"Distorted voices? We only used that effect once, when our producer thought that would add to the effect. We simply switched microphones. One was plugged directly into the mixing desk. The "distorted voices" on the last records were most probably just bad recordings. We didn't have the means as with the last one. As for the lyrics: It's very hard to come up with good lyrics, I really have to slave over them, but lyrics are important to set the mood, get the song to sound right etc. I'm not a great storyteller though."
There's this cover version of "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees.
"It's a strange song, isn't it? I was intrigued by it when I heard a version of Nina Simone of it. It's got really weird lyrics. When you listen to it, you cannot really
figure out, what this guy is singing about. I liked that. I only heard the Bee Gees version later."
What about the Bee Gees?
"Well I like what they did in the sixties. They wrote some good songs then. What they did in the seventies will have to be estimated by a later generation, I guess."
Now that he's found calmness and melody: How important is rhythm for James?
"Rhythm is still very important. That's the thing it is all about."
When you listen to Gallon Drunk's records you wonder if they play every instrument as an rhythm instrument, even the sax, is this true.
"Essentially yes. Guitars, drums, bass, each got their rhythm. Even the sax player plays riffs."
This is very unususal, because a saxophone is basically a solo-instrument.