Birth name James David Ward Spouse Kristine Ward (m. 2001) Role Musician | Name Jim Ward Years active 1993–present | |
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Born September 19, 1976 (age 48) ( 1976-09-19 ) Occupation(s) Musician, singer-songwriter Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboards Albums The End Begins, Relationship of Command, In/Casino/Out, This Station Is Non‑Operational, Acrobatic Tenement |
James David Ward (born September 19, 1976) is an American musician. A self-taught guitarist and pianist, he is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the band Sparta; he is also a co-founder of the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, which he formed in 1993 when he was 17 years old.
Contents
- Jim ward guitarist of at the drive in sparta
- At the Drive In
- Sparta
- Personal life
- With At the Drive In
- With Sparta
- With Bobby Byrd
- Solo
- With Sleepercar
- Effects
- Side projects
- References

Jim ward guitarist of at the drive in sparta
At the Drive-In

While in At the Drive-In, Ward played guitar and sang backup vocals, as well as playing piano and keyboards on select songs. He performed lead vocals on two tracks, entitled "Hourglass" and "Ursa Minor", as well as singing co-lead with lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala on a number of tracks. Using the money from his college savings, he created the label "Western Breed Records" specifically to release Hell Paso and Alfaro Vive, Carajo!, At the Drive-in's first two releases. After the demise of At the Drive-In, Ward has stated that he is happy with the break-up, that he started the band when he was 17, and felt like he was always 17 while in the band. On January 9, 2012, it was announced that At the Drive-In were reforming.

On March 18th 2016, days before the 2016 reunion tour would start, ATDI announced that Ward would no longer be part of the group, simply stating on their Facebook page that "As our ship prepares for voyage, we announce that Jim Ward will not be joining us on future journeys. We wish him well and are excited to see you soon."
Sparta

Following the split of At the Drive-In, Ward joined with Tony Hajjar and Paul Hinojos as the lead vocalist and guitar player for a new musical project; Matt Miller was later recruited to play the bass guitar. The band, Sparta, wrote nearly nine songs in their first week of rehearsal, with all members incorporating ideas and lyrics. Ward cites Radiohead and Billy Joel as influences for his song-writing during this period, which led to Ward incorporating more piano in Sparta (despite his informal knowledge of the instrument).

Sparta eventually signed a record contract with the Geffen media company and released its debut album, Wiretap Scars, in 2002.
Personal life
Ward was born in El Paso, Texas. He is a 1994 graduate of El Paso High School
With At the Drive-In
With Sparta
With Bobby Byrd
Solo
With Sleepercar
With At the Drive-In
Whilst a member of At the Drive-In, Ward used different guitars and amps, as well as several keyboards. The following is a list of some of the equipment Ward performed with during this era:
Guitars
Amplifiers
With Sparta
Ward uses several different guitars and amplifiers while performing with Sparta. Since the equipment Ward uses changes from tour to tour, the following is a list of some of the equipment he has been seen using.
Guitars
Amplifiers
Effects
Side projects
He has an alternative country sideproject called Sleepercar, where he also plays guitar and sings lead vocals.
Ward also wrote for the El Paso weekly alternative magazine What's Up, in a column entitled "From the End of this Pen".
Ward now co-owns a café, Eloise, and a bar/music venue, Bowie Feathers & Tricky Falls.
In the fall of 2009, Ward was a performer on Chuck Ragan's Revival Tour, alongside Ragan, Tim Barry, Jenny Owen Youngs, Kevin Seconds, Audra Mae, Frank Turner and others.
Ward's main outlet for news is his co-owned, newly improved website, Tembloroso. The website was redesigned, and reopened on February 14, 2011. It also features his new blog.