Ep479: Aussie Legend James Baker - The Victims, The Scientists, The Beasts and more

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Australian drummer James Baker chased after punk rock overseas before returning to Perth, forming The Victims, The Scientists, The Beasts of Bourbon and more with an extensive discography of increasingly collectible records.

Topics Include:

• Born in Perth 1954, travelled to US/UK at age 21 in 1976
• Saw early Ramones shows at CBGB's in New York
• Met Sid Vicious on bus while wearing NY Dolls shirt
• Auditioned as drummer for The Clash in London
• Formed The Victims in Perth after returning home
• Pressed 500 then 1000 copies of "Television Addict" single
• Hand-stamped Victims record sleeves during beer-fueled parties
• The Victims only lasted eight months as band
• Joined The Scientists a day after Victims broke up
• Scientists' "Frantic Romantic" shipped 500 copies to LA
• Never got paid from BOMP
• Early punk records now worth hundreds of dollars
• Reformed The Victims with Ray Ahn of Hard-Ons
• Beasts of Bourbon formed when Tex needed backup band
• Recorded The Axe Man's Jazz album in just one day
• New Beasts album "Ultimo" recently released
• Planning Sydney and Melbourne tour for new album
• Released multiple records during 70th year celebration
• Live Victims album coming soon through In The Red
• James Baker Experience single produced by John Foy
• Most recent recordings done in just two days
• Still actively recording but less live performance
• Original Victims records now worth thousands of dollars
• New "James Baker Beat" single on Cheersquad Records

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