Joshua James (rock Musician) - Pop Culture

Pop Culture

Joshua James has been referenced as somewhat of a rebel icon or folk hero by various musical and comedic artists.

In 2000 James' album Tanked Up and Derailed was featured on the Fox TV show/Eddie Murphy creation The PJs.

On the 2003 self-titled release by the Portland based band Mars Needs Women they reference Joshua James Huff and his band Runaway Trains on the fourth track of their album. In their song about cruising titled Pimpin' in the Lincoln they sing, "We've got Josh and the Trains riding in the back."

Stevi Marie gives mention to James on her 2004 album I Thought I Told You. During the song "Good as Marilyn Monroe on a bad day" she refers to the hard partying image of James and his band with the line, "I'm tired of all these plain Janes, tonight I wanna party like the Runaway Trains."

Rock - folk singer Kate Mann sings "I'm gonna find me a man just like Joshua James who will steel me away on his runaway train" in the song "Ode to Motorcycle Boots" which appears on her 2005 release November Songs.

In February 2004 Huff played a series of benefit shows with Portland singer Art Alexakis for Friends of the Reservoirs in an effort to raise money and awareness for the non-profit foundation.

Joshua also donated song and performance to the 2004 Rock the Vote campaign. "HWY 99 North", his song about the hardships of growing up in a small American town with dwindling economic resources was included on Failing Records Vol. 1. This was a compilation album that helped fund the Rock the Vote street team.

According to the an article written in the May 3, 2007 edition of The Skanner by Kelly Moyer, Joshua James spoke at the peaceful demonstration that took place on Killingsworth Street in North Portland. Protesters targeted the local bar, the Florida Room, as a racist and sexist establishment. James took the microphone and gave a moving speech pertaining to his life growing up as an ethnic minority and being the target of racism. As James continued, he spoke about community acceptance, the significance of diversity and the importance of being understanding and respectful of the differing views of ones neighbors.