manage that anxiety much better, but it was a significant hurdle to overcome.
Another challenge has been developing my stage presence. When I first started, I was so focused on just getting through the performance that I was practically frozen in place—barely moving and hardly ever making eye contact with the crowd. I’ve gradually become more comfortable on stage, and now I try to engage with the audience more and move around a bit. However, it’s still something I’m working on. I know that a strong stage presence can really elevate a performance, so I’m always trying to improve in that area.