The Flaming Stars
Encyclopedia
The Flaming Stars are an English underground garage punk
band. The Flaming Stars can be compared to artists such as the Tindersticks
and The Bad Seeds.
drummer Max Décharné
, guitarists Huck Whitney
and Mark Hosking, bassists Paul Dempsey
, and Joe Whitney on the drums. The band was signed to the London-based, but Japanese owned, Vinyl Japan UK Ltd. The band first gained attention in Europe when they released their EP "Hospital, Heaven or Hell" which received praise from well-known English radio personalities John Peel
and Steve Lamacq
, respectively. Because of this, they recorded six John Peel Sessions which were released throughout the 90s and eventually released together in 2000 on a double album
, The Six John Peel Sessions
.
In 1996, the Stars released their first album, Songs From the Bar Room Floor
, which was followed by Sell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars
in 1997. In 2001, The Flaming Stars released A Walk on the Wired Side
, a slight departure from their previous works. The album took less from 1960s style garage rock and instead focused more on creating their own unique sound. The Stars gained a minor hit in the UK from their album A Walk on the Wired Side with the song, "Some Things You Don't Forget". The band received considerable attention in the UK's underground scene while remaining fairly unknown in the United States. The Flaming Stars released their fifth studio album, Sunset & Void
, in 2002.
Two years later in 2004, the Flaming Stars released Named and Shamed
, their 10th anniversary album. In early 2006, Vinyl Japan went into receivership and the Stars were signed to Big Beat Records
, which is owned by Ace Records
. On 16 March they released their first effort on Big Beat, a 42 track compilation album
London After Midnight: Singles, Rarities and Bar Room Floor-Fillers 1995-2005. In September 2006, they released their seventh studio album, Born Under A Bad Neon Sign
.
Garage punk
Garage punk is a fusion of garage rock and punk rock. It is fast-paced lo-fi music characterized by a dirty, choppy guitar sound—usually played by bands who are on independent record labels or who are unsigned...
band. The Flaming Stars can be compared to artists such as the Tindersticks
Tindersticks
Tindersticks are an Indie rock band from Nottingham, England formed in 1991. They released six albums before singer Stuart A. Staples took on a solo career. The band reunited briefly in 2006, but more permanently the following year...
and The Bad Seeds.
History
The band was formed in 1994 by lead singer and Ex-Gallon DrunkGallon Drunk
Gallon Drunk are an English band formed in London in 1988. Their swamp rock sound contains a variety of influences, from punk to jazz and the novels of Derek Raymond , and is noted for its dark subject matter.-Biography:...
drummer Max Décharné
Max Décharné
Max Décharné is a rock'n'roll musician, author and journalist, probably best known for his being the drummer for Gallon Drunk and fronting his own band The Flaming Stars.-Music and writing:...
, guitarists Huck Whitney
Huck Whitney
Huck Whitney, composer/film theme writer, was born in Birmingham, England in 1966 and was formerly known as Ian Whitney. Having played bass and guitar for many years with local bands such as the Street People, Whitney first came to national attention as the bass player with Birmingham indie band...
and Mark Hosking, bassists Paul Dempsey
Paul Dempsey
Paul Dempsey is the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of Australian rock group Something for Kate. Paul was a founding member of the band, and in August 2009 released his first solo album, Everything Is True whilst continuing his work with Something for Kate...
, and Joe Whitney on the drums. The band was signed to the London-based, but Japanese owned, Vinyl Japan UK Ltd. The band first gained attention in Europe when they released their EP "Hospital, Heaven or Hell" which received praise from well-known English radio personalities John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
and Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
, respectively. Because of this, they recorded six John Peel Sessions which were released throughout the 90s and eventually released together in 2000 on a double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
, The Six John Peel Sessions
The Six John Peel Sessions
The Six John Peel Sessions is a 2-CD compilation album by The Flaming Stars. They went on to do a 7th Session after this was released. John Peel himself provided some sleeve notes. The album is dedicated to Ian Dury, who had recently died...
.
In 1996, the Stars released their first album, Songs From the Bar Room Floor
Songs From the Bar Room Floor
Songs from the Bar Room Floor is the first album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded entirely using valve equipment at Toe Rag Studios in London during January and February 1996. Produced by Liam Watson and The Flaming Stars. Mastered at Porky's by Mr George Peckham...
