White Jimmy

White Jimmy
Birth name James Reginald White
Also known as White Jimmy
Born (1959-01-11) January 11, 1959
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s) Vocalist, Songwriter, Musician
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1978 - present
Labels Slash Records
Def American
Sun Burns Record Co.
SST Records
Reprise
Ruined Recordings
Associated acts The Deadweights
The Gitmo Condemned

White Jimmy (born James Reginald White, January 11, 1959 in New York City, New York)[1] is the vocalist of the American punk rock bands The Deadweights and The Gitmo Condemned, owner of the Ruined Recordings label, and a solo punk rock and alternative rock artist.

Early years

James White was born in New York City to an Italian father and Irish/British mother. He grew up in a mixed neighborhood, but went to the public schools which were mostly African Americans, and gained the nickname White Jimmy there. He never took it as racist, and has used it as a moniker his entire life since then. In the 1970s, he became a fan of proto punk band New York Dolls, and seminal punk band The Ramones, and began singing in a punk rock band. In 1978, he and Eddie Urland formed The Deadweights.

Time in The Deadweights

Throughout his time in The Deadweights' original run, he penned most of the lyrics and came up with some of the music. He became an alcoholic and also became addicted to heroin. By 1987, the band was constantly fighting, and Jimmy overdosed twice between the band's breakup and his final stint in rehab in 1988.

Solo career

In 1988, he gained the attention of Rick Rubin, head of Def American records, and signed with the label as a solo artist. He released his solo debut, Missing Mindstates, on June 6, 1989. He had a hit on Modern Rock radio with the song "The Fallen One". After touring for the album, he took a break from the music business.

In 1991 he left Def American and signed with SST Records, an independent label, and began work on a second solo album. The album was produced by Spot, who produced The Deadweights' 1985 album Crisis. The album, titled Try Trying Again, was released April 27, 1992. The album found some success amongst the alternative rock explosion of Grunge. In 1994 a collection of B-sides and leftover tracks followed, Found in the Basement Corner.

Return to The Deadweights

In 1995, The Deadweights reunited, and he has continued to work with them. His last solo release, 2000's Electric Schizoids Dream of Sleep, was a self-released effort which included appearances from members of The Deadweights. Since then, he has also produced for numerous artists.

The Gitmo Condemned

In early 2010, White Jimmy announced he would be touring with the former members of the punk band Guantanamo as The Gitmo Condemned. They toured the United States in 2010 and released the album Guilty Parties on September 6, 2011.

Personal life

White Jimmy is currently married to Jen Foss, an artist from Pennsylvania. He has no kids and has no interest in having any. He was previously married to a woman named Ally in the 1990s.

He is known for his eccentric appearance, specifically his now grey spikes. In the 1980s, he had blonde hair but as it lost its color with age, he left it the way it is. He is also known for wearing sunglasses and having a nose ring.

Sun Burns Record Co. was his first independent record label, which he used to release his 2000 solo album. He currently owns the Ruined Recordings label, which he has used to release the Gitmo Condemned album.

Politics

White Jimmy has been a lifelong outspoken critic of American government, and has always been strongly opposed to many of its instillments. In 1985, he was investigated by the FBI for statements on the album Crisis. He is currently against the War in Iraq, calling it "a senseless bloodbath in support of oil, greed, and retribution".

Discography

with The Deadweights

with The Gitmo Condemned

Date of Release Title Label Charting
September 6, 2011 Guilty Parties Ruined Recordings -

Solo albums

Date of Release Title Label Charting
June 6, 1989 Missing Mindstates Def American #157 US
April 27, 1992 Try Trying Again SST Records #106 US
#12 US Top Independent Albums
#1 US Top Heatseekers
October 18, 1994 Found in the Basement Corner SST Records #176 US
#11 US Top Independent Albums
#5 US Top Heatseekers
June 13, 2000 Electric Schizoids Dream of Sleep Sun Burns Record Co.

Solo singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock
1989 "The Fallen Ones" #6 #37 Missing Mindstates
1989 "Back in the Day" #31 - Missing Mindstates
1992 "Piece Offering" #11 - Try Trying Again
1992 "Number Four" - - Try Trying Again
1992 "Try Trying Again" #34 - Try Trying Again
1994 "Price" #30 - Found in the Basement Corner
2000 "Far Gone" - - Electric Schizoids Dream of Sleep

References

  1. ↑ Deadweights, The biography
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