James Johnston (Scottish musician)
Encyclopedia
James Roberto Johnston is a bassist
, vocalist, and songwriter
, best known for his work with Scottish
group Biffy Clyro
. He is also known as Jim or Jimbo and sometimes signs his name as such.
with his identical twin brother
Ben
(who became the drummer
for Biffy Clyro), and his younger brother, Adam Johnston (who is now Biffy Clyro's drum tech). The first gig he ever attended was Rancid
at Glasgow Barrowlands in 1995, when he was fifteen.
and brother Ben Johnston in a band called Screwfish in 1995, the trio moved to Glasgow
, and were soon discovered by manager Dee Bahl, and then signed to Beggar's Banquet, in 2001.
when the conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke
plays live.
, and can often be found cycling
around the hills of Ayrshire
. He has said the song Shady Lane
by Pavement
makes him cry
.
Johnston currently resides with his girlfriend in Kilmarnock
, Scotland
.
), but sometimes (BADG) for "Pause it and Turn It Up" and (CGCF) for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies
", as well as "That Golden Rule
", "The Captain
" and "Got Wrong".
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
, vocalist, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for his work with Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
group Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
. He is also known as Jim or Jimbo and sometimes signs his name as such.
Early life
Johnston was born and raised in KilmarnockKilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
with his identical twin brother
Twin
A twin is one of two offspring produced in the same pregnancy. Twins can either be monozygotic , meaning that they develop from one zygote that splits and forms two embryos, or dizygotic because they develop from two separate eggs that are fertilized by two separate sperm.In contrast, a fetus...
Ben
Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)
Ben Hamilton Johnston is a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro.-Early life:...
(who became the drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
for Biffy Clyro), and his younger brother, Adam Johnston (who is now Biffy Clyro's drum tech). The first gig he ever attended was Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
at Glasgow Barrowlands in 1995, when he was fifteen.
Biffy Clyro
Having previously played bass with schoolfriend Simon NeilSimon Neil
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
and brother Ben Johnston in a band called Screwfish in 1995, the trio moved to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, and were soon discovered by manager Dee Bahl, and then signed to Beggar's Banquet, in 2001.
Marmaduke Duke
Johnston plays bass guitarBass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
when the conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke are a conceptual rock duo from Ayrshire, Scotland, comprising Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and JP Reid of Sucioperro. Within the band, the pair perform under the pseudonyms The Atmosphere and The Dragon. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased...
plays live.
Personal life
Johnston is fond of cyclingCycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, and can often be found cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
around the hills of Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
. He has said the song Shady Lane
Brighten the Corners
Brighten the Corners is the fourth studio album released by Pavement. All songs were written by lead singer Stephen Malkmus, apart from "Date with Ikea" and "Passat Dream". The title is likely a reference to Ella Fitzgerald's Brighten the Corner, or its title track "Brighten the Corner Where You...
by Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
makes him cry
Tears
Tears are secretions that clean and lubricate the eyes. Lacrimation or lachrymation is the production or shedding of tears....
.
Johnston currently resides with his girlfriend in Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Bass guitars
Johnston's basses are usually tuned to Biffy Clyro's preferred tuning of (DADGDrop D tuning
Drop D tuning, also known as DADGBE, is an alternate, or scordatura, form of guitar tuning — specifically, a dropped tuning — in which the lowest string is tuned down from the usual E of standard tuning by one whole step to D.- Uses of drop D tuning :In drop D the three bass strings...
), but sometimes (BADG) for "Pause it and Turn It Up" and (CGCF) for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies
Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies
"Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" is the opening song on Scottish band Biffy Clyro's fourth album, Puzzle. It was released on 14 May 2007, as the second physical single from the album. The song itself, without any B-sides, was released as a digital download on 7 May 2007...
", as well as "That Golden Rule
That Golden Rule
"That Golden Rule" is the second single to be taken from Scottish alternative rock trio Biffy Clyro's fifth studio album, Only Revolutions, released on 23 August 2009....
", "The Captain
The Captain (Biffy Clyro song)
"The Captain" is the third single from Biffy Clyro's fifth studio album, Only Revolutions, released on 26 October 2009. It features a prominent brass section throughout the song. The music video was released on 23 September on NME.com...
" and "Got Wrong".
- Fender Jazz BassFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
– Lake Placid Blue USA model with upgraded pickups. - Fender Jazz BassFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
– White USA model with tortoise shell plate. - Fender Precision BassFender Precision BassThe Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
- Fender Jazz BassFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
- American Standard - Black and Sunburst - Fender Precision BassFender Precision BassThe Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
- American Standard - Olympic White - Fender Jazz BassFender Jazz BassThe Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
- American Deluxe - Natural - Ernie Ball MusicMan StingrayErnie BallErnie Ball was an American entrepreneur, musician, and innovator, widely acclaimed as a revolutionary in the development of guitar-related products. He began as a club and local television musician and small business entrepreneur, building an international business in guitars and accessories that...
- Rickenbacker 4003 - Mountains music video
- Squier Jazz Bass - Squier James Johnston Signature Jazz Bass - Lake Placid Blue
Effects pedals
- Tech21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI PreampTech 21Tech 21 is a New York based manufacturer of guitar and bass effect pedals, amps, and DI boxes which allow the user to emulate the tone of many popular guitar amps and record those sounds directly into a mixer....
- BOSS LS-2 Line SelectorBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- BOSS ODB-3 OverdriveBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- BOSS TU-2 Chromatic TunerBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
Amplifiers
- Ashdown ABM 900 HeadAshdown- People :*Jamie Ashdown, footballer*Paddy Ashdown, British politician*Pete Ashdown, US businessman and politician*Peter Ashdown, racing driver*Thomas Albery Ashdown, Lt Commander RNR Rtd...
- Ashdown Classic CabinetsAshdown- People :*Jamie Ashdown, footballer*Paddy Ashdown, British politician*Pete Ashdown, US businessman and politician*Peter Ashdown, racing driver*Thomas Albery Ashdown, Lt Commander RNR Rtd...