, which was followed by Sell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars
Sell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars
Sell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars is the second studio album by The Flaming Stars. The album was recorded in nine days and was released in October 1997 via Vinyl Japan.-Track listing:#"Sweet Smell of Success" – 2:25#"Blood Money" – 3:10...
in 1997. In 2001, The Flaming Stars released A Walk on the Wired Side
A Walk on the Wired Side
A Walk on the Wired Side is the fourth studio album by The Flaming Stars. This album is different from the previous albums because more members of the band, besides Max , had contributed more towards song writing...
, a slight departure from their previous works. The album took less from 1960s style garage rock and instead focused more on creating their own unique sound. The Stars gained a minor hit in the UK from their album A Walk on the Wired Side with the song, "Some Things You Don't Forget". The band received considerable attention in the UK's underground scene while remaining fairly unknown in the United States. The Flaming Stars released their fifth studio album, Sunset & Void
Sunset & Void
Sunset & Void is the fifth studio album by the garage punk band The Flaming Stars. This album is known for its noir- like, brooding feel. The album is pushed further by the smooth piano playing by The Flaming Stars' lead singer, Max Décharné...
, in 2002.
Two years later in 2004, the Flaming Stars released Named and Shamed
Named and Shamed
Named and Shamed is the sixth studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Toe Rag Studios.-Track listings:#"She's Gone - 2:40#"Where the Beautiful People Go - 2:03#"The Marabou Shuffle - 3:27#"Spilled Your Pint - 3:24...
, their 10th anniversary album. In early 2006, Vinyl Japan went into receivership and the Stars were signed to Big Beat Records
Big Beat Records (Ace subsidiary)
Big Beat Records is a British record label and import distributor owned by Ace Records, specialising in garage rock.-Roster:Releases include:*Big Star*Dean Carter*The Chocolate Watchband*Count Five*The Cramps*The Flaming Stars*Frumious Bandersnatch...
, which is owned by Ace Records
Ace Records (UK)
Ace Records Ltd. was started in 1978. Initially the company only gained permission from the label based in Mississippi to use the name in the UK, but eventually also acquired the rights to publish their recordings. When Chiswick's pop side was licensed to EMI in 1984, Ace switched to more licensing...
. On 16 March they released their first effort on Big Beat, a 42 track compilation album
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
London After Midnight: Singles, Rarities and Bar Room Floor-Fillers 1995-2005. In September 2006, they released their seventh studio album, Born Under A Bad Neon Sign
Born Under A Bad Neon Sign
Born Under a Bad Neon Sign is the seventh studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Gizzard Studios in London. The record is dedicated to the then recently-departed and long time friend of Max's, Nikki Sudden...
.
Studio albums
- Songs From the Bar Room FloorSongs From the Bar Room FloorSongs from the Bar Room Floor is the first album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded entirely using valve equipment at Toe Rag Studios in London during January and February 1996. Produced by Liam Watson and The Flaming Stars. Mastered at Porky's by Mr George Peckham...
(Vinyl Japan 1996) - Sell Your Soul to the Flaming StarsSell Your Soul to the Flaming StarsSell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars is the second studio album by The Flaming Stars. The album was recorded in nine days and was released in October 1997 via Vinyl Japan.-Track listing:#"Sweet Smell of Success" – 2:25#"Blood Money" – 3:10...
(Vinyl Japan 1997) - PathwayPathway (album)Pathway is the third studio album by The Flaming Stars. As the title suggests, this was recorded at Pathway Studios, in common with some of the early Stiff Records recordings.- Track listing :#"Breaking Down - 2:12#"Only Tonight - 2:26...
(Vinyl Japan 1999) - A Walk on the Wired SideA Walk on the Wired SideA Walk on the Wired Side is the fourth studio album by The Flaming Stars. This album is different from the previous albums because more members of the band, besides Max , had contributed more towards song writing...
(Vinyl Japan 2001) - Sunset & VoidSunset & VoidSunset & Void is the fifth studio album by the garage punk band The Flaming Stars. This album is known for its noir- like, brooding feel. The album is pushed further by the smooth piano playing by The Flaming Stars' lead singer, Max Décharné...
(Vinyl Japan 2002) - Named and ShamedNamed and ShamedNamed and Shamed is the sixth studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Toe Rag Studios.-Track listings:#"She's Gone - 2:40#"Where the Beautiful People Go - 2:03#"The Marabou Shuffle - 3:27#"Spilled Your Pint - 3:24...
