James Kennedy (born 15 March 1980) is a Welsh rock solo artist, author and podcaster.[1] He was formerly the singer and guitarist in the alternative rock band Kyshera[2] until they disbanded in 2018[3] and now fronts the band James Kennedy & The Underdogs.[4] He has released eight albums since 2010, including three with Kyshera and five solo releases[5] with his latest being Make Anger Great Again, released in 2020 by Konic Records.[6] Also in 2020, Kennedy's autobiography Noise Damage was published by Eye Lightning Books[7] which peaked at number one on Amazon.[8]
At the age of ten, Kennedy was diagnosed with advanced bilateral cholesteatoma, a destructive expanding growth in both of his middle ears which required three major ear operations. As a result of the surgery, he lost 40% of his hearing in both ears and developed constant white noise Tinnitus in his left ear.[11]
Kennedy frequently receives online trolling from people mistaking him for James Kennedy from the US reality show Vanderpump Rules.[12] He was one of several artists who gave evidence at a 2022 hearing at the House of Lords about the difficulties for UK artists to tour in Europe post-Brexit.[13] In November 2022, Kennedy alleged that he was physically assaulted by three plain-clothed police officers whilst sitting in his car, resulting in an ongoing investigation which the South Wales Police have said they are taking "extremely seriously".[14]
In 2013, he won a court case against the record label Rising Records over the release of the Kyshera album Made in China.[15]
Discography
With Kyshera
Paradigm (2010)
Made in China (2012)
Circle (2015)
As James Kennedy
9.i.P (2012)
The National Health Service (2013)
Cover Songs Vol 1 (2016)
Home (2017)
Make Anger Great Again (2020)
Make Acoustic Great Again EP (2023)
Bibliography
Noise Damage: My Life as a Rock'n'Roll Underdog (2020)
Loud Medicine: Dispatches from the Music Industry Underworld (2025)[16]
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