“Sneaky James is an undiscovered gem. They are one of those rare bands you wished you listened to sooner.“
- NME
“Sneaky James is an undiscovered gem. They are one of those rare bands you wished you listened to sooner.“
- NME
Sneaky James was formed in Montreal Canada in 1987. Plan B, their one and only album was recorded two songs at a time at RCA Victor Studios and Montreal Sound between 1987-89 and released independently in 1989 on Smoking Gun Music after a couple of major* record deals fell through.
*Too ”mercurial” apparently…
Regulars of Montreal’s live music scene in the late 1980’s, Sneaky James toured (mostly) eastern Canada and USA headlining their own shows and as a support act.
Sneaky James was a rarity among support acts, creating life-long fans from audience members who hadn’t yet heard their music, and leaving more than a few headliners wondering: “How the hell do we follow up that shit?”
And, just before Grubsy got his concussion he was heard to say… “This looks a bit dodgy” of which Rubsy replied, “Nah, we’re alright, we’ve got insurance.”
The official “On-the-Road“ record (until proven otherwise):
0 Arrests
1 Massive head wound
1 Los Angeles earthquake
13 Girlfriends that looked the other way
73 Well respected exotic dancers
Many unhappy headliners
All in for three and a half years - then it was over.
Sneaky James would like to thank everyone who partied with us, supported us, bought an LP, cassette, ticket, or T Shirt. We were all part of something completely insane and grateful for not being shot or arrested In the process.
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Jamie was the visionary and prime mover. He did much of the heavy-lifting while leaving the players room to move the music around. His lyrics were always sharp, sarcastic and scandalous.
Greg (aka. Grubs, Grubsy) was a true original. His guitar playing was equal parts imagination and feel - both of which lingered in your ears well after the song was over.
Bruce (aka. Rubs, Rubsy) dialed-in a hi-fi bass sound that pushed and grooved every song solidly along. Blues, funk, rock, drop-D tuning, or leading melodic bass lines. It’s all there.
Wayne (aka. Wayne Dog) contributed a mountain of vocal and guitar harmony to the band in more ways than one. An accomplished vocalist, lyricist, guitar player, synth-guitar player, Wayne filled gaps no one knew where there.
Jimmy (aka. Jim, Jimbo) was the bands live drummer from 1989-1990.