Q&A with James Duncan!

[TM]

Thanks to our friend and moderator Pat (Quizz Kid), James Duncan has kindly agreed to do a Q&A with us here on the Jethro Tull Board.



(I'm sure you all know who James is. If you don't, you obviously need to spend more time reading our board! - TM)

James Duncan along with Mickaël Téo form The Fancy Toys and they have been writing, playing both live and in the studio, with many artists since they were really pretty young. They have performed at some of the most prestigious venues, all over the world.

Trying to describe their style is impossible: There is literally nothing like it. You might be able to spot a few influences here and there but these will soon whizz off somewhere else in an exciting and unusual way."

James began playing drums at the age of 13. In 2002 he began working on stage with Ian Anderson on the initial 'Rubbing Elbows' tour and continued to tour with Ian's solo band for several years, and even filling in for Doane on few Jethro Tull gigs.

James has performed on The Secret Language of Birds, Rupi's Dance, The IA Orchestral Album, St. Brides, and Jethro Tull's Christmas Album. The Fancy Toys studio tracks are available for download via iTunes.

www.thefancytoys.com


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Q&A Format:

There's no limit to the amount of questions you may ask. But please include your name (first is fine), town/country with your questions.

We will compile your questions for James for a few weeks before sending them off. Enjoy!

[Nonfatman]

Hi, James, and thank you for taking our questions!

First off,

I know you were very young at the time, probably 4 or 5 years old I would think, but do you have any memories of recording those backing vocals to Batteries Not Included, and if so, what do you remember and what was it like for you as a small child recording vocals for you dad's album?

Jeff, from New York

[Silkenmist]

Good Morning James:

I can't get over how much you look like your Dad, Ian Anderson.

I have seen many videos with you on your Dad's shoulders or in a plane with him and your mom. I was wondering if he was a strict dad (when he was around) or did he let you get away with anything you wanted.

Kind Regards,

Silken...(Pearl)

[Bwanabob]

Hello James,

When you were growing up was the music of Jethro Tulll something really you got into or was it juat something that Dad did? Assuming you did get into it, would you ever pester your dad to sing stuff for you or play guitar for you, perhaps stuff that typically wasn't performed? Thanks for your time.
-Bob

[Sharkdaniel]

Hello James,

Hope you don´t mind this question, but why did you change your last name?

Also, when and where was the first time you hit the road with your father, and how was that?

Cheers,
Daniel from Santiago, Chile.

[Coolraven]

'No Lullaby' is an extraordinary song, one of my all time favourites.
I'm guessing it is about you.
Or is it ?

P.J. from Dublin.

[kram]

Hi James,

Have you had any odd encounters with nutty Jethro fans (I mean besides right now)? If so, please share.

Who eats the more spicy food, you or yer pops?

What kind of music do you listen to?

Mac or PC?

Do you have any favorite visual artists?

It's me, photographer Mark Colman, now in glorious Portland Oregon.

[Mix]

Hi James,

I wonder if you have a different view than your old man about the state of the music industry? Ian has stated making albums isn't viable anymore, do you agree?

And I must ask, do you have any desire to be more involved in your fathers music either now or in the future?

And finally, did you always want to be a musician?

[TM]

(Posted for Sandra)

I´d like to know how you perceive music nowadays, in terms of creativity, concerts, touring and business.

[Bobbo]

Hello James;
Like others, my curiosity is about you and your sister's early years. Do you recall when it was you figured out that your Dad was a famous musician?
Was it tough having him away from home so often?
Was your interest in music always the drums or did you start with a different instrument?
Lastly it has been a long time since Tull (or your Dad) has visited Houston. I met you, Lucia and your Dad then. When can we expect a show in Houston again?
Best wishes for a successful career.
Be well,
Bobbo
Houston, Tx

[SilverHamer]

Hello James

Like Bobbo, I live in the Houston, TX area. I don't really have a question for you but I just wanted to say that I think it's really cool how you became involved with the Tull Tours. In 2003 when the band played at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, I nearly had a collision with you in the aisle as you were walking from the stage area back up to the sound and light boards...I was really surprised to have seen you sort of mingling out in the crowd like that and really wanted to chat, but figured you were much too busy at that point...some 15 or 20 minutes before showtime. Anyways...good luck to you in your personal endeavors and hopefully we will see you guys back in The Woodlands sometime down the road.

