The Music Interview - Jim Sole

By David McGeachie

Hello and welcome to the latest of my chats with local music scene people whom you probably recognise but maybe don’t know a lot about.
This time it’s the turn of Jim Sole who is known as a solo and also as a band frontman, in recent years majoring on the Ska sound. However he is also an actor and teacher and as I suspected, his story is full of interesting surprises. So here we go:

JIM, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. WHAT IS YOUR HOME PATCH? I PRESUME YOU GREW UP AROUND HERE BUT MAYBE NOT? IF NOT WHEN DID YOU COME HERE? AND IF THAT WAS AS AN ADULT, WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
I was born in Paddington but spent most of my life in Feltham. Although from a young age I spent time all over London. Either through family or sport. And as a young graffiti artist I used to travel all over the tube network as young as 12 looking at all the other writers work and meeting up with other artists.

WOW I HAD NO IDEA ABUT THAT!  CAN YOU TELL US SOME THOUGHTS ON THAT AND HOW DID IT PAN OUT? DO YOU STILL CREATE IMAGES IN THAT OR OTHER WAYS?
It's a fine line between art and vandalism. I can see both sides of the argument. With hindsight, it is better on legal surfaces but the illegality was half the attraction to a teenaged kid. I still love art, and create stuff on canvas nowadays. And hope to show some one day maybe with other local artists.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU START PLAYING AND SINGING WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY?
I can't remember a time when I wasn't singing and annoying someone. I just didn't think it was anything special, or consider myself a singer. I joined a few bands mainly because I didn't mind singing in front of other people. I certainly remember better singers than me that didn't have the confidence.
I started playing guitar around the age of 21, mates taught me a few chords and I was hooked. I got so into it in fact that I went to music college at 23.
I can get a tune out of a few other instruments, but I think it would be a stretch to say I'm anything other than a dabbler really.

WHAT COLLEGE DID YOU STUDY AT AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? ANY GENERAL THOUGHTS ON STUDYING MUSIC?
Brunel University in St. Margaret's (sadly no longer there) starting with a 2 year foundation in professional music then went on to do a degree in music. For me the environment of being around lots of other musicians was the best education. I learnt a lot just being around and playing/chatting with all kinds of muso's.
I didn't do well at school and left with no qualifications. So I'm thankful that I had a chance to earn a degree through a vocational subject. Without ending up in £30k debt.

WHAT WAS THE MUSIC SCENE LIKE AROUND HERE FOR YOU AS YOU GREW UP AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO IT?
My first taste of the local scene was watching a mate’s band in a pub on the A316 near Kew. I can't remember the name of the pub. But I remember going round and seeing bands loads after that. The Red Lion in Brentford. The John Bull in Chiswick. Would have been the late 80's/early 90's and it seemed like most bands played a sort of classic rock/crowded house/baggy pop set. But occasionally a soul or reggae band would play locally and it seemed a real event. My first experience of playing in Twickenham was in a small club called Sellers (can't remember the spelling) which was where the Weatherspoon’s is now. I was 17 and we played about 40 songs to the bar staff and 1 regular

I FIRST GOT TO KNOW YOU ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO WHEN YOU WERE PLAYING WITH ANOTHER GUY IN THE DUO ‘DUPLICITY’.  What was the other guy’s name again (sorry) and didn’t he go to Australia? Do you keep in touch?
Ha yeah the great Tom Baeppler. A fantastic player who could play anything... I remember him doing amazing versions of songs he had never heard before. Just sort of picking it up from my vocal. A rare talent and a good drinking partner. You’re right he moved to OZ married and had kids. Still speak from time to time and in fact he came back last year for a couple of days and sat in on a couple of gigs in Twickenham unannounced.

WHAT DID YOU DO MUSICALLY BETWEEN STARTING TO PLAY GIGS AND DOING ‘DUPLICITY’?
Well the funny thing is Duplicity was a duo that started with me and a keyboard player in 1995!!! It's got a spinal tap type list of partners.
I also played a lot of different stuff, 70's disco bands, sessions and sort of gun for hire all over the country with various bands and acts.

