The Flaming Stars

The garage band the Flaming Stars came together in 1994 under the guidance of ex-Gallon Drunk drummer Max Decharne (vocals/keyboards). Joining him are Paul Dempsey (bass), Joe Whitney (drums), Mark Hosking (guitar), and Huck Whitney (guitar). The Flaming Stars, who spark a haunting swagger similar to Nick Cave and the Tindersticks, spent the next year wowing European audiences while honing a dark, guitar-driven sound. In March 1995, the Flaming Stars issued their debut EP, Hospital, Heaven or Hell. U.K. radio personalities John Peel and Steve Lamacq were instant fans of the first single, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," and praised the song on their respective radio shows. Several John Peel session releases would be issued throughout the remainder of the '90s. In spring 1997, the Flaming Stars recorded and released Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia while Sell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars appeared three months later. Tours of the U.K. were massively successful, gaining the Flaming Stars momentous airplay in England. They weren't exactly superstars, but fans quickly absorbed the band's sinister rock appeal. The band issued the dramatic, epic A Walk on the Wired Side in winter 2001. It was an angry, cynical record, but equally passionate and sultry. "Some Things You Don't Forget" was a moderate hit in Europe, but the Flaming Stars remained practically unknown in America. Still, the band trudged on; they inked a deal with Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles label, giving the Flaming Stars an outlet to introduce themselves to America. The theatrical performance of Ginmill Perfume appeared in October 200, tantalizing tales of exotic travels were found on the Sunset & Void album in fall 2002, and the down-and-dirty saga of Named and Shamed arrived in 2004. Soon after, the group's longtime label in the U.K., Vinyl Japan, folded and they moved over to the Big Beat label, which wasted no time in releasing the excellent career retrospective London After Midnight: Singles, Rarities and Bar Room Floor-Fillers 1995-2005. The band's eighth studio album, Born Under a Bad Neon Sign, followed in fall 2006.