Between being the house band for the After After Party w/ Steven Michael Quezada and their busy tour schedule, ABQ-Live got the chance to sit down and talk to The James Douglas Show to hear all about their new album, VEGAS HOT and all the exciting things they are about to embark on as a group.
Interview by Kori Kobayashi
When did the James Douglas Show initially come together?
I believe it was 2001.
Have you always had the same group members?
No we have switched out a few people over the years. I think we finally have the lineup weve been looking for. We have had the same members for 3+ years now.
What has been the biggest struggle for the band? How did you overcome it? I would have to say financing . It is very expensive to keep a band on the road. We have spent the last 11 years having to play shows with covers in them to make money and keep this going. We (in the last 18 months) have had an investor that believes in the band and is helping financially so we can concentrate on being The James Douglas Show and attempt to become a national act. It has been going great so far. Between our investors and sponsors like DRB Electric and Westone, we have been able to make some headway this year.
What do you think about the current music scene in Albuquerque?
Where would you like to see it go in the future? It is pretty dismal from where we are. Lots of great bands that have a hard time pulling a crowd. There are very few venues to play original music and the few that exist don’t really pay anything. Even the casino’s have recently opted for Dj’s over bands. However Its cyclical. Bands will be back on top at some point again. Its just a trend right now.
What’s next for the James Douglas Show? I hope a hit record!! Lol, We are going to national radio with our single “Wonderfully” and gearing up for a tour in the spring. Right now we are in Las Vegas playing at CES, then we go to Anaheim for the NAMM show. Basically were just going to keep working as hard as we can making music and putting on the best show’s we can. Its in God’s hands.
What is it like travelling/ touring together? It depends!! In a tour bus its a lot easier. Having a driver and bunks for everyone makes everything a lot easier. We don’t have a bus all the time so usually we travel in a converted 12 passenger airport shuttle (Short Bus) called “Special Edna” it gets a bit rough sometimes. We travel with 9 people total so there’s a lot of personalities, ego’s, luggage, etc. and not always enough room for all of it In our little bus. But it still beats touring in a van!! We did that for 8 years!! And Van’s Kill Band’s. lol.
Share a funny story/ event that’s happened to you guys? One time at a big show (opening for K-Ci & Jojo)James jumped out into the audience and ran around singing to the ladies, super cool like. And when he tried to jump back on stage he missed the edge and fell on his back with his feet in the air!! We have it on video, it was pretty awesome!!
Is there a favorite venue or concert you’ve played for? Why? What made it different/special? We have been around for a really long time, there are so many great shows/venues. We have played on festival stages with 40k people there (which is cool) and we have played small clubs and had better shows. Its all about the audience. If the fams/friends are into it, it’s a great show!! We have been very blessed to play thousands of amazing shows. I couldn’t name just one.
Do you guys have a ritual before going out and playing a set? We all warm up a bit, Pray a bit! And joke and laugh. I think we show our nervousness by joking around with each other. We are very much a family, so our rituals change depending on the mood.
How’s it feel to be the house band for a TV show like the After After Party? Talk about your experience with the show. We love it!! It is challenging to learn the guest artists songs sometimes. Steven is awesome. The guests have been cool. It really has been a great experience. I think the best parts are being able to showcase NM bands, comediennes, and the kids from DATA school being able to train in a real work environment. It has been cool to see everyone progress.
How often do you tour and where are some locations people can expect to see you around the state/country?
We were out more than we were home in 2012-2013. We tour from Louisiana to California, Wisconsin to Seattle and every where in between!! (literally) We are working on hitting the East coast & the south this year. Stay in touch on the social media and our website to stay informed.
Who writes the songs in the group or do you write them together?
Everyone in the band writes. We also have a few songs from outside writers as well. Songs come from everywhere!!
We understand you just came out with a new album. What if anything is the theme or specific vision behind this album? What are some title tracks our readers should be on the look out for?
The album is entitled “Vegas Hot.” It’s more of a party record than any of our previous records. Vegas Hot, Joystick, Trouble are a few cool ones. The radio is liking “Wonderfully” so we hope you will hear that one first!! It is a fun and eclectic record. There is definitely something for everyone on it.
You guys have a huge repertoire of songs you can play, everything from originals to covers. When you need to get the crowd moving and dancing, what’s the go to song or songs you play?
The original songs that get the crowd moving right now are “Vegas Hot” and “Can’t hide love”. Wonderfully gets the hands swaying and people sing the words to us (which is awesome!!) as far as covers…anything by Prince, Michael Jackson, LMFAO, Bruno Mars…Even some Metallica!! We will play whatever people want to hear. If it moves them, it moves us.
Is everyone in the band from Albuquerque? How did you all meet?
No. I met Mike Cee when I was living in L.A. at Edmonds Studios. He introduced me to James (Who was looking for a drummer for a project). About a year after that I had to move back to Albuquerque (my truck and trailer were stolen with everything I owned in them) I was watching Jay Leno and had the idea to try and create an L.A style band in Alb. I called James in L.A., told him my idea and he moved the next week! I had a band ready when he got here. I replaced the original members with the lineup we have now over time. Zach played with me in another band previously. Jessie was in a band we shared a rehearsal spot with. I found Delmone playing sax on the median at coors & montano and Mike Cee is just filling in until we find a permanent keyboard player lol, He’s been filling in for 8+ years!!! Lol!!!
What are everyone’s musical backgrounds?
Zach and Delmone both studied music at UNM. James was doing singer/songwriter gigs when I met him. Jessie we kinda stole from another band!! Mike Cee has played in several platinum acts such as Z’looke, The pointer sisters, etc. He is also a well known producer. And I started playing with David & Company (my dads band) at a very young age and have played with a lot of local & national acts, such as Fat City, The Touch, El Chicano, Macy Gray, EnVogue, AB, and a slew of 80’s hair bands!! Thanks to Randy Castillo.
What’s next for the James Douglas Show?
I hope a hit record!! Lol, We are going to national radio with our single “Wonderfully” and gearing up for a tour in the spring. Right now we are in Las Vegas playing at CES, then we go to Anaheim for the NAMM show. Basically were just going to keep working as hard as we can making music and putting on the best show’s we can. It’s in God’s hands.
How often do you tour and where are some locations people can expect to see you around the state/country?
We were out more than we were home in 2012-2013. We tour from Louisiana to California, Wisconsin to Seattle and every where in between!! (literally) We are working on hitting the East coast & the south this year. Stay in touch on the social media and our website to stay informed.
The Beatles played their final show as a group on the roof top of the Apple building in NY, Bob Marley’s last show was at the Stanley in Pittsburgh, Nirvana played their last show in Munich, Germany. If you could play a final show anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
For me it would be a sold out show at Journal/Hard Rock/Isleta Ampitheater in 30yrs or so. We want to be the rolling stones of funk!! Lol. It would have to be here at home. We started here, would make sense to end here as well. New Mexico has been good to us. Were very Blessed and thankful.
