Slim Jim Phantom

Slim Jim Phantom

Slim Jim Phantom, birth name James McDonnell, was born on March 20th, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York.

He owns The Cat Club on the Sunset Strip and was married to Britt Ekland from March 20th, 1984 to 1992. They have a son T.J. who was born in 1988.

Slim Jim Phantom is the drummer for a number of rockabilly bands:

  • Stray Cats
  • Phantom, Rocker & Slick
  • Swing Cats
  • Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B
  • Col. Parker
  • 13 Cats
  • Dead Men Walking
Slim Jim Phantom
Slim Jim Phantom Photos : Copyright Faith Cowlin Courtesy of www.slimjimphantom.com
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Slim Jim Phantom Interview

You have just currently ended a UK tour with ‘Dead Men Walking’. Can you tell us who’s in the band, and how the tour is being received?

DMW is made up of Capt. Sensible of The Damned, Mike Peters of The Alarm, Kirk Brandon of Spear of Destiny, and myself. The tour did great and we’re finishing an album and will tour again soon.

Most people remember you as the drummer that stands up with the stray cats, (Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker) do you play drums in the regular way when you record with your other groups?

I play sitting down when the music calls for it and stand up for certain gigs, it all depends.

Tell us about you the songwriter…do you write alone, with others, etc.

I usually write with someone – Lee and Brian in the past and currently with the Dead Men Walking guys. I’ve also enjoyed writing with Danny B Harvey, Tim Polecat, and Gilby Clarke – all great players and writers.

When you are looking for inspiration, who would you listen to?

I’ll listen to any of the original rockers. Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, and of course Elvis.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

Hopefully on the road and in the studio. Traveling and playing my drums.

Who would you most like to gig with?

I enjoy all live situations, but there will never be anything quite like a Stray Cats live show.

What is your ultimate goal with your music?

My goal has always been to make my living as a musician while doing good work.

What’s in your CD player right now?

Gram Parsons, Grievous Angel

What advice would you give to songwriters just beginning their careers?

Just keep writing, working the craft, and try to develop your own thing.

What do you think of the current music scene?

I don’t know that much about the current scene, but it’s probably like it always was, I like things that are roots-based.

What’s next for slim jim phantom?

Back to England to finish the DMW album and a few shows over Christmas.

Discography

Stray Cats

BRIAN SETZER – Guitar & Vocals

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums

LEE ROCKER – Stand-up Bass

Released: 1993 ORIGINAL COOL

Released: 1992 CHOO CHOO HOT FISH

Released: 1990 LET’S GO FASTER

Released: 1989 BLAST OFF

Released: 1986 ROCK THERAPY

Released: 1983 RANT N’ RAVE

Released: 1982 BUILT FOR SPEED

Released: 1981 GONNA BALL

Released: 1981 STRAY CATS

Phantom, Rocker & Slick

EARL SLICK (FRANK MADELONI) – Guitar & Vocals

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LEE ROCKER – Vocals & Bass

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums & Vocals

Released: 1986 COVER GIRL

Released: 1985 PHANTOM, ROCKER & SLICK

Swing Cats

DANNY B HARVEY – Guitar

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums

LEE ROCKER – Stand-up Bass

Released: 2002 A ROCK-A-BILLY CHRISTMAS

Released: 2000 SWING CAT STOMP

Released: 2000 A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ELVIS

Released: 1999 SWING CATS

Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B

LEMMY – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar & Harmonica

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals

DANNY B HARVEY – Electric Guitar, Keyboards & Bass

Released: 2000 LEMMY, SLIM JIM & DANNY B

Col. Parker

GILBY CLARKE – Guitar & Vocals

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums

MUDDY STARDUST – Bass & Vocals

TEDDY ANDREADIS – Keyboards

2001 ROCK N ROLL MUSIC, Released:2001

13 Cats

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums

TIM POLECAT – Vocals

SMUTTY SMITH – Bass

DANNY B HARVEY – Guitar

Released: 2004 (Japan) IN THE BEGINNING 2

Released: 2003 (US) 13 TRACKS 13 CATS

Released: 2002 (Japan) 13 TRACKS 3 CATS

Released: 2002 IN THE BEGINNING

Dead Men Walking

MIKE PETERS – Guitar, Harmonica & Vocals

KIRK BRANDON – Guitar & Vocals

SLIM JIM PHANTOM – Drums & Vocals

CAPTAIN SENSIBLE – Bass & Vocals (Live At CBGB’s only)

GLEN MATLOCK – Bass, Guitar & Vocals (Live At Leeds + Live In Darwen)

BRUCE WATSON – Guitar (Live At Darwen only)

BILLY DUFFY – Guitar & Vocals (Live At Leeds only)

Released: 2005 LIVE AT CBGB’s NEW YORK CITY

Released: 2004 LIVE IN DARWEN

Released: 2003 LIVE AT LEEDS

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