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James Durbin
See all Rock
Watch the heavy metal-inspired rocker perform tracks from his debut studio album.
You've arrived at Soundcheck...
Walmart’s original performance series where you get up close and personal with your favorite artists. Check out live performances and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from original in-studio sets – all filmed exclusively in HD. Soundcheck is broadcast in Walmart stores nationwide – or catch us online 24/7.
Help/FAQ
You won't need to download any additional video players or downloads. The Soundcheck performances play right inside the site itself, making it quick and easy to access.
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• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
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We have a top-notch music label relations team that helps us book acts. They are constantly on the phone with music labels around the country trying to get the best bands on Soundcheck.
Soundcheck is an original performance series created by the Wal-Mart Music team, giving you the opportunity to go behind the scenes and get an in-studio look at some of your favorite artists. Soundcheck plays right here on Walmart.com, or, for the full high definition experience, visit any Walmart store and head to the Electronics department to watch it on the Walmart TV Network.
We'll be adding new performances on a regular basis throughout the year, so please check back regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck for more information.
We'll have artists from all genres; some old, some new, some huge, some more emerging - but all will be presented in the same intimate studio environment. So be on the lookout!
Check in regularly at Walmart.com/soundcheck, or visit your local Walmart store and watch the Walmart TV Network.
No. Just visit Walmart.com/soundcheck and watch for free!
Once the performances launch, you can play it anytime you want, 24 hours a day. We'll keep all artists up on the site under "The Performances" tab.
We recommend broadband DSL or Cable to anyone who wants to truly enjoy video and audio on the Internet. However, we have made available a smaller dial-up version so you don't miss out.
If you are reading this page right now, you likely have everything you need. However, watching the Soundcheck performances requires at least the following in order to properly stream media content:
PC
• Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional, Vista or Windows 7 in 32bit and 64bit
• Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor (or equivalent)
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Internet Explorer 6.0 to 8.0 (IE 8.0 recommended)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Flash Version 9.0.115 and up.
MAC
• Mac OS X v10.4 or later
• PowerPC G5 1.8GHz, Intel Core Duo 1.33GHz or faster processor
• At least 256 MB RAM
• 64MB of VRAM (video card memory)
• Mozilla Firefox 2.0 to 3.5
• Safari 3.0
If you have the minimum system requirements, reinstall your Flash Player by clicking here
Browse Videos
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Performance Photos
About The Artist
The Set List
I go to those points in my life and I pick out those people and I imagine that they’re in front of me. Like they’re nose to nose, and I just scream at the top of my lungs in their faces!
That’s James Durbin explaining the benefits of rock 'n' roll to Walmart Soundcheck. The guy responsible for “bringing heavy metal to the American Idol stage” answers the critics with his triumphant new album, ‘Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster." Ready for some awesome payback? Check out our set with James - and go pick up a copy of ‘Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster’ online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
-The Crew at Walmart Soundcheck
On Auditioning For Idol:
“Before Idol I was working as a delivery guy. I asked for the day off so I could audition for Idol. No one there knew that I sang and knew that was my passion. They told me that I wouldn’t be able to get the day off!”
On The Writing Process:
“It was so mind-blowing, so eye-opening being in a writing session. I got to work with Marty Frederiksen, who’s written for Aerosmith and Buckcherry. It was really cool learning how to piece together my ideas. It’s a process. Sometimes things just flow perfectly, but not always. It’s not worth getting frustrated. I learned a lot just on those few writing sessions.”
On Being An “Outcast”:
“I get a lot of stories from people that have Tourette’s and Asperger’s and Autism, and just people that are different. People that feel singled out and have always been singled out. They hear that song ['Outcast'] and they feel empowered. They feel, 'I was made this way for a reason.' It’s hard but you’ll find out what that reason is. I didn’t know until I got on American Idol and I had this platform – in front of 30 million people every week – to tell them who I was and that I’m proud of it. I won’t change for anyone.”
On Growing Up:
“I was bullied, beat up, spit on and called horrible names all throughout elementary, middle school and high school. I go to those points in my life and I pick out those people and I imagine that they’re in front of me. Like they’re nose to nose, and I just scream at the top of my lungs in their faces!”
On Playing Live:
“I’m absolutely floored that I get to present to this album to my fans every single night. They already have it physically in their hands, but I wanna give it to them. I wanna hand it to them on a silver platter”
He’s famous for “bringing heavy metal to the American Idol stage.” 23 year-old James Durbin captured America’s hearts and finished fourth place on the 2011 season of American Idol.[All facts sourced from label bio / official artist site.]
• He suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome and Tourette’s Syndrome. Explains James: “I didn’t know until I got on American Idol and I had this platform – in front of 30 million people every week – to tell them who I was and that I’m proud of it. I won’t change for anyone.”
• He teams up with his favorite band (and a metal legend) on his new album, ‘Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster.’ James collaborated with Swedish cult rockers Hardcore Superstar and a metal legend: Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars.
• His new record was produced by Howard Benson. The Grammy-nominated producer is responsible for recent hits with Daughtry, My Chemical Romance and Three Doors Down.
• ‘Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster’ is in stores now! Pick up a copy of the record online and in Walmart stores nationwide.
"I was approached by the NFL with the song ‘Stand Up.’ I listened to the song on repeat over and over and over. There was something about the song; it just pulled me in. I knew if I could sing this and I could interpret it in my own way that I could really reel in my fans as well as make new fans.”
Love Me Bad
“’Love Me Bad’ was written by Marty Frederiksen, and one of the main reasons I love the song is because it is that "available" song. Anyone that likes any style of music can listen to that song and find something that they enjoy out of it. I guess the theme of it is wanting back something or someone that you’ve lost. I’m getting married soon, so that’s the only one that I’m thinking about!”
Right Behind You
“The song really gives you a lot of hope and it’s much different from any of the other songs on the record. I was approached by the US Army and they wanted to take this song and put it in 100,000 USB bracelets and send them out to the troops and their families. I immediately jumped on the bandwagon. I’m so thankful for everything they do for us and it’s a way to give back.”
Higher Than Heaven
The opening rocker on ‘Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster’ showcases the James Durbin that captured America's hearts: authentic, melodic, and shamelessly metal: Sings the Santa Cruz native: “I don’t need mercy / Nothing can hurt me / As long as you’re with me / I’m higher than heaven.”
Love In Ruins
“I think that the greatest part about working with (producer) Howard Benson was that it was a group effort. ‘Love In Ruins’ was the first song that I recorded. There’s a mutual connection here. It’s not just being told what to do. It’s like, 'Well, let’s try this!' If it wasn’t for Howard Benson, none of it would have been possible."