(Vinyl Japan 2004) - Born Under A Bad Neon SignBorn Under A Bad Neon SignBorn Under a Bad Neon Sign is the seventh studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Gizzard Studios in London. The record is dedicated to the then recently-departed and long time friend of Max's, Nikki Sudden...
(Big Beat, 2006)
Singles/ EPs
- "Hospital, Heaven or Hell" (tracks "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" / "Davy Jones' Locker" / "Like Trash" / "Revenge" - Vinyl Japan, March 1995)
- "The Face On The Bar Room Floor" / "Get Carter" (Vinyl Japan, August 1995)
- "Money To Burn" / "Bandit Country" / "A Hell of a Woman" / "New Shade of Black" (Vinyl Japan, December 1995)
- "Downhill Without Brakes" / "Broken Heart" / "Eat Your Heart Out" / "Burnt Out Wreck of a Man" (Vinyl Japan, May 1996)
- "Ten Feet Tall" / "Spaghetti Junction" (Vinyl Japan, December 1996)
- "Bury My Heart At Pier 13" / "Down to You" (live in London) (Vinyl Japan, March 1997)
- "New Hope For The Dead" / "Are You Being Served" (Vinyl Japan, October 1997)
- "Sweet Smell Of Success" / "The Day The Earth Caught Fire" / "Never Missed You Tonight" / "A Place in the Sun" (Vinyl Japan, April 1998)
- "Only Tonight" (Vinyl Japan, November 1999)
- "You Don't Always Want What You Get" / "Saturday Night Special" (Vinyl Japan, January 2001)
- "One Lonely Night" / "Days Like This" (Alternative Tentacles, September 2001)
- "A Little Bit Like You" / "The Man Who Would be B.B. King" (Vinyl Japan, September 2002)
- "Spilled Your Pint" / "Sixty Nine" (Vinyl Japan, Bang! Records, 2004)
- "Stranger On the Fifth Floor" / "New Hope for the Dead" (live in Germany) (Vinyl Japan 2005)
Other albums
- Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo GarciaBring Me the Rest of Alfredo GarciaBring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia - Singles 1995-1996 was the first compilation album by The Flaming Stars.- Track listing :#"Bring Me The Rest of Alfredo Garcia" - Volume 15 version 1995#"Money to Burn" - EP version 1995...
(Singles 1995-1996) (Vinyl Japan, March 1997) - The Six John Peel SessionsThe Six John Peel SessionsThe Six John Peel Sessions is a 2-CD compilation album by The Flaming Stars. They went on to do a 7th Session after this was released. John Peel himself provided some sleeve notes. The album is dedicated to Ian Dury, who had recently died...
(Vinyl Japan, 2000) - Tijuana BibleTijuana Bible (album)- Track listing :#"Only Tonight"#"The Street that Never Closes"#"Bring Me The Rest of Alfredo Garcia"#"Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"#"Blood Money"#"New Hope for the Dead"#"Bury My Heart at Pier 13"#"Like Trash"#"Maybe One Day"#"Ten Feet Tall"#"Breaking Down"...
, (Nippon Columbia, July 2000) (Japanese release only) - Ginmill PerfumeGinmill PerfumeGinmill Perfume was a US/Canada-only compilation album by The Flaming Stars, featuring tracks drawn from the first four Vinyl Japan albums and singles prior to 2001.- Track listing :#"Like Trash - 3:29#"Ten Feet Tall - 4:23#"Who's Out There? - 3:45...
, (Alternative Tentacles, October 2001) (North American release only) - London After Midnight: Singles, Rarities and Bar Room Floor-Fillers 1995-2005 (Big Beat Records, 2006)
Tracks on other compilations
- The Face on the Bar Room Floor appeared on "Various Artists do the Nuclear Tests in Paris and Beijing" (Vinyl Japan, 1995) NB The Earls of Suave track "A Cheat" also appears on the same CD. The Earls featured most of The Flaming Stars members.
- Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia appears on the 'CD magazine' "Volume 15" (Volume, 1995)
- Back of My Mind appeared on "Cowpunks" (Vinyl Junkie, 1996)
- Like Trash appeared on "What Did You Come Down Here For? Music from Club Zitt" (Genki, 1996)
- A Hell of a Woman appeared on "Plan Boom" (What's That Noise, 1998)
- "Spilled Your Pint" appeared on "Sci-Fi Lo-Fi Vol.1: Mixed By Andrew Weatherall" (Soma, 2007)