I’VE NOTICED THAT WHEN YOU PLAY SOLO PUB GIGS, YOU ALWAYS SEEM TO PLAY SONGS THAT I’VE NEVER HEARD ANYONE DO IN THAT FORMAT BEFORE; IS THAT DELIBERATE, TO TRY AND NOT JUST DO THE SAME OLD COVERS, AND TO SURPRISE PEOPLE?
Sort of. I have been playing for my living for so long that I have played the classics so many times that I thought it would be good for everyone to hear different stuff. I love the uniqueness of each audience and leave it to them to call out what they want to hear. It's incredible how diverse that can be. I'm not saying I do justice to all of them, But it sort of generates a kind of we're in this together kind of thing that's fun.

MOST PEOPLE WILL KNOW YOU AS A SOLO I THINK BUT MANY WILL ALSO KNOW YOUR AMAZING SKA BAND ‘SKALECTRIX’. I THINK YOU HAVE A NEW BAND NOW BUT DID THAT BAND START?
I've always loved ska and reggae and luckily have had a chance to play it with both Skalectrix and the new band I'm in The Launchers. Most of the credit for the start of me playing Ska locally falls on Larry Dunphy the former landlord of the three kings in Twickenham. Apart from being a musician and singer himself he was a great supporter of music and the band nights were legendary.

I remember that well. It was like a Speakeasy… him or Scottish Alan at the door… Sunday nights. Lock ins… was an amazing atmosphere he created there

He asked me to do a Boxing Day gig one year and we agreed that I would do it if I could do something different. It was genuinely a toss-up between ska and bluegrass. We did a ska gig a few weeks later and I couldn't believe the reaction to the music. The members were largely a risky experiment of friends and not full time pros and I really think that helped create something special. All great players and real characters. The Launchers is a new journey into original music loosely held together by a mutual love of ska. The time was right to do something different and although sadly Skalectrix as a band is no more. I still play with some of the lads and always will.

WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE SKA GIGS?
We were lucky enough to support Bad Manners. That was memorable....

And The Launchers jammed with Lee Thompson of madness at a great fund raiser at the Dublin castle.

I ALSO REMEMBER YOU WERE INVOLVED IN THE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SHOP IN HAMPTON, WHICH HAD TEACHING ROOMS I THINK? I THINK YOU LEFT A WHILE BACK. HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THAT? I’VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT BUT PLENTY MUSICAL MATES HAVE TALKED ABOUT OPENING A MUSIC SHOP SO WHAT WAS GOOD ABOUT IT AND WHAT WAS MAYBE NOT SO GOOD? I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE FASCINATED TO KNOW WHAT DOING THAT IS ACTUALLY LIKE.
Well that is not one for a short answer but I'll try. Firstly I had worked in guitar shops a lot down the years, and had also been a sales rep for a supplier. It's a very unique industry with a totally different set of challenges. I opened the shop in 2006 with practically no money and it was amazing. Just the daily challenge of "can we do this" was exciting.

After 6 years I was a little bored if I'm honest. I think I'm much better ducking and diving and trying to establish something. The day to day business of running and maintaining a business was less fun after a while. Don't get me wrong, I had a great time doing it, but after a while I realised I wasn't enjoying doing the same thing every day and returned to playing and teaching. I think I'm more suited to the changeable nature of that life.

The shop is still going great guns under new owner Gary Dainty. And he has really added the fresh impetus it needed www.rockhousemusic.co.uk

APART FROM THE SOLO GIGS AND SKALECTRIX WHAT SORT OF OTHER GIGS HAVE YOU DONE AND WITH WHOM?  
I have been lucky enough to play well over 3000 gigs in my life in all sorts of set ups. Duo's, bands, TV stuff in extremely diverse settings. I worked as a session player and function band member for years and got to work with some incredible players and a few very well-known names. I've played in great venues like the 100 club, marquee and the Astoria. Done functions in several different countries for very high brow clients. And honestly no regrets. Since the birth of my son in 2015 I have tried to stay local as much as I can, and I'm lucky there are so many music venues in this area.

AM I RIGHT THAT YOU ARE ALSO A SINGING TEACHER? How did you get into that – and where do you do it?
I am, I completed my degree in music at Brunel and studied with some amazing teachers myself. Anita Wardell (jazz) Angela Elliot (opera) as well as speech therapists and amazing performance coaches like Wayne Ellington (Gospel). I started teaching 16 years ago, and I really enjoy it. It's one of the things I life I take very seriously and I'm always seeking out new ways to become a better tutor. I have a real passion for it and teach many different kinds of people and groups. From to kids to over 60's dementia patients. In not only voice but also guitar and ukulele. It's a real challenge
I'm a regular teacher for rock house music in Hampton and Hounslow adult education.

