by Marija Brettle
— Sr. Columnist —
Following their well-received self-titled debut album and after a series of high-profile touring opportunities, British Hard Rock band INGLORIOUS already proved to be one of British rock’s most exciting new bands to date. They’ve been praised by the British press saying; ‘(Inglorious are) emulating great rock acts of the 70’s and 80’s” and have been compared to the great Led Zeppelin, by their producer Kevin Shirley.
Fronted by Nathan James, one of the biggest and unique voices in rock today, Inglorious formed in February 2014 in London. In 2016, they released their first album Inglorious I. In May 2017, the band returned with an equally hard-hitting second effort, Inglorious II, on the Frontiers Music SRL Label.
Before the release of their upcoming new album and new tour, we caught up with the Inglorious frontman Nathan James, to talk about their new album ‘Ride to Nowhere’, his ‘Ramblin’ Man’ experience with one of his heroes David Coverdale, and his role in the Musical Version of ‘The War of the Worlds’. As well as what it was like working with the legendary rock producer Kevin Shirley and more.
Hardrock Haven: Hi Nathan! Thank you for taking the time for the Interview! It must be a very exciting time for the band, with the new upcoming album and the tour?
Nathan James: Yes. It’s a very exciting time for us to be back and we are so ready to add some new songs to our live set!
HRH: My first encounter with Inglorious was at the Ramblin’ Man Fare, back in 2016. I have to say I was totally taken aback at how awesome you sound as a band and the power of your voice!? It just took me back to the earlier days of Classic British Rock. What was your experience on the day?
NJ: It was the best day ever for us! The sun was shining, my family was all there, and the mighty Whitesnake were headlining! (Laughs) One of my proudest moments ever were seeing that crowd sing along to “Holy Water.”
HRH: What was it like to share the same stage with one of your heroes, the Mighty Whitesnake?
NJ: Unreal! I co-wrote on an Inglorious song with Joel (Hoekstra) from WS and Coverdale is my hero, so it was pretty overwhelming to see him walking about backstage.
HRH: Tell me more about the dynamic in the making of your new and third album ‘Ride To Nowhere’, esp. since you have a new guitarist Drew on the board. I hear that on this album you’ve been recording on the same ‘old-school style and principal… kind of ‘organic way’. Tell me more about that?
NJ: It was the same as before, in the writing progress. Well, we all got together in one room. We recorded with all the players in the same room, in an old-school style, vibe…with no overdubs, autotune or click tracks. We have always been a live band and this time around really thought about songs that would come alive in the big stages.
HRH: How did you come up with the title of your album, ‘Ride To Nowhere’?
NJ: It’s kinda how I feel about life at that time. I have thus major hang-up about morality and having lost one of my best friends and my grandpa this year I have struggled with it. Also, it’s kinda about being in a band…why do I/ we have this undying need to continually keep going and pushing in what sometimes feels like a fucking rollercoaster. (Laughs) When I feel the reason, is again, about morality and how we ultimately want to be remembered after we pass.
HRH: With the first and second album, you gained an amazing amount of success, recognition and awards, like being voted by Planet Rock, as’ One of the best British new bands’ winning Best British Single with ‘I Don’t Need Your Loving.’ Was there any pressure you felt- trying to follow up the rate of your early success on this record?
NJ: No. I had a lot to write about and with struggles internally, the band and our personal lives, it was quite easy to find stuff to talk about.
HRH: How did you get to star live in the Jeff Wayne’s ‘Musical Version of ‘The War of the Worlds’?
NJ: My manager put me forward via a mutual friend and Jeff saw some videos of me and invited me to his home to try out the songs. He pretty much offered me the job after the first take, and I am so excited to be able to bring this to the hugest venues in the country!
HRH: I know you’re a great fan of Glenn Hughes and Black Country Communion… was that one of the reasons for bringing on the legendary rock producer Kevin Shirley, for your last two Inglorious records?
NJ: I do love Glenn, but I was a huge fan of Kevin’s work for years. He has mixed the greatest bands and some of my favorite vocalists of all time! It’s an honor to now be on his list of bands he’s mixed and I think he gets what we are doing and how we want to sound.
HRH: Inglorious is undoubtedly one of the best British Bands who carried on the legacy of Classic Rock in the best and most dignifying way! What were your earlier heroes that inspired you to take on the industry?
NJ: I loved the singers of the 70s and 80s… they are what inspired me … Paul Rodgers, Glenn, Coverdale, Dio, Freddie, Ann Wilson, Steven Tyler. I loved that rock was/is so hard to sing, and that’s what I loved about it … I wasn’t born with this range etc. I worked hard at it, and I will continue to do so, until I can’t anymore.
HRH: You have played a handful of shows in 2017 and 2018, including the US Monsters of Rock Cruise, UK Download Festival, and Hellfest. Any highlights or interesting stories you would like to share with us?
NJ: Download main stage has been a dream of mine since I was a kid! So, to walk out on stage on the same day as Ozzy and Zakk Wylde was pretty unreal. I was nervous nobody was gonna be at our show, as we were on so early, but to walk out on stage and see over 10k people was pretty awesome! I will never forget that feeling…
HRH: I love the song ‘I Don’t Need Your Loving’ … Do you have any favourite Inglorious songs and why?
NJ: A song from the new album…Glory Days. I wrote it about the breakdown of a relationship, and it’s my most personal and emotional song so far. I also love how far away feels to sing. I wrote it when my grandfather was sick, and it’s about his and my grandmas’ relationship. It’s so cool I get to sing their songs in front of people who pay to watch me do it … it’s crazy.
HRH: You’ve been often called “One of Britain’s most exciting new bands” and more recently your producer Kevin Shirley call the band ‘The new Led Zeppelin.’ I heard that Glenn Hughes calls you ‘The Yoda of Rock’ (Laughs) If you have to describe your band in three words, what would that be?
NJ: Actually Glenn calls my old boss, Uli Jon Roth, ‘The Yoda of Rock,’ not me (Laughs). My three words would be; British, Exciting and Hairy!
HRH: Beside your newly released single, ‘Where Are You Now’ from your new album, is there anything else you would like to share with us – as a little teaser, before the big day in January 25th, 2019?
NJ: No teasers! Just go and buy it if you like; well played, live recorded, rock music with heart and passion! If you do, you should support the artist as much as you can … buy it don’t stream it! (Laughs)
HRH: Thanks Nathan for your time for the Interview! It’s a real privilege catching up with you guys! Best with the new record and the upcoming tour!
Members:
Nathan James – Frontman
Drew Lowe – Guitarist
Andreas Zäta Eriksson – Guitarist
Colin Parkinson - Bassist
Phil Beaver – Drummer
During our Interview, Inglorious confirmed line-up changes.
New projects bring new beginnings for UK rock act Inglorious, as the band confirms the departure of guitarists Drew Lowe and Andreas Eriksson and bassist Colin Parkinson.
Vocalist Nathan James says. “Our new album “Ride to Nowhere” signals new beginnings for the band – a different sound and a different line-up. I want to wish Colin, Andreas and Drew all the best with future musical adventures. Thank you for bringing the baton to this point to pass on We are delighted to welcome Danny Dela Cruz into the fold – he’s a wonderfully gifted player, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the band. I couldn’t be more excited for what the future brings with Inglorious.”
‘Where Are You Now’ song/single from the new album ‘Ride To Nowhere’ —
‘I Don’t Need Your Loving’ —
