The Flaming Stars

A raucous quintet formed in Camden, north London, England, in November 1994, the Flaming Stars took their name from an Elvis Presley movie. Initial media comparisons placed them within the doomed romantic tradition of Gallon Drunk or the Tindersticks - unsurprising, given vocalist/keyboard player Max Decharne’s previous employment as Gallon Drunk’s drummer. He had also been a member of the Earls Of Suave, from whom Paul Dempsey (bass), Johnny Johnson (guitar/harmonica) and Joe Whitney (drums) were also drawn. Johnson and Dempsey had previously also played with Thee Headcoats and the Stingrays. Mark Hosking was then drafted in to provide additional guitar as the Flaming Stars took shape in order to fulfil a support slot at short notice. They made their debut on London-based Vinyl Japan with the typically moribund Hospital, Heaven Or Hell EP in March 1995, a record distinguished by the presence of the impressive ‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye’ - which Decharne had earlier contributed as a solo composition to a Death Cigarettes compilation. The alcohol tribute ‘The Face On The Bar Room Floor’ was followed by another EP, Money To Burn. They also recorded a succession of sessions for John Peel, Mark Radcliffe and Mark Lamarr. The alcohol theme was continued on the band’s 1996 debut album, succinctly titled Songs From The Bar Room Floor. Huck Whitney was then brought in to replace Johnny Johnson, adding extra fuel to the band’s chaotic live performances. Their prolific single releases were collected on Bring Me The Rest Of Alfredo Garcia. ‘New Hope For The Dead’, released in October 1997, premiered the garage band classic, Sell Your Soul To The Flaming Stars. Extensive worldwide touring followed before the band set about recording their new album, Pathway. Prolific and hard to categorise, they are masterful atmospheric doom merchants.