Interview with Johanne James

September 2002

Hey there Johanne, first interview with you for Light And Space (and first ever since you joined Threshold, I guess): how does it feels to be part of this band?

It feels good to be in Threshold, I have a lot of freedom to do more or less as I please, so I make it as GROOVEY as possible, sticking to the arrangements of course.

Little is known about you so introduce yourself to the readers...

Hi there , my name is Johanne , or Mr Grimes as I am now known , why ? you will have to ask the other guys in THE BAND.

(Note by Rob: his name is pronounced Yo-hanne!! Be warned, if you call him Joanne he would say it's a female name! ^_^)

When did you start playing drums ? And what are the albums/bands you grew up with ?

I started playing drums at age 15, grew up listening to Deep Purple, LED ZEP, James Brown, Genesis ,and too many others to mention. I dont really have any, I have heard far too much to say that I have a favourite , they all have something special.

And what about drummers ? Anyone you have been inspired by ?

Billy Cobham and Terry Bozzio were a big influence on me early on , then came Omar Hakim, Denis Chambers ,Vinnie Colaiuta , Dave Lombardo and Paul Bostaph.
I listen to a lot of classical music , mainly Stravinsky.

How did you get in contact with Threshold, in 1997 ?

I was told by a friend that a band were looking for a drummer to do a tour and was given Damiens number who then put me in touch with Jon, whom I called, he then sent me a tape that I listend to, liked and said I would do it, went to a rehearsal and that was it, I became a member of Threshold!

Describe your bandmates using a word for each... (one of my favourite questions! ^_^ - Rob)

Nick, quiet; Jon,mindful; Carl,calm; Rich, technical; Mac,well words do not describe Mac, so i'll leave that one alone :)

Is touring with them fun ? Tell us something happened on tour that the Tour Diaries never revealed... ;)

Touring is great fun, but what goes on the road, stays on the road, and is'nt for the readers to know, unfortunately...

And about the tour, last year you had one of the smallest drumkits I've ever seen in a rock/metal concert: was a choice of your own or just a lack of space for other cymbals and drums ? :)

I like using a small kit, it's all I need.

You also write music (for a side band about which I'll ask you later) and sing - you even teach singing! -, why don't you do it with Threshold ?

Threshold dont need anymore voices. (he later explained me that he's got a depper, different voice, so it has no use with Threshold. - Rob)

Tell us about your side-project, Kyrbgrinder: why have you described it as spice metal ?

Kyrbgrinder is a 3 piece band playing music we like to listen to and play, simple; as for spice metal that is a pile of pooo; it's just metal :)

I listened to "the guide" and noticed you have such a "black" voice, which would be perfect for lowest parts on Threshold vocal harmonies, don't you think ?

Of course my voice is black, I am black but not a lot of people know that!

Speaking about Critical Mass... reading the liner notes it seems Rich and Karl wanted you to feel free and add your own drum parts (instead of spending hours programming drums!), it is so ?

I was given the freedom to play more or less what I wanted , so I grooved as much as I could

What are the Threshold songs you like most to listen and/or to play live ?

What are, Part of the chaos is the best song in my humble opinion for me to play and listen to, it has the passion of a mother elephant

What do you think when you are playing live and see Mac doing the "Macrobatics" ? :)

I only concentrate on what I'm doing , onlty the here and now matter , what mac does is entirely up to him

Tell us your opinion about the previous Threshold drummers... I think Mark Heaney in particular was the most respectable - speaking about the musician!

Mark Heaney is an extremely accomplished drummer and musician , the others I dont know , I have no opinion

Do you have a "music dream", like playing with someone in particular ?

I have no other dream other than to play with the musicians I am already working with

"What we resist - persists" was something you used to say (I once read it on the Threshold website... but I'm not sure to remember well!): can you explain it ?

It means you must totaly accept what is, because you have no choice.

Thanx Johanne... so accept my requests for interviews because you have no choice! ^_^

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