| Joshua James | |
|---|---|
(left to right) Ross Betzer, Vince Adame, and Joshua James |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joshua James Huff |
| Origin | Portland, Oregon, USA |
| Genres | Rock and Roll Rock en Español Chicano Rock |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | London Dog Old Freight Rail Failing |
| Associated acts | Los Perros Olvidados Johnny Cash Tribute Band Johnny Voodoo Freidrich's Teeth The Ex-Girlfriends |
| Website | Official Website |
| Past members | |
| Toni Fugoli David James Clark Keith Richard McCarthy Jenni Nissila Robert Laws Railroad Dave Heston Albert Redda Paul Barrall Greg Sasser James Sasser |
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Joshua James Huff, better known by his stage name Joshua James, is an American musician currently based in Portland, Oregon and fronts the Chicano Rock group Los Perros Olvidados and the rock group Joshua James and the Runaway Trains.
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James released his first full-length album with the Eugene-based band Friedrich's Teeth in the spring of 1996, on London Dog Records. In 1998, James released the E.P. "The Johnny Voodoo Sessions", also on London Dog Records. In the summer of 1999, Old Freight Rail Records released his first full length solo album:Joshua James Tanked Up and Derailed. After several years of touring the United States with bands such as Possum Dixon, the Old 97's and The Reverend Horton Heat, James released Bullets for the Border in 2004.[1]
It had been rumored for quite some time that Joshua James would be releasing a new album in September 2007 titled "Casino El Camino" but this never materialized as hoped. According to Old freight Rail Records website Joshua James' new album, simply titled, Joshua James and the Runaway Trains was scheduled to be released in the first part of 2008. In 2009 it was released in select markets around the United States and in parts of Europe As of the spring of this year it is available in most markets, though it never received an official release celebration. According to CD Baby, the song "She", the last track of the new album has registered more than 90,000 downloads.[2][3][4] The status of Casino El Camino is unclear, but in June of this year James stated he was working on a new album but failed to mention anything about the unfinished album..
Joshua most often performs live shows under the banner Joshua James and the Runaway Trains. It is said he came up with name after opening for Chris Isaak and the Silvertones one night. The Band the Runaway Trains have had many line ups throughout the years and has been unchanged for the most part since 2005.[5]
The current members of James' band, The Runaway Trains, include Vince Adame on drums, Ross Betzer on bass, Joshua on guitar and vocals and Jason Barlow on lead guitar.[5]
Los Perros Olvidados perform all of their music in Mexican and Chicano Spanish. Many of the themes the band writes about pays homage to their Mexican heritage and other Mexican/chicano/Spanish musicians such as Los Brincos, Los Apson and Vicente Fernández. The English translation of Los Perros Olvidados is "The Forgotten Dogs".
Joshua James has been referenced as somewhat of a rebel icon or folk hero by various musical and comedic artists.
In 2000 James' album Tanked Up and Derailed was featured on the Fox TV show/Eddie Murphy creation The PJs.[6]
On the 2003 self titled release by the Portland based band Mars Needs Women they reference Joshua James Huff and his band Runaway Trains on the fourth track of their album. In their song about cruising titled Pimpin' in the Lincoln they sing, "We've got Josh and the Trains riding in the back."[7]
Stevi Marie gives mention to James on her 2004 album I Thought I Told You. During the song "Good as Marilyn Monroe on a bad day" she refers to the hard partying image of James and his band with the line, "I'm tired of all these plain Janes, tonight I wanna party like the Runaway Trains."[8]
Rock - folk singer Kate Mann sings "I'm gonna find me a man just like Joshua James who will steel me away on his runaway train" in the song "Ode to Motorcycle Boots" which appears on her 2005 release November Songs.[9]
In February 2004 Huff played a series of benefit shows with Portland singer Art Alexakis for Friends of the Reservoirs in an effort to raise money and awareness for the non-profit foundation.[10]
Joshua also donated song and performance to the 2004 Rock the Vote campaign. "HWY 99 North", his song about the hardships of growing up in a small American town with dwindling economic resources was included on Failing Records Vol. 1. This was a compilation album that helped fund the Rock the Vote street team.[11]
According to the an article written in the May 3, 2007 edition of The Skanner by Kelly Moyer, Joshua James spoke at the peaceful demonstration that took place on Killingsworth Street in North Portland. Protesters targeted the local bar, the Florida Room, as a racist and sexist establishment. James took the microphone and gave a moving speech pertaining to his life growing up as an ethnic minority and being the target of racism. As James continued, he spoke about community acceptance, the significance of diversity and the importance of being understanding and respectful of the differing views of ones neighbors.[12]