White Jimmy

White Jimmy (born James Reginald White, January 11, 1959 in New York City, New York) is the lead singer of the American punk rock band The Deadweights, and a solo punk rock/alternative rock artist.

Early years

James White was born in New York City to an Italian father and Irish/British mother. He grew up in a mixed neighborhood, but went to the public schools which were mostly African American, and gained the nickname White Jimmy there. He never took it as racist, and has used it as a moniker his entire life since then. In the 1970s, he became a fan of proto punk band New York Dolls, and seminal punk band The Ramones, and began singing in a punk rock band. In 1978, he and Eddie Urland formed The Deadweights.

Time in The Deadweights

Throughout his time in The Deadweights' original run, he penned most of the lyrics and came up with some of the music. He became an alcoholic and also became addicted to [...]. By 1987, the band was constantly fighting, and Jimmy overdosed twice between the band's breakup and his final stint in rehab in 1988.

Solo career

In 1988, he gained the attention of Rick Rubin, head of Def American records, and signed with the label as a solo artist. He released his solo debut, Missing Mindstates, on June 6, 1989. He had a hit on Modern Rock radio with the song "The Fallen One". After touring for the album, he took a break from the music business.

In 1991 he left Def American and signed with SST Records, an independent label, and began work on a second solo album. The album was produced by Spot, who produced The Deadweights' 1985 album Crisis. The album, titled Try and Try Again, was released April 27, 1992. The album found some success amongst the alternative rock explosion of Grunge. In 1993, he started his own independent label, SunBurn Record Co. In 1994, he released a collection of B-sides, Back Roads and Dusty Trails.

Return to The Deadweights

In 1995, The Deadweights reunited, and he has continued to work with them. His last solo release, 2000's Dreaming: In Stereo, was a self released effort which included appearances from members of The Deadweights. Since then, he has also produced for numerous artists.

Personal life

White Jimmy is currently married to Jen Foss, an artist from Pennsylvania. He has no kids and has no interest in having any. He was previously married to a woman named Ally in the 1990s.

He is known for his eccentric appearance, specifically his now grey spikes. In the 1980s, he had blonde hair but as it lost its color with age, he left it the way it is. He is also known for wearing sunglasses and having a nose ring.

Politics

White Jimmy has been a lifelong outspoken critic of American government, and has always been strongly opposed to many of its instillments. In 1985, he was investigated by the FBI for statements on the album Crisis. He is currently against the Bush Administration and strongly opposes the war in Iraq, calling it "a senseless bloodbath in support of oil, greed, and retribution".

Discography

with The Deadweights

• First Wave Complete Destruction - 1981
• The Deadweights - 1983
• Crisis - 1985
• Prophecies of Beautiful Regression - 1987
• Recalled to Life - 1997
• Animosity - 2002
• The Deadweights' 7th studio album - 2008

Solo albums

Solo singles

Links

• Sunburn Records website
• White Jimmy at Myspace