Jamie James digs into the vault with the new album Steppin’ Back 1988, capturing raw, prime energy as he unveils a series of previously unheard recordings.
Jamie James, best known for fronting The Kingbees and working with Harry Dean Stanton and Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, opens the vault on April 24 with Steppin’ Back 1988. In collaboration with Oglio Entertainment, he kicks off a series of previously unheard recordings.
The album captures the raw, stripped-down energy of late-’80s Los Angeles rock & roll—just a band in a room, no frills.
Best known as the frontman of cult-favorite rockabilly trio The Kingbees, Jamie James has spent decades carving out his place as a true rock & roll lifer. Over the years, he has shared the stage with the late Harry Dean Stanton, performed with Dennis Quaid & The Sharks, and steadily evolved through his solo work.
With this release, Steppin’ Back 1988 serves as a true time capsule. It offers a rare glimpse into an earlier chapter of his journey. The collection features ten original tracks recorded during a particularly energized period. Ultimately, it captures the unfiltered spirit of a band locked in, plugged in, and playing like there’s no tomorrow.
Inside Steppin’ Back 1988
Steppin’ Back 1988 marks the first in a series of archival releases curated from Jamie James’ vault. As a result, it gives fans a deeper look into previously unheard chapters of his career. Jamie James wrote all the songs, and the collection leans into a gritty, back-to-basics approach rooted in rock & roll’s most enduring qualities—attitude, immediacy, and groove.
Furthermore, the album highlights Jamie James working with a tight, no-frills lineup. He leads on vocals and guitar, joined by Danny O’Brien on drums and background vocals, and Ricky Venus on bass and background vocals.
In addition, tracks like “Pieces,” “Two Faces,” and “Canadian Blues” sit alongside high-energy cuts such as “Rox Off” and “Outlaw.” Together, they paint a vivid picture of an artist and band fully immersed in the moment.
Jamie James says:
Welcome to 1988! Steppin’ Back is exactly what it sounds like — a time machine. Ten original songs, recorded the old-fashioned way: guitar, bass, drums, plug in, hit record, and rock. No tricks, no overthinking. Just the pure energy of a band locked in a room and going for it.
He also added that, as they sang in “Rox Off,” there was a “danger zone called rock ’n’ roll,” and back in ’88, they were living right in the middle of it. Moreover, he said the sessions were a blast to make and thanked Oglio Records for bringing it back to life.
With Steppin’ Back 1988, he did more than revisit the past. He threw the doors open and let it roar back to life, exactly as it was meant to be heard.
Press Release
