James and the Pontoons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| James and the Pontoons | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bedford, United Kingdom |
| Genre(s) | Country rock Folk music |
| Years active | 1997-2005 |
| Label(s) | Jidge Records |
| Associated acts | Willie Nelson Toblerone |
| Members | |
| James Ragway Jidge Johnson |
|
| Former members | |
| Wem Wamsar Sanguello Marino Aphroleena Calvone |
|
James and the Pontoons are a British rock act formed in 1995 consisting of two core members, James Ragsway (guitar and vocals) and Jidge Johnson (Harpsichord)
In early 1995, friends, James Ragsway and Jidge Johnson joined together to create the band James and the Pontoons. Originating from Bedford, UK, they went on to play such infamous venues as the Rames' Jazz Bar and Runway Club. Their first album, Make Me Up and Splooge, was an international flop and sold a mere 500 copies in the UK. Following their first flop, James and the Pontoons went on hiatus and took separate jobs. James Ragsway went on to take a teaching qualification exam in Computer Technology and Jidge Johnson went to pursue his dream of being a Curling Champion.
In 2001 James and Jidge returned to the studio to continue their musical career and produced, Hand Me My Shotgun, Wem which was later released on 3 March 2002. Their new album, Hand Me My Shotgun, Wem (HMMSW) was an underground hit and although did not receive chart confirmation, they toured and sold out venues all around the UK. This then led into their third and last studio album, What the Heel?. What the Heel was released on 27 October 2004. This was also a relative flop and thus James and the Pontoons went on indefinite hiatus in 2005.
[edit] History
[edit] Make Me Up and Splooge era (1995-1998)
In 1995 James and the Pontoons formed in James Ragsway's garage. Using an old harpsichord his mother owned, he and Jidge Johnson sat for hours improvising meaningless songs but never writing any proper music. James Ragway had always aspired to form a band and in late '95 began work on Make Me Up and Splooge. Ragsway's good friend Wem Wamsar (drummer 1995-1997) ran his own record label named after his pet dog, coincidentally named Jidge. The band would always class this as a running joke through their tours, referring to Jidge as "The Dog of Destiny". James and the Pontoons spent exactly three days in the studio recording Make Me Up and Splooge, thus why the album was a complete flop. The recording quality was poor, as it was recorded on an old 4-track mixer. The band went on a tour in the UK with their album from 1996. Unfortunately it was cut short due to the drummer, Wem Wamsar committing suicide due to matters at home, which are still unknown. This had a huge effect on the band and they vowed never to play again, unless in Wem's memory. They played their final memorial concert on 23rd October 1998 and he band went on hiatus. James returned to his Computer Tech course, while Jidge took up his hobby of curling.
[edit] Hand Me My Shotgun, Wem era (2001-2004)
In late 2001 both remaining members James and Jidge received news that a terrorist attack on 11th September 2001 had taken the lives of former drummer Wem's parents. In light of the vow they made, both James and Jidge decided to reunite and record the ironically titled "Hand Me My Shotgun, Wem". This was an ironic twist as it was a shotgun that Wem had committed suicide with. Jidge returned playing his original studio harpsichord, while James tried out more experimental instruments such as synthisisers, violins, guitars and the banjo. They had also acquired a new drummer named Sanguello Marino who originally played in a jazz band called "The Sasquas". Their most well known song from this album is "Same PE Choices" in which the band reminisce about their early childhood and formation of the band. This goes deeply into the personal thoughts and life of Wem shortly before suicide. For example one line is "You ran away and hid, No one knew you ever did. Now you scream to hear our voices, and our PE choices". The phrase "PE Choices" refers to the early days where James would ask Jidge and Wem what choices they had chosen for Physical Education.
This was by far the most successful album receiving a total of 300,000 sales in the UK. However the album never went mainstream, therefore never entering the UK Album Charts. James and Jidge continued to tour with their new album playing smaller, more intimate venues where they could talk to the audience about the meaning of the album. Though some of their earlier songs from "Make Me Up and Splooge" were not recognised they received thousands of new fans and their first album sales went through the roof.
They ended the tour with a final gig in their hometown of Bedford where they played three newly written songs, exclusively. These songs were never professionally recorded and released, however there are many bootleg copies to be found on the internet. These songs included "Abraham", "Midge Sweep Me Off My Feet" and "Let's Talk about M-E-N". This last song came as an enlightenment to most fans revealing James Ragsway to be a homosexual. This to most people was very obvious due to most of James' past encounters with his relationships falling apart with many women.
The tour ended with confirmation of a new album to the fans and thus ended the era of "Hand Me My Shotgun, Wem. The band then returned to the studio to record their third studio album.
