Britpop star performs at Electric Palace’s Wes Anderson film screening

Matt James, drummer with ’90s indie rockers Gene, will play at the much-loved Electric Palace cinema in Hastings Old Town, before his ‘Formative Film’ choice, Rushmore, on Friday 24 March, says Annie Waite.

Musician Matt James was the drummer/co-writer in the ’90s Britpop group Gene, who sold over one million records and played festivals all around the world, as well as headlining venues including the Royal Albert Hall.

Next week he’ll play a short set at the bijou Hastings venue The Electric Palace cinema, alongside local musician John Hornig on pedal steel, before a screening of Wes Anderson’s Rushmore.

Formative Films series at the cinema

The Electric Palace cinema’s Formative Films series invites special guests to present a film that was influential to their lives and to share the reasons for their choice.

Past screenings in the series have included the sadly departed punk icon Jordan Mooney’s pick Repulsion, while Ted Polhemus chose the iconic Blow Up, and crime writer William Shaw opted for ’70s noir The Long Goodbye.

More recently sell-out crowds have enjoyed This is Spinal Tap plus a performance from East Sussex’s finest indie-country-blues band The Equatorial Group, and more live music from Peter Bruntnell with his choice of Withnail & I.

Rushmore is all heart

“Rushmore is a film with so much heart and never fails to make me belly laugh, even though I’ve seen it 50+ times. I turn to it when I need cheering up!” says Matt.

“Every aspect of film making is knocked out of the park with incredible performances from Jason Schwartzman in his film debut, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams – but the whole cast shines brightly, as does director Wes Anderson and co-writer Owen Wilson,” Matt enthuses.

“You’ll never tire of cringing at the antics of Schwartzman’s character Max Fischer – the ultimate delusional, cocky nerd. The British-based soundtrack of folks including Cat Stevens, The Kinks plus The Faces too is a masterstroke. Everything rocks!” Matt says.

Wine and working with Blur producer Stephen Street

Matt’s band Gene split in 2004, and in more recent years he has carved out a very successful career as a professional wine merchant.

But during Covid lockdown, Matt got the musical itch again and began work on his debut album Breaking the Fall, produced by legendary producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths, The Cranberries). Rooted in a tradition of British indie rock, the album has shades of country, folk and US heartland rock.

Over the past year, local East Sussex musician John Hornig (also in Hastings and Bexhill-based bands Idle Hands and The Longshore Drifters) has been performing live with Matt, adding some lilting country vibes and texture to the songs with his pedal steel guitar, a notoriously tricky instrument to master.

“It’s great playing with Matt – his material is so strong and I’m really enjoying the challenge of complementing more of an ‘American’ sound with Matt’s British songwriting roots,” says John.

“Hastings has such a rich and varied local music scene, and venues like The Electric Palace just add so much character to it,” enthuses John.

See Matt James, accompanied by John Hornig on pedal steel, at The Electric Palace on Friday 24 March, doors open 7pm with performance starting at 7.30pm. Rushmore to screen at 8pm. Book now – advance ticket purchase recommended.

Find out more about Matt James here.

John’s other bands Idle Hands play The Plough on West Hill on 31 March, while The Longshore Drifters will be at St Leonards Sailing Club on Saturday 17 March.

Also in: Music & Sound

« Jazz Hastings: Matt Ridley and The Antidote
Hastings Women’s Jazz Festival »