KillerStar isn’t any David Bowie cowl band. As a substitute, it’s an uncanny mission from U.Okay. guitarist Rob Fleming and drummer James Sedge, who introduced in musicians from a lot of Bowie’s bands to create an evocative self-titled debut.

Inside its glam-filled grooves, hear for the sound of guitarists Earl Slick and Mark Plati, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, and piano virtuoso Mike Garson, all alumni of the Skinny White Duke’s ensembles.

KillerStar craftily evokes Bowie, however has its personal sound.
It was by no means supposed to be a David Bowie homage, however after all when you could have many longtime collaborators and band members, they conjure reminiscences of his music.

We began writing and recording demos with no preconceived concept of the place it could lead. I requested my good friend, Emm Gryner, to sing backing vocals; she had been in Bowie’s band and instructed asking Gail Ann Dorsey to play bass. One factor led to a different, which led to Earl Slick agreeing to play second guitar. Identical for Mike Garson on piano and Donny McCasin, who performed sax on “Falling Via.”

The one “Ought to’ve Identified Higher” finds you soloing with melodic strains over Garson’s piano on the finish.
From the outset, I needed to go for melodic strains that added to the cinematic vibe of the outro, mixing into the monitor alongside Mike’s gorgeous piano. It was positively a kind of solos the place I actually felt it when recording. That lead is from the unique demo; I supposed to exchange it, nevertheless it felt so proper that I left it in.

What did Earl Slick convey to the celebration?
Earl despatched us tracks and we have been blown away by his contribution. He gave us stunning enjoying that completely match into the vibe of every track. Superb riff enjoying, but additionally delicate ambient components together with beautiful Ebow. Earl stated it was nice to work together with his previous bandmates once more and we have been overjoyed how every little thing gelled.

What’s your favourite guitar second of Earl’s on the album?
I really like the driving rhythm guitars from Earl and myself on “Really feel It.” They mix actually properly and have a lot energy. His Ebow on “Falling Via” is scrumptious, as are his tone and the riffs on “Go (Maintain On Tight).” For my guitar moments, I’d most likely choose the outro lead on “Ought to’ve Identified Higher.”

In “Go (Maintain On Tight),” there are advanced layers of guitars. What was Mark Plati’s contribution?
Mark added lead strains the place you’ll be able to hear the components double-up and harmonized. Earl additionally offered a number of tracks of guitar on that monitor and is enjoying a lot of the essential riffs and lead licks, whereas I’m enjoying rhythm. We now have an alternate model of that track the place Mark added extra guitar and keyboards. He did a superb remix and we plan to launch it.

“Falling Via” is expansive FM rock, bearing on Pink Floyd.
It’s fairly an journey – a track of two halves, actually. The primary half recollects Pink Floyd in that it begins as a cinematic ballad with a couple of twists. Then it takes off into one thing totally different through some unbelievable saxophone by Donny McCaslin and likewise polyrthymic drumming from James. Lyrically, it’s evoking a second in time and a particular place of stillness.

Which guitars, amps, and pedals did you employ on the album?
For a lot of songs I laid down a primary rhythm monitor utilizing an early-’60s Gibson LG-1. On most songs, it’s blended very subtly and creates a mattress for the electrics.

For electrical, I used my Fender Customized Store Tele, particularly for the leads. There’s additionally a ’68 ES-345 I purchased off Johnny Marr some time in the past. It’s an unbelievable guitar with quite a lot of mojo. I additionally used a ’62 ES-330, which has been certainly one of my essential guitars for years.

My amps have been a Fender Vibroverb ’63 reissue and Princeton Reverb, and pedals included an Xotic EP Booster, unique Klon Centaur, and an MXR phaser.

What’s behind Bowie’s everlasting attraction?
Perhaps it’s his musical and creative journey from the ’60s via 2015. David had an unparalleled profession that encompassed so many types of music. It have to be such an thrilling journey for younger musicians and followers to discover, simply because it was for many people rising up and witnessing it firsthand.

Additionally, instrumentalists are impressed by – and study from – the musicians who labored with him. David had a knack for placing collectively the suitable folks on the proper time. We really feel extremely privileged to have labored on the KillerStar mission with so a lot of them.

Rob Fleming together with his Customized Store Tele, surrounded by his ’68 ES-345, ’63 LG-1, and ’62 ES-330. Behind him is a mint-green customized axe that was performed by Earl Slick at a 2016 Bowie tribute live performance.

This text initially appeared in VG’s March 2024 situation. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.