The Dead Stars On Hollywood
Encyclopedia
The Dead Stars on Hollywood are an American
rock band based in New York City
, that incorporates elements of glam, new wave and goth into their alternative rock sound. The group's name was inspired by the "cinematic" imagery of the glory days of old Hollywood.
The band's sound has been compared to and influenced by T-Rex, Love & Rockets and includes lyrical references to Sigue Sigue Sputnik
.
as they recorded their demo recordings as early as 1998 under the band name Strongbox. The band was known to rehearse and perform in the popular local classic arcade Ground Kontrol
. In 1998, founding member Kneel Cohn
became known as a producer for his remixing and production work on the song "Falling Up" by the band Collide which appeared on their remix album Distort
released on Cargo Records.
British producer Fran Ashcroft known for his work with Damon Albarn
of the UK band Blur
and Lords Of Acid recorded and produced two singles which appear on the Anthems For The Friendly-Fire Generation EP
released on the Apocalypstick UK label.
The band achieved attention as a supporting act for bands Placebo
, GWAR
and Idlewild
. The song "Flaunt It Like This" was being heard on college radio and as a result the song "Prozac Smile" appeared in the motion picture "Blast" released in 2000 starring Liesel Matthews
, Adam LaVorgna
and PJ Soles.
The group was known for its affiliation with the local Portland music scene which at the time included bands such as The Dandy Warhols
, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Sleater Kinney, Everclear
, and Elliott Smith
. Guitarist Peter Holmstrom of The Dandy Warhols played guitar on the song "Planet Girl".
Following the release of Anthems For The Friendly-Fire Generation in 2003, the band relocated to New York City. Over the next three years the band line-up went through several changes as they began to re-establish themselves in their new surroundings and further define their sound performing in NYC live music mainstays Knitting Factory
, Mo Pitkin's and Luna Lounge
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, that incorporates elements of glam, new wave and goth into their alternative rock sound. The group's name was inspired by the "cinematic" imagery of the glory days of old Hollywood.
The band's sound has been compared to and influenced by T-Rex, Love & Rockets and includes lyrical references to Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik
Sigue Sigue Sputnik were a British new wave band created in 1982 by the former Generation X bassist Tony James. The band had three UK Top 40 hit singles, including the song "Love Missile F1-11".-Early years:...
.
Biography
The Dead Stars on Hollywood performed live shows in bars and clubs throughout Portland, OregonPortland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
as they recorded their demo recordings as early as 1998 under the band name Strongbox. The band was known to rehearse and perform in the popular local classic arcade Ground Kontrol
Ground Kontrol
Ground Kontrol is a bar and video arcade in Portland, Oregon, United States. Recognized as one of the best arcades in the US, it is known for preserving games from the Golden Age of Video Arcade Games. It also serves as a venue for DJs, live bands and Rock Band events. Also of note is its...
. In 1998, founding member Kneel Cohn
Kneel Cohn
Kneel Cohn in The Bronx, New York is the primary songwriter, lead singer and guitarist for The Dead Stars On Hollywood, known for the songs "Prozac Smile" and "Flaunt it Like This"...
became known as a producer for his remixing and production work on the song "Falling Up" by the band Collide which appeared on their remix album Distort
Distort (album)
Distort was the second release and first remix album by Darkwave duo Collide which has been out of print for some time. However recently the album has been brought back in stock with a few more tracks and has undergone some more studio remixing and remastering for the 2006 release.-Track...
released on Cargo Records.
British producer Fran Ashcroft known for his work with Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
of the UK band Blur
Blur (band)
Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...
and Lords Of Acid recorded and produced two singles which appear on the Anthems For The Friendly-Fire Generation EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
released on the Apocalypstick UK label.
The band achieved attention as a supporting act for bands Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
, GWAR
GWAR
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
and Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
. The song "Flaunt It Like This" was being heard on college radio and as a result the song "Prozac Smile" appeared in the motion picture "Blast" released in 2000 starring Liesel Matthews
Liesel Matthews
Liesel Anne Pritzker , stage name Liesel Matthews, is an American former child actress and heiress to the Hyatt Hotels fortune...
, Adam LaVorgna
Adam LaVorgna
-Early life:LaVorgna was born near New Haven in North Branford, Connecticut. Raised with his three siblings in North Branford, LaVorgna has been appearing on television and film since the early age of three when he first appeared on the daytime series As the World Turns.Other television work...
and PJ Soles.
The group was known for its affiliation with the local Portland music scene which at the time included bands such as The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols
The Dandy Warhols are an American alternative rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994. The band was founded by singer-guitarist Courtney Taylor-Taylor and guitarist Peter Holmström, with keyboardist Zia McCabe and drummer Eric Hedford later joining. Hedford left in 1998 and was replaced by...
, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Sleater Kinney, Everclear
Everclear (band)
Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
, and Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
. Guitarist Peter Holmstrom of The Dandy Warhols played guitar on the song "Planet Girl".
Following the release of Anthems For The Friendly-Fire Generation in 2003, the band relocated to New York City. Over the next three years the band line-up went through several changes as they began to re-establish themselves in their new surroundings and further define their sound performing in NYC live music mainstays Knitting Factory
Knitting Factory
The Knitting Factory is a music venue and concert house with locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane. The club originally specialized in jazz and experimental music and has expanded to showcasing all genres of music, performing arts and comedy....
, Mo Pitkin's and Luna Lounge
Luna Lounge
Luna Lounge was a bar at 171 Ludlow Street, on the west side of Ludlow Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side. It opened in 1995, and was a popular venue for local bands and stand-up comics...
.
Albums
- The Strongbox Sessions (2000)
- Anthems for the Friendly-Fire Generation (2003)
- Bruises EP (2005)
- Red Plastik Crush EP (2007)
- The Seventh Floor Sessions (2009)
Singles
- "Flaunt It Like This" (2000)
- "Prozac Smile" (2000)
- "Bang Bang Love" (2003)
- "Planet Girl" (2003)
- "Dive" (2005)
- "Bruises" (2005)
- "Red Plastik Crush" (2007)
- "Flaunted Like That V2.0" (2009)
- "Sexy TV Trash" (2009)