The Black Stars

LABEL: SUGARRUSH Records

Faced with the big 'where to from here??' Byron Bay three piece The Black Stars had to pull on all resources to get back into the studio after the dust had settled on their 2006 debut release. The second offering, titled Money Or Your Life is an exciting and powerful serve of contemporary Australian punk rock and a tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of the artist hell bent on staying creative. From the tormented chants and cluttered city soundscape of the intro Farfisa, through the singles Alright Baby and Get Up, Money Or Your Life is the sound of a band determined to be heard.

Produced by Phil McKellar (Silverchair, Grinspoon, Spiderbait), The Black Stars debut self-titled EP received great attention from listeners and industry alike, ranging from strong reviews in national street press and music magazines to national airplay from Triple J, 4ZZZ, 3RRR, FBi and all alternative stations across Australia. This exposure helped the band kick it up a gear and consolidate an already strong live reputation by gigging the release solidly for the 12 months following.

But when faced with putting out their second EP, the Stars had to deal with the dilemma many independent artists face today – how to keep independently releasing quality material, with associated production costs, whilst remaining afloat in an age of burning and downloading? The band decided that if it was going to retain the same quality of production, it would have to invest in the construction of its own studio. Knowing this wouldn't happen overnight, the Stars decided to get the ball rolling on the new release in Sydney with Phil McKellar once again, while at the same time commencing the building of their studio in the unlikely surrounds of the lush North coast of NSW.

12 months later the trio emerged with a new EP, a new studio and a new lease on their musical longevity. The second EP with a working title Tales From The Killing Floor (a harsh reference to the frustration of trying to stay alive as a struggling artist) consisted of 5 tracks recorded in Sydney with Phil McKellar, along with contributions recorded in Brisbane with producer Bryce Moorehead (Sekiden, Iron On) and tracks recorded by the band in their own new studio. The studio served its purpose well allowing the band to experiment with sounds and lay down tracks in their own time. However, come time for the final mix, the band headed back to Sydney to work with McKellar again in a high end studio.

The final touches were added in the mastering suite by Australian legend Don Bartley and the EP was re-titled Money Or Your Life, a somewhat more positive take on the artists' condition. The 5 track release showcases The Black Stars sound and identity, which could be attributed to the band becoming more comfortable and confident with its own unique and powerful sound, while growing into a solid and cohesive live unit.

Along with MGM/GREEN Media, who provided distribution for their debut, Money Or Your Life has also been picked up by developing Brisbane label SUGARRUSH to be released along with a music video for Alright Baby in May 2008.

Late in 2007, whilst securing the release, the band was also invited to play two legs of the emerging underground national rock festival Devil's Kitchen, along with Nunchukka Superfly, Grand Fatal and Mary Trembles. To celebrate the May release, the band is hitting the road in April and May 2008 touring the new release along the East Coast of Australia, which includes a show supporting iconic US outfit HELMET.

http://www.myspace.com/theblackstars