MICHAEL KULAS

Michael Kulas joined James in March 1997, initially on a trial period as a backing vocalist for a couple of US promo shows during the Whiplash tour.  His backing vocals added a new edge to the songs and he was invited to stay with the band for their UK tour, where he also contributed some guitar and percussion work. Brian Eno reportedly asked who he was and that James should do anything to keep him such was the power his backing vocals added to the James sound.

Over time, Michael has been fully integrated into the James sound and has become involved in the James songwriting process, most notably on the intro riff to Runaground and the b-sides to We're Going To Miss You - Pocketful of Lemons and Wisdom Of The Throat.

Prior to joining James, Michael was in a band called The Sea and met Saul through a mutual friend who worked in a Toronto music shop in 1994.  At the time he was playing in various bands in the area.  Saul offered to produce Michael's debut album which he was about to record.  "Mosquito" was a success on the Canadian independent radio circuit.

A new album Another Small Machine was released on a small independent Canadian label in March 2001. There is also an unreleased album, "Soundtracks", of instrumentals Michael recorded for use in films.  He also wrote an instrumental soundtrack for the Canadian independent film "Jade Love"

Since leaving James, Michael has produced the debut album by Katie Griffin and formed his own band Dead City Radio.