SLIM JIM PHANTOM : OFFICIAL WEB SITE : News

31 Dec 09	THE HEAD CAT ~ Live tonight : The Viper Room, West Hollywood, CA, USA ~

	HAPPY CHRISTMAS! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR QUESTIONS We've really enjoyed putting together this year's advent calendar. As an extra Christmas treat Jim has kindly answered a handful more questions. Thank you to each and everyone of you for visiting the site in 2009 and helping to make SlimJimPhantom.com the swingingest place around. We'd like to wish you all a peaceful holiday time and a very happy New Year. From Jim & Faith, SlimJimPhantom.com Jim, how long do you think it would take an absolute beginner to reach professional level on the drums? Is it necessary to learn to read music? Is it necessary to have lessons? Jimmy from Boston MA You just gotta practice. You gotta love it. Fall in with some people into the same stuff, and go for it. What music/bands are you listening to at the moment. Anything you can recommend checking out? My son turns me on to some newer stuff. The Raconteurs are very good. Jack White is a cool guy, knows his stuff. Who is your favorite Beatle? Fave fab? I knew George pretty well. Went to his house, hung out etc. He showed me his "pepper suit". He liked me. I was youthful and impetuous. When we first met, I asked him some things that most people didn't ask him. Recently, my son TJ's band was on a bill with Dhani Harrison's band. We talked - a real cool kid, looks just like George. You've worked with so many great artists over the years, is there anyone else you'd like to tour or record with? I've been fortunate to play with many of the artists I admire. I'd love a call from Bob Dylan - I think I could handle his gig, if he did his rockabilly stuff. Jim what do you think of tv shows like American Idol and The X-Factor? I've never seen those Pop Idol shows. I know what they are but never had the patience. A few of the people can really sing but they're forced to slaughter every note. It's become a certain over blown style of singing. Just the music biz. I don't know if it's changed too much. In a way it's old school - writer writes, singer sings. That Adam Lambert played at Cat Club a year or so ago. I knew he would make it. I should've been a manager! Who are your heroes/people you admire/look up to? (musical or not) Elvis Presley, Thomas Jefferson, Keith Richards, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Mikey Boy Peters.

	Did Jim know he was going to stay Slim when he chose his name??? JJ I was always pretty slim. Real nicknames get given to you, you have no choice. I guess if I'd gotten fat there would be some irony to the nickname.

	What can we expect in 2010 from Slim Jim? No name supplied 2010 is more of the same; gigs and fun stuff; traveling with top of the line musicians - which ones? I don't know, yet!

	Jim, what was your favorite toy as a child? Mike & Andy I liked Matchbox cars and baseball cards.

	What's it like to tour with the great Robert Gordon and the master Chris Spedding? Dave RG, Spedding and Glen is great fun. Glen is one of my true pals in life, so anything that allows us to hang out is welcome and RG and Chris are unique characters, rock and roll eccentrics, who I'm getting to know. Musically, everyone is top shelf. It's an honor and pleasure to work with Cats of this quality.

	When is your next gig in England Jim, with any of the bands.........? No name supplied I don't have a gig in England planned... yet - something always brings me there.

	If you could form your own ultimate all-star band with any musicians of your choice, living or dead, who would make your line-up? No name supplied There's so many... Eddie Cochran and George Harrison on guitar, Willie Dixon and Bill Black on bass, Johnnie Johnson and Jerry Lee on piano. Who else? I'd like to play along with Keith Moon or John Bonham. John Lennon and Little Richard could sing if they wanted. Get Buddy Holly to write a few songs. I could keep going. I already have Lee and Brian. I already play with Glen, Lemmy, Spedding, Danny Harvey, Duffy, Glenn Tilbrook, Nick Harper, Cy, Robin Wilson, Eric Dover, Jeffrey Baxter - so, I'm already way ahead of the game.

	Is it true that Brian's 50th Birthday Bash was the last US show for the Cats? Scott Petersen I never heard that Brian's party was any type of last show - I hope not.

	Did you always know what direction your music would go? And, did you plan for success? Ray Mazzuca I always knew I wanted to do music. I knew when I heard rockabilly music that it would become a main influence in everything I did. I'm the drummer, so I don't always choose the direction! I never planned for success - I don't know if anyone can, especially when you're young.

