Blur’s Alex James has revealed that he wants to work with Johnny Marr.
Talking to the Daily Star, James – who is organising his own food and music event, The Big Feastival, from his Oxfordshire farm this weekend – said that while he wouldn’t be interested in pursuing a solo career, he’d like to join Marr and Nile Rodgers in a supergroup.
The former Smiths guitarist joined the Chic man onstage earlier this year at Manchester’s Parklife Weekender, with Marr later hinting that the pair could continue their collaboration by entering the studio together.
James said: “Although I hadn’t done it for a while, I know what to do in Blur. Playing the bass in a rock ‘n’ roll band is a straightforward activity – you just have to stand still. I’d like to do something next year. I’m no frontman, so a solo album wouldn’t work. I’m picky and it’s a big commitment to make music properly.”
He added: “More than anyone else, I’d like to play with that new band of Nile Rodgers and Johnny Marr – that’s what I call a fucking supergroup.”
Earlier this month, Blur returned to play a huge show at Hyde Park, three years after their two acclaimed comeback gigs at the central London venue. The band subsequently revealed that they will release a recording of the Olympic closing ceremony concert – titled ‘Parklive’, the 3CD set features tracks from the Hyde Park show and a bonus disc of previously unreleased live material from the band’s recent warm-up shows in Margate, Plymouth and Wolverhampton.
It’s unlikely fans will get to hear any more new material soon, however, as guitarist Graham Coxon said earlier this month that the band have no definite future plans to record together.