Unlocking the Vault: Jamie James and the Raw Energy of 1988
A Time Capsule of Pure Rock & Roll
Jamie James, the frontman of the cult-favorite rockabilly trio The Kingbees, is finally opening his personal vault to the public. In a new collaboration with Oglio Entertainment, the “rock & roll lifer” is set to release Steppin’ Back 1988, a digital-only collection arriving on April 24, 2026. This release marks the first in a series of archival projects curated from previously unreleased material, offering fans a rare glimpse into a high-octane chapter of a helluva run.
Recorded at Wireworks Studios in Rosemead, California and engineered by Mark “Rusty” Cusick, Steppin’ Back 1988 captures James and his band during a particularly energized period. The album features ten original tracks recorded straight up: guitar, bass, and drums. James describes the sessions as a “time machine” that captures the finely aged vocals, signature twang and unfiltered spirit of a band “playing like there’s no tomorrow”.
“No tricks, no overthinking,” James says of the recording process. “Just the pure energy of a band locked in a room and going for it”. Backed by Danny O’Brien on drums and Ricky Venus on bass, James delivers a performance rooted in rock & roll’s most enduring attitude, full throttle intensity with a rock-a-billy boogie that reigns in an eternal way that legends like Gene Vincent, Carl Perkins, Eddie Cochran, Dave Alvin would truly dig.
Living in the “Danger Zone”
By 1988, James was already a mainstay of the rock and rockabilly scenes. Reflecting on the era, James recalls, “As we sang in ‘Rox Off’ — ‘there’s a Danger Zone called Rock n’ Roll’ — and back in ’88, we were living right in the middle of it”. This grit is evident throughout the tracklist, which includes high-energy cuts like “Outlaw” and “Rox Off,” as well as blues-infused numbers like “Canadian Blues,” “Two Faces” and our personal favorite “Twist of Fate”.
Critics have long noted that James doesn’t just play music—he “lives in it”. His style has been described as a blend of signature twang and “blues-pop,” harkening back to the era of legends. While James is well-known for his work with The Kingbees, his influence extends through decades of collaborations, including sharing stages with Harry Dean Stanton and trading riffs with Dennis Quaid & The Sharks. Steppin’ Back 1988 serves as a testament to his evolution and his commitment to “stick to what you love”.
Steppin’ Back 1988 Track Listing:
- Pieces
- Two Faces
- Canadian Blues
- All I Got
- Twist of Fate
- Rox Off
- Love and Sex
- Cruel World
- Outlaw
- Long Shot
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About Oglio Records
Celebrating over 32 years in the music industry, Oglio Records has built a reputation as a top independent label, with releases spanning rock, hip-hop, and comedy. The label has worked with icons such as Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek (The Doors), Cyndi Lauper, Smash Mouth, Kool Keith, and many more. Oglio’s success has even landed them a spot on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in America.
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*Special thanks to our friends at Earshot Media. Check out their website at EarshotMedia.com
