Alex James
- Occupation:
- Musician
- Date of Birth:
- 21 November 1968
- Sex:
- Male
- Height:
- 1.88
Introduction:
Alex James (born Steven Alexander James, 21 November 1968) is a British musician, journalist, and cheesemaker, best known as the bassist of the iconic band Blur. He rose to prominence during the Britpop era of the 1990s, contributing to the band’s critical and commercial success. Beyond music, James has built a multifaceted career, including ventures into journalism, documentary filmmaking, and artisanal cheesemaking.
Alex James was born in Boscombe, Bournemouth, and attended Bournemouth School in Charminster. After completing secondary school, he studied French at Goldsmiths College, University of London. It was there that he met Graham Coxon, who later introduced him to Damon Albarn and Dave Rowntree. Together, they formed the core of what would become Blur.
Blur:
In 1989, Alex James joined a band named Seymour, which soon evolved into Blur after a recommendation from Food Records. Blur’s debut album, Leisure (1991), gained moderate success, but it was their 1994 album Parklife that catapulted them into global fame. The album’s title track, featuring actor Phil Daniels, became a defining anthem of the Britpop movement. Subsequent albums, including The Great Escape (1995), Blur (1997), and 13 (1999), showcased the band’s evolving sound and cemented their legacy as one of Britain’s most influential bands.
Following Graham Coxon’s departure in 2002, Blur entered a hiatus. In 2009, the band reunited and performed at major venues, including Hyde Park and the Glastonbury Festival, to critical acclaim. They released The Magic Whip in 2015, their first album in 12 years, which debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart.
Other Musical Projects:
In addition to Blur, James has participated in several side projects. In 1998, he co-founded Fat Les with Damien Hirst and Keith Allen, producing the hit football anthem “Vindaloo.” He collaborated with Stephen “Tin Tin” Duffy and Justin Welch in Me Me Me, whose tracks accompanied Damien Hirst’s Spellbound exhibition.
James has also worked with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Marianne Faithfull and briefly joined WigWam, a project with Betty Boo. In 2009, he formed Bad Lieutenant alongside Bernard Sumner and other New Order members.
In 2008, James presented the documentary Cocaine Diaries: Alex James in Colombia, exploring the global cocaine trade. His other television appearances include Maestro and If Music Be the Food of Love, where he played a bass guitar made entirely of cheese.
In the early 2000s, James transitioned to farming and cheesemaking, purchasing a farm in Kingham, Oxfordshire. His award-winning cheeses, including "Blue Monday" and "Little Wallop," have gained widespread recognition. James’s foray into food production reflects his passion for sustainability and rural living.
As the bassist of Blur, Alex James contributed to some of the most defining music of the 1990s. His inventive basslines and distinctive style helped shape the sound of Britpop. Beyond music, his ventures into journalism, documentary filmmaking, and cheesemaking illustrate his versatility and creative spirit.
Blur reunited in 2023 for a world tour to celebrate the release of their ninth studio album, The Ballad of Darren. The tour included high-profile performances at Wembley Stadium, further solidifying the band’s enduring legacy. James continues to write, make cheese, and appear at food and music festivals, including his curated event, The Big Feastival.
- Occupation:
- Musician
- Date of Birth:
- 21 November 1968
- Sex:
- Male
- Height:
- 1.88