Sandisaster
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 131
Location: Midwest, Divided States
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 Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 04:07 |
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Ex Bassist
This may not be the right thread for this topic, but I thought it was interesting. The X bassist of Jamriroquai is touring the US with Hard Fi, because their bassist can't get through US customs due to a past cocaine charge. I had no idea that the US was that strict about.
Here's the story (from The Electric New paper website):
"THE past two years have been something of a fairy tale for Hard-Fi comprised of four English lads in their 20s from working-class backgrounds, the band catapulted to the top just 1 1/2 years after the release of its debut album Stars Of CCTV.
Hard-Fi, above, left to right: Ross Phillips, Kai Stephens, Richard Archer and Steve Kemp.
The album is currently No 1 on the British album charts. Hard-fi has toured the US and is currently up for two 2006 Brit Awards alongside acts like Gorillaz and Coldplay.
But, for the band's bassist, Kai Stephens, it has been a bitter-sweet journey.
Hard-Fi has toured the US - traditionally the toughest market to crack - twice so far, but Stephens has not been allowed to go.
He was rejected by US Immigrations twice because of a previous drug conviction. He was caught for possession of cocaine in 1999.
Hard-Fi employed former Jamiroquai bassist Nick Fyffe to replace Stephens for its US gigs.
'It feels awful. I feel I have let my band and manager down. I have done my community service, but it almost feels like I am being punished all over again,' the 28-year-old told The New Paper in a phone interview from London.
The band will play in the US again in April, and have a full tour at the end of this year.
'Our lawyer is putting together a case for me. Aside from being a one-time offender, I have a family, a steady job, been giving to charities and have been working hard to achieve what I have now,' said Stephens.
'It has made me think hard all over again. I shouldn't have been doing it. It's not good for your head, it costs money and it is illegal.'
Hard-Fi's sound and attitude is mainly influenced by '70s punk bands like The Clash, but there are dashes of reggae, rock, indie and disco.
What sets Hard-Fi apart from its counterparts are its hard-as-nails lyrics about working-class life.
Stephens is fully aware that the band's success means forgoing the life of the average Staines man, but he feels that their increasingly wealthy lifestyles and lyrics about inner-city life will not be at odds.
'I have had some hard times and been in pretty crappy jobs. I think my character has evolved such that it is not going to change that much,' said Stephens, who has a 3-month-old daughter Edith with his girlfriend of three years. They live in the same apartment he used to live in before Hard-fi's success.
He said: 'Things might change if we ever get to make our third or fourth albums. I might contribute some tracks, but I doubt I will be writing about being sad and lonely in a big house, or not knowing who my friends are because I am famous.'"
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I AM NOT RIDICULOUS UP ON BLOCKS!!!
"Don't shoot me down...I'm hot tequila brown..." |
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dannyev
Joined: 25 Mar 2002
Posts: 429
Location: Planet Home
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| Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 22:20 |
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Mark King!!!!!
Cheeba vibe said:
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| ..for me, it's time that the faboulus Mark King is going to join Jamiroquai....what a wonderful groove it would be.... |
Now that would be absolutely amazing. I love Level 42/Mark king and Mark's groove and playing were a big influence on me taking up bass guitar. He would certainly improve Jamiroquai as a band.
No offence Paul Turner of course 
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'This is the world he wants, pray for the brave and the young...' |
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