Brian James is an influential English guitarist, best known as the founding member of punk rock bands The Damned and The Lords of the New Church. His aggressive guitar playing and raw energy contributed significantly to the punk movement in the mid to late 1970s. James' musical style is characterized by its simplicity, speed, and power, principles that underpin much of punk's aesthetic. His notable works include the Damned's debut single "New Rose," widely regarded as the first single of British punk rock.