Larry Curtis
Houston, TX

[Deleted]

Hi James, thanks for taking time to answer all our questions, when you toured with Tull our your dads band did you find it strange to play certain drum passages that have been played(amd made famous) by such fine drumers past and present espesicially Doane's since he is still with Tull. Thanks good luck with the Toys...Charles

[TM]

Hello James, and thank you for being a part of The Jethro Tull Board (shameless plug!).

I'd like to know how you met Mickaël, and how the two of you came about this truly unique style of music that is the Fancy Toys?

And I'll have you know that Gypsy Eyes got quite a bit of stereo time at my household this past summer!

Cheers,
Paul from Jersey

[Blue]

Hello James!
I'm Blue the Crazy Cat Lady in West Conshohocken, PA (just west of Philadelphia). I understand why you changed your name but I do have a question about your childhood. There were people who thought my daughter, about your age, would be cat box trained before she was ever potty trained and I have now come to understand that her main fear in childhood was not a monster under the bed but getting hairball treatment smeared on her knuckles along with the rest of the cats. So, what was life like for you growing up with a 'Crazy Cat Lady" for a Father? Did you ever get absent-mindedly patted on the head or scratched behind the ears as a child and has it left any deep-seated psychological scars? (grin)

[sealdriver]

Hello James,
How would your father react if you brought your new girlfriend home to dinner, and it turned out to be Dee Palmer?

[Max Quad]

Sorry, but I just can't come up with a question to ask him, without sounding like I'm being a dick.
If anybody wants an example, I'd be happy to provide.

[Deleted]

James

You seem a master of many trades, musician, sculptor, designer, manager, webmeister and no doubt a lot more, what is your main focus and what inspires you in you music and design work?

Pat
Kent UK

[Nonfatman]

Hi, James

Is it true that you are going to appear with your bro-in-law Andrew Lincoln in the next season of The Walking Dead? If so, will it be for one episode or more than one?

I am really looking forward to Season 2. I did not follow the first season initially, but then the entire six episodes were re-run in the space of two or three nights, which I happened upon by accident, so I tuned in just for curiousity sake and the Tull connection of Ian's son-in-law being in the lead role.

I usually hate zombie movies, so I wasn't really expecting to stick with it, but it completely hooked me after just ten or fifteen minutes. I proceeded to watch all the episodes, staying up until 1:00 a.m. on those nights because it was so well-done. Better, in fact, than a lot of major science fiction movies.

Jeff (from New York)

[prof]

www.jethrotulltribute.co.uk/

[Nonfatman]

Hi, James

I have three more questions:

1) What was it like growing up in such a talented and creative family? I imagine that there were music and acting lessons, family trips to museums, attendance at the theater, arts and crafts, and a whole lot of reading. Am I right?

2) How did other kids react to you being the son of a famous rock performer? Where kids your age Tull fans? Did everyone want to be your friend? Was there also some ribbing about your dad prancing around in tights doing unspeakable things with a flute?

3) When you were growing up, did you ever overhear Ian singing in the shower, humming, whistling, etc.? If so, was that something he regularly did? Were they his own songs, or someone else's (and if so, whose), or were they both?

Thanks!

Jeff, from New York

[TM]

Oct 31, 2010 8:37:22 GMT -5 Max Quad said:

Sorry, but I just can't come up with a question to ask him, without sounding like I'm being a dick.
If anybody wants an example, I'd be happy to provide.

LOL.

Yes, you know I'm always game. ;D

[mike]

Hello James,

Has it ever entered your mind that sometime in the future you will honor your father's music such as Dweezil Zappa has done with his fathers?

I noticed after some of the rubbing elbows show that you would run off with others more your age, did you meet some interesting young fans over during your excursions state side?

And the last question I have is : Do you have a favorite drum set other than DW in your sets to recreate the old classic rock melodies so far?


Mike in Florida, USA

[gmharra]

From Gerry
Louisville, KY USA

Hi James,
I've really enjoyed the Fancy Toys recordings. Will there be any new songs in the near future?

Thanks,
Keep up the good work,

Gerry

[My God]

From: William
King,NC


James, will you ever play with Tull again?

[TM]

Hi James,

Can you talk a little about how Jethro Tull's drummers affected your own playing style?

Paul
NJ