I ALSO SAW A GREAT NICKY ADAMS PHOTO OF YOU ON FACEBOOK, SAYING YOU WERE INTO ACTING? TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE UP TO ON THAT FRONT
I always fancied trying my hand at acting. I had done a couple of things down the years, mainly extra work. But a director friend of mine called me out of the blue to audition for a part in a short film. To everyone's surprise I got it and I loved every minute of it. It's a real challenge, I'm not sure if I'm any good at it but it's wicked feeling under pressure and a bit nervous again. I think if you stop challenging yourself you stop living. It sounds a bit over the top I know but it is totally necessary for me to do things out of my comfort zone. I've done a couple of films an advert and other bits and pieces. Its early days but I'm really into it.

MOST SADLY MISSED LOCAL VENUE
I loved The Red Lion in Brentford. Huge venue with a list of legendary acts. Now sadly a McDonald's. Played there a few times at the end of its life. Always felt like a bit of history (sticky carpets and terrible toilets included).
I also loved the Red Lion in Twickenham. I played for at least 3 different owners but it always had a vibe.

DO YOU GO AND SEE BANDS NOW? IF SO WHO AND WHERE?
When I can. I prefer small gigs nowadays and the jazz cafe in Camden or the Hideaway in Streatham are my favourites.

Don’t know the Hideway. Sounds good.

Saw James Taylor quartet and Imaani recently. Locally I love The Fox in Twickenham for diversity. Grissley and the Grasshoppers are great, Ghost Rider, Alix Anthony, Fiachra and John... the list of great acts you get to see for free is ridiculous

TELL US ABOUT ONE OR 2 LOCAL GIGS YOU DID THAT YOU REMEMBER MOST FONDLY AND WHY
I used to love playing in the Twickenham Tup back in the day. I remember it being so busy on one occasion that me and Ruairi McManus had to climb in through the kitchen window because you couldn't get through the crowd in the pub. Also there was an old chap would get up with you impromptu and start playing the spoons from time to time.

My God I remember him…

I also remember a night when Fiachra Kerrigan was playing in the Tup and I was in the up and under and at half time we switched venues just for the craic.

Ha-ha!

WORST GIG YOU EVER DID
Where do I start, I've played to know one, been punched on stage, been knocked off my feet by a feedback loop using in ear monitors. Had a band member arrested on stage. Had a landlord refuse to pay us because he did like the kind of music we played. But there all great stories. I'm not sure I could pick one.

EVER SHARE THE STAGE WITH SOMEONE (ELSE) FAMOUS OR NOTED?
I have on a few occasions and sessioned on a couple of tours. However I'm too much of a gentleman to kiss and tell.
I will say that I sang with Chris Kamara in a lock-in in Twickenham once. That's a highlight

EVER SEE ANYONE AT A SMALL VENUE HERE THAT WENT ON TO MAKE IT BIG?
We used to go to the indie alternative night at the marquee on a Friday night in the early 90's. I loved the band 5.30. But I remember seeing a northern band call Oasis and not thinking they were much cop. Locally I remember watching Larrikin Love and the Mystery Jets as well as beans on toast and Jamie Tall had success.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS THESE DAYS, WHO DO YOU FIND YOURSELF LISTENING TO, OR IS IT ALL MIXED PLAYLISTS ETC
I still listen to a lot of different stuff. I love Donnie Hathaway, the Steeldrivers, Toots and the Maytals, Tasty Dactyls, Lee Perry, all depends on reason and location.

ANY OTHER LOCAL ARTISTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO PLUG?
We are so blessed with so many great acts locally. And I'm lucky enough to know most of them. In the interests of fairness I'll mention a couple of new people to the live music scene so not to show favouritism.
Look out for Eliot Ash and Marcelle Walker. (Monsoon) Both great at what they do and in the exciting first few years of a journey
That said who doesn't love The Carnabys?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE DOING IN YOUR CAREER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
More acting and get The Launchers original music released and played live

WHAT SORT OF WORK ARE YOU LOOKING FOR NOW?
I would love to play with The Launchers locally. It would be great to get a feel for how the original stuff goes down with people I know.

OK THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED FOR ALL THE TIME TAKEN TO DO THIS. ENJOY THE SUMMER…
You can see Jim solo around the Twickenham area… all the time!

Check out his new band here:
http://www.thelaunchersofficial.com/band-1/

David McGeachie is a local musician and in his spare time runs Tenant Finder Lettings and David McGeachie Sales…