Durbin was born to Judy Settle-Durbin. His father Willy Durbin, a musician, died of drug overdose when he was 9. He was diagnosed with Tourette's and Asperger's syndrome shortly after his father died. He has facial tics, some social awkwardness, and restricted interests.
He has a fiancée, Heidi whom he met in a bar and considered his 'rock'. They have a son together named Hunter.
In 2006, he performed in Santa Cruz-based children's theater group called Kids on Broadway and played the lead role in "Beauty and the Beast" and "Singin' in the Rain", as well as "West Side Story" in a production by All About Theatre, a Santa Cruz community theatre company. He was also the lead singer in a metal band called The Hollywood Scars. He said he has also done country music before.
James was invited to record and mix his amazing vocal talent with legendary producer/engineer/artist Alan Parsons (of The Alan Parsons Project/Beatles/Pink Floyd fame). Along with professional vocalist PJ Olsson, the group recorded James' vocals on Alan Parsons' song "We Play The Game," a collaboration with The Crystal Method.
Then only 19, James' drive, power, and musical insight were all too evident as he and Alan worked on recording a lead vocal and backing vocals on the Alan Parsons track from A Valid Path.
Idol Performances:
** Top 24: Personal Choice - You've Got Another Thing Comin' (Judas Priest)
** Top 13: Personal Idol - Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul McCartney)
** Top 12: Year You Were Born - I'll Be There for You (Bon Jovi)
** Top 11: Motown - Living for the City (Stevie Wonder)
** Top 11 Redux: Elton John - Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) [[artist]Elton John]
** Top 9: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles)
** Top 8: Songs from the Movies - Heavy Metal (Sammy Hagar)
** Top 7: Songs from the 21st Century - Uprising (Muse)
** Top 6: Carole King - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (The Shirelles)
** Top 5: Songs from Then & Now: Closer to the Edge (30 Seconds to Mars) / Without You (Bandfinger)
** Top 4: Songs That Inspire / Leiber & Stoller Songbook: Don't Stop Believin' (Journey) / Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers)
In 2016 Durbin and Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot worked on an album project "Maps to the Hollywood Scars". Volume 1 was released as a 5-song EP in February 2017. In March 2017, Durbin joined Quiet Riot, as their new lead singer. The band reported that their upcoming album, 'Road Rage' would be re-recorded prior to its release to feature Durbin on lead vocals. After recording a follow-up album, Durbin quit the band in September 2019. The album, 'Hollywood Cowboys', was released on November 8, 2019. In October 2020, Durbin revealed he had signed with Frontiers Records and was working on a "pure heavy metal" album. The Beast Awakens was released on February 12, 2021 under the Durbin moniker. Alongside Durbin, who performs lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the album also features drummer Mike Vanderhule and bassist Barry Sparks. In 2022, Durbin has joined forces with STRYPER members Robert Sweet and Perry Richardson (bass; also ex-FIREHOUSE) and RIOT guitarist Mike Flyntz in a new project called CLEANBREAK.
Everything Burns
James Durbin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Singing herself to sleep
Wrapped in all of her promises
That no one seemed to keep
She no longer cries to herself
No tears left to wash away
Just diaries of empty pages
Feelings gone astray
'Til everything burns
While everyone screams
Burning their lies
Burning my dream
All of this hate
All of this pain
I'll burn it all down
As my anger rains
'Til everything burns
Walking through life unnoticed
Knowing that no one cares
Too consumed in their masquerade
No one see her there
And still she sings
'Til everything burns
While everyone screams
Burning their lies
Burning my dream
All of this hate
All of this pain
I'll burn it all down
As my anger rains
'Til everything burns
Everything burns
Everything burns
Everything burns
Watching it all fade away
Everything burns
Everything burns
While everyone screams
Burning their lies
Burning my dream
All of this hate
All of this pain
I'll burn it all down
As my anger rains
'Til everything burns
Everything burns
Everything burns
Watching it all fade away
Everything burns
Everything burns
Watching it all fade away
The lyrics to James Durbin's song "Everything Burns" paint a picture of a person who feels neglected and invisible to the world around them. The persona in the song is someone who has been hurt by broken promises and unfulfilled dreams, which left them feeling empty and desolate. The lines "Wrapped in all of her promises that no one seemed to keep" and "Just diaries of empty pages, feelings gone astray" illustrate the hopelessness and disappointment that the persona feels.
The chorus of the song is a powerful expression of the persona's anger and desire for revenge. They vow to "burn it all down" and to "sing 'til everything burns," which shows their willingness to destroy everything that has caused them pain until there is nothing left. The lines "Burning their lies, burning my dream, all of this hate, all of this pain" are a clear indication of the persona's rage and the desire to eliminate everything that has caused them suffering.
The second verse of the song further captures the loneliness and isolation that the persona is feeling. They are "walking through life unnoticed" and no one sees them or cares about them. The line "Too consumed in their masquerade, no one sees her there" emphasizes the idea that everyone is wearing a mask and pretending to be something they are not, which further isolates the persona.
Overall, "Everything Burns" is a song that explores the pain of broken promises, unfulfilled dreams, isolation, and the desire for revenge. The lyrics are powerful and emotional, and they capture the desperation and anger of the persona.
Line by Line Meaning
She sits in a corner
The singer is depicted as alone and in a bad place.
Singing herself to sleep
She seeks solace in her own company even when trying to sleep.
Wrapped in all of her promises
The singer is surrounded by broken promises made to her by others.
That no one seemed to keep
Her promises continue to be broken without reason.
She no longer cries to herself
The artist has reached a point of being completely desolate.
No tears left to wash away
The singer can no longer cry even if she wanted to.
Just diaries of empty pages
The singer is left with feelings that she cannot express or put into words.
Feelings gone astray
She is unable to make sense of her feelings which are all over the place.
But she will sing
Despite her sadness, the artist finds solace in singing.
'Til everything burns
The artist wants everything to fall apart and start again from scratch.
While everyone screams
The singer wants people to acknowledge and fully feel the impact of everyone's mistakes.
Burning their lies
She wants to burn down the lies and pretenses that everyone holds up.
Burning my dream
She wants to let go of all the dreams that were built on lies and deception.
All of this hate
The accumulated hurt and anger from being betrayed.
All of this pain
The pain caused by people not keeping their promises.
I'll burn it all down
The artist wants to start over.
As my anger rains
The artist is fueled by anger and just wants a release.
Walking through life unnoticed
The singer feels unseen by others.
Knowing that no one cares
The singer feels alone in a crowd.
Too consumed in their masquerade
People are too busy trying to keep up appearances to notice the artist.
No one see her there
The artist is left unacknowledged and ignored.
Everything burns
The artist wants a complete rebirth and let everything go.
Watching it all fade away
She wonders about the future as everything fades away and comes back down to ashes.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN MOODY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind