Photos provided by: Jay Simon Photography
Regardless of what venture that you accept, there is always going to be a level of risk. Associated with that risk is cost. The cost could be time, money, family, relationships, and even life. The risk is increased with a specific type of venture or investment. Often, people will invest without understanding the true risks or toll that they will incur. There are two extremes involved with when it comes to risk. The rush and need. Both are very powerful and can lead to success or disappointment. The cost can be absorbed, depending upon your situation. Unless you are investing all that you have and own for the sake of an unfulfilling venture or experience.
Today, we are not considering the types of investments, such as Gold, Silver, or Stocks. We are a referring to the music industry. Depending upon how you look at the music industry, it could be compared to Gold, Silver, or Stocks. However, we want to dig down deep into this subject. Consider the “risk” and “reward” related to the music industry. If you are an artist living the dream of making it famous, do you not first understand the risk and cost involved in doing so? I must think that many do not. There are just way too many artists, trying to be “the one”.
According to “The Songwriter Music College” the number of artists that make it in the music industry is about 0.000002%. They go onto provide the reason for such a small percentage. Many artists that are talented, go into the music industry with the wrong idea. Instead of investing in a sustainable career as a musician, they look to be the next Ed Sheeran.
I mentioned those numbers because it provides a realistic view of your investment as an artist. Is the risk worth it? Is the cost that you pay, going to provide a return? Is it possible that artists approach their career as an artist without knowing, they could fall flat on their face? I strongly believe that the right person (s) approaches their music opportunities with the right perspective. The investment is worth the risk if you adjust your outlook and expectations. Therefore, it is important to get insight from artist who has made it big. Despite the risk she has come away victorious in every aspect of her music career. That is our friend and guitarist Jamie West-Oram.
ABOUT THE FIXX
College friends Cy Curnin on vocals and Adam Woods on drums formed the group in London in 1979, initially calling themselves Portraits. The pair placed an ad for additional members, and recruited keyboardist Rupert Greenall, guitarist Tony McGrail and bassist Russell Mckenzie later to be replaced by Charlie Barrett. Portraits issued two singles for Ariola Records: "Little Women" (1979), and "Hazards In The Home" (1980).
Later in 1980, McGrail left. At this point, the band added guitarist Jamie West-Oram (formerly of Phillip Rambow's band) and changed their name to The Fix. This version of the band recorded for 101 Records, releasing their first single ("Lost Planes") in February 1981. This track, along with several live tracks issued by 101 on various compilations, received some radio exposure on the BBC. In these early days West-Oram was billed simply as "Jamie West".
The Fixx's raised profile eventually led to the group being offered a contract by MCA Records. Worried about the potential drug-user implication of the band's name, MCA insisted on a name change before signing them to the label. A compromise was reached as the band altered the spelling of their name to The Fixx, and a deal was duly inked
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE WEST-ORAM OF THE FIXX AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Well first, we want to thank you for taking the time to interview with us today. I was pleased with your accomplishments. I think it defines those at Guitar Thrills Magazine as well. Great choice in words to describe yourself indeed.
Guitar Thrills: Honestly, we don’t try to dig into the lives of our guests. If there is something that you would like to offer up, then that is cool with us. Let’s start with how you got into the music industry, and what inspired you to follow the path of an artist?
Jamie: Thanks very much for the kind words and the opportunity to talk music. If it’s OK I’d like to flip those 2 questions. Why the path of an artist? Music is in my blood. I’m the youngest of 4 and grew up in a house full of music. We all played and sang just because we loved it. My Dad would bring back records from abroad including North and South America and the Caribbean. He had Django Reinhard, Earl Hines, Wes Montgomery, Harry Bellafonte, Glenn Miller… Classical too. Everything from Bach to Bartok. My siblings would buy records - mainly singles which we stacked up on the record player and let them drop one by one. I was 9 when The Beatles and Stones became known so it could be for example ‘She Loves You’, ‘Little Red Rooster’, ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘My Generation’, ‘I Get Around’, ‘She’s Not There’… I think the first one I bought was ‘Purple Haze’ when I was 13. ‘My Generation’ and ‘Purple Haze’ were game-changers for me.
Anyway looking back I was always a daydreamer and incapable of following a sensible career path so an artistic one was inevitable.
How I got into the music industry? I was always in bands. It was the only way I stood a hope in hell of attracting girls. By the age of 18 I realised guitar-playing was the only way I’d ever make a living. I mentioned this to somebody at school. They laughed and that made me determined to make it.
I blagged my way into the Leeds College of Music in about 1973. I was in a band called She’s French at the same time. It was hard to give the full commitment to both but they were good to me and good for me. My friends from Leeds helped me a lot once we all gravitated to London. I had to take on ‘real’ work at first and I was determined to be a pro as I didn’t want to be carrying sacks of tiles up steep ladders forever although roofing is a noble trade.
Guitar Thrills: That is awesome. Like I mentioned before. How much does your background have on your music style and sound?
Jamie: It’s good that you said ‘background’ - not just ‘musical background’. The answer is ‘Massively’. Of course we try to emulate our heroes, musically and otherwise and we both succeed and fail in ways that can shape who we become. As a guitar player I’m probably a melting pot of Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Hendrix, Neil Young, Jeff Beck, Tom Verlaine, Jimmy Nolan, Albert King… (Personally speaking I had strong male role models in my Father and my older brother Stephen. So I count myself lucky. Strangely my son Jack is now becoming a great role model! It’s the wrong way round but he’s a total hero).
