Tanz Der Youth - Brian James

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 Tanz Der Youth Live Review | The Damned 
After leaving The Damned Brian James formed Tanz Der Youth with ex members of Hawkwind and Warsaw Pakt. He described the band as "Transmagical; the sound of the eighties." Accepted wisdom is they failed. Interesting start to their career when they supported Black Sabbath on a major tour. They lasted 7 dates before conceding defeat against missiles thrown by headbangers. I think they also played Reading Festival to similar reaction. One single on Radar Records I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry / Delay (1978) which is ok. Band:

Brian James  - Guitar & Vocals
Andy Colqhoun (ex Warsaw Pakt) - Bass
Allen Powell (ex Hawkwind) - Drums
Tony Moor - Keyboards

Session for John Peel broadcast 9.8.78 and featured Why I Die, Mistaken, Delay & I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry.

Brian then worked with Jean Jaques Burnel and interestingly with Andy Blade ex of Eater. Work with the latter can be heard on the free single Lying Again To Me /Death given with the De Lorean Complete Eater album. Lying Again To Me sounds excellent. Shame they didn't continue.

He also worked awhile with Stewart Copeland in the flexible personneled  Brian James & The Brains and a single was released on BJ Records in 1979 Ain't That A Shame / Living In Sin / I Can Make You Cry. The latter song the pick. In the end the band settled as per picture opposite. From top left :

Alan Lee Shaw (ex Rings & Maniacs) - Guitar
John Towe (ex ATV, Chelsea, Gen X & Rage) - Drums
Brian James (ex Damned) - Guitar
Alvin Gibbs (ex Users and soon to be UK Sub) - Bass

I don't think Brian lived up to the promise of his early days till his Stooges like guitar met the Iggy like figure of Stiv Bators in the excellent Lords Of The New Church where I think his best work outside of The Damned is to be found.

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Brian James & The Brains promo photo from Steve Phypers