	Jim, earlier in the year you climbed Kilimanjaro. Did you have to do a lot of training for it? Was there ever a point during the climb where you wanted to give up or thought you wouldn't make it? And what was the worst and best part of the experience for you? No name supplied No training, I should've, I kept putting it off until it was too late! Then I just had to do it. I learned on Everest that you can't give up once you start. Every step is hard but there's no turning back and there are fantastic people helping you. The worst part was waking up early in the cold; getting out of the sleeping bag when it's still dark and below zero - my two least favorite things! The best part, for me, was after we descended, we spent a couple of days in a village with people who have it a lot worse than anyone I know can imagine. The kids are joyous and beautiful, happy for life in general.

	What is the latest with The Forgotten Saints? We were told to expect a tour and album this year - it's nearly next year!!!! Jeremy Forgotten Saints is an ongoing project. Mikey Boy and I recently cut some new tracks in LA. Capt. Sensible is adding his parts in England. It's classic side project stuff - hard to organize everyone's schedule. Kirk has been sick. Here's to a speedy recovery. I do love the guy, sincerely.

	Jim are you a good cook? Will you be preparing turkey with all the trimmings on 25th? No name supplied No cooking for me. Leave the little turkeys alone, they're not hurting anyone.

	Have you ever played the drums with turkey drumsticks or other unusual objects? Gary Booth, Manchester, UK

	Will you be making any New Year's Resolutions? No name supplied No resolutions necessary for me - I'm a good guy, all year long!

	TOUR - DECEMBER GIGS We just wanted to make sure that you were all aware of Jim's New Year's Eve gig with his friends Lemmy and Danny B (aka The Head Cat) at The Viper Room. Check out Jim's message from September and www.ViperRoom.com. For anyone in the Ventura area this weekend... The 6th Annual David Mann Chopperfest will be Sunday December 13th 2009 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura CA from 8am-3pm. Live rock and roll by The Starfckers featuring Gilby Clarke of Guns and Roses and Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats. Check out: www.chopperfestival.com*.

	Do you ever go back to New York and your parents for Christmas... how does a New York Christmas compare to Sunny LA? Michael Harper, Co. Tyrone, Ireland I do go back to New York. It's colder in New York. Sometimes snow. Looks good out the window. I like the warm weather much better. For me, white x-mas is good on a postcard.

	If Santa was to get a tattoo, what pic/theme would Jim recommend? Joey Rudolph the reindeer with a big red nose!

	Do you have any pets / animals? Petra Two cats and a golden retriever.

	Do you have a favourite pub? Pierre Carol, Paris, France I've had a few fave pubs - Sun in Splendour, Portobello Rd; World's End, Kings Rd; Fox and Pheasant, Fulham Rd; The Ship, Wardour St.

	Jim, what is the best snare drum you have ever played? Dave Moffatt, UK Phantom Beauty is a good one. Gretsch new classic maples are great. I have an old Leedy from the 40's that's real good, too.

	Jim, what English food do you like best? R.J. English food? Real fish and chips is pretty damn good.

	How many times have you asked for a drum kit for Christmas? And did your parents ever buy you one? Dave B I probably asked for a drum kit a few times. I remember getting a practice pad and sticks one time.

	HMC John David "Dave" Wilson 27 September 1970 to 8 November 2009 Our sincere condolences to Angie, Joshua David & Emily Kay and to all Dave's family and friends. We will remember...

	Hi Jim! What is your favorite film? Mika Romppainen, Sweden There are about 300 tv channels, a few with just classic movies. Too many to choose. Certain ones for different times. I know I've watched "A Hard Days Night" about three times over the weekend. "The Hustler", too. "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" was on, yesterday. I watched that for the 37th time. Really into noir ones lately. "Double Indemnity", "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and "Maltese Falcon" have all been watched recently.

	When will the Phantom, Rocker & Slick albums be available on cd? Any news? We've been asked this so many times during the year and over the last few days since requesting your questions for the 2009 Advent calendar, so we thought we'd better start things rolling by asking Jim for an update on PRS. I don't know when PR&S will be available on cd. Lee and I have looked into it many times. The label doesn't really engage. The business has changed and not really anyone to get in touch with anymore. It's unfortunate, it fell through the cracks. We're going to try again. It really is a good record and should be heard again. Keith is on it, as well as, the late, great Nicky Hopkins. Fingers crossed. We'll keep trying.

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