Playing guitar is a fantastic way to channel emotions, even when you start out. I eventually reached a stage where I understood theory. It’s a dark art and enables you to cast spells on your audience. Then you learn about tone, dynamics, restraint… and listening. That way everyone has a good time.
Guitar Thrills: I would like to focus on the topic of this interview for a little bit. We don’t have to read the article to know that there is risk in taking up a career in music. The question is it worth the cost worth the risk? What is your immediate response without thinking way too much about it.
Jamie: No choice really. If you are really determined you’ll keep going. Glad I did. You have to stay healthy though. All my older siblings chose careers that they loved. Nurse, Helicopter Pilot and Actor in reverse order of age. This encouraged me to pursue the dream.
Guitar Thrills: Has there been events or experiences that led to questioning your choice in a music career? If so, please explain.
Jamie: When you have a wife and kids leaving them behind to tour is really hard that’s all. Bibi has been amazingly loyal and always understood that music makes me tick. Sometimes she comes with me but I’m not great company on tour because my mind is on the show from the moment I wake up but she gets it and she is the funniest person I know. And believe me I know a lot of funny people!.
Guitar Thrills: You’re an extremely talented guitarist and have been an instrumental part in the success of The FIXX. Do you believe you personally have received the accolades that you deserve?
Jamie: Totally. Above and beyond. Sometimes I get genuine compliments from extremely gifted and successful guitarists whom I admire and I have to pinch myself. But it’s O.K. I can take it!
Guitar Thrills: What rewards have you obtained in your life as a successful guitarist? Also what has been your biggest achievement as a member of “The FIXX”?
Jamie: I can make a living from doing what I love… and I get a huge buzz from the audience reacting to our own original music … Can you imagine how great that feels?
Biggest achievement in The Fixx? It always felt comfortable musically from the start but they helped me find a sound and a style and that’s an achievement. When I first joined it was a Les Paul Junior straight into a Marshall cranked to 11. Then I was gradually steered by them sonically and by Rupert Hine and Steve Taylor. That clean shimmery thing started when I hit some chords while recording ‘Some People’ and Steve put my guitar through a compressor and a Roland Dimension D. I’d say that Steve helped me massively with my awareness of guitar sound and encouraged me to experiment and he played a big part in shaping my identity.
Guitar Thrills: That is great to hear. If you didn’t have the passion and desire, music would have a short shelf life for you. Our point is to make artists aware of the risks and cost that are involved. Every singer cannot make music their profession. Working in the music industry is difficult. You don’t become famous overnight. Did you have the correct perspective before pursuing a career in the music industry?
Jamie: I never had a plan B. But that’s because there was no alternative. I see what you mean in that it’s precarious. To make a living? You’ve got to either become one of those sight-reading photographic memory people or create a style that nobody else has. Or both. You’ve got to be prepared to make sacrifices just to afford a set of strings.
Guitar Thrills: It was a time when many bands turned to the synthesizer and at times it could be difficult to distinguish your sound from other bands. However, The FIXX was able to do that. Was that something that you had considered?
Jamie: I got slightly worried by Tubeway Army and others because that was very clever, and I wondered if audiences might lose interest in guitar music. But by that time Rupert (our Rupert in The Fixx) and I were really starting to make room for each other musically and my ‘chimey’ thing was making sense. And Cy’s lyrics became more and more arresting and relevant. More so now than before actually. But it was a natural evolution and no way contrived. And happily, guitars seem to be here to stay!
Guitar Thrills: What did you think was required to get to the next level in your career?
Jamie: In ’83 we probably should have kept touring. We were loving that life and it might have been a good move career-wise. But we were talked into recording our 3rd album instead. No regrets though. Phantoms is a great album. And we are still here.
Guitar Thrills: Undoubtedly you have your share of trial an error. If you knew what you know now, would you still have pursued a career in the music industry?
Jamie: Again, no choice. I’m a walking guitar.
Guitar Thrills: We are glad to hear that. Because while it may be difficult for some to overcome their failures and the hurdles of the music industry, we feel that it will get easier for you. You have a unique guitar playing ability that sets you apart of the rest. What has helped you in your progress as a guitarist?
Jamie: The people around me. The band, our manager and a supportive wife! All that encouragement… you can’t put a price on it.
Guitar Thrills: Do you have any new projects to talk about? Also where do you plan on performing next?
Jamie: Lots of new projects but nothing I can announce yet. I’ve been doing a lot of writing and recording; that’s all I can say. The Fixx are off on tour soon in the USA and the U.K.
Guitar Thrills: What is your guitar of choice and why?
Jamie: My main guitar now is a custom-built Eternal W-O 1. It’s a sort of hybrid between a T-type and an S-type. It’s built by Dave Walsh who has his workshop near Chichester here in England. Eternal guitars. Dave is an amazing craftsman. He winds his own pickups and this guitar is powerful but clear. Big chunky neck. I also have a beautiful Suhr custom S-type. John Suhr has also been really good to me.
Guitar Thrills: Well, we know that you will continue to make it in the music industry. You have a good head on your shoulders, and you have the right expectations. Putting in some hard work, and never giving up is key to your success. I believe the world of music was better for the existence of THE FIXX.
Jamie: That’s really kind of you. Thanks very much.
Guitar Thrills: We hope that we can reschedule for another interview soon. Thank you much for your time. We will continue to listen to The FIXX. Always etched in our memories.
A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
