Its always a different experience going to a show, never hearing the band headlining beforehand. I'm not talking about small shows with a new band, but going in blind to a show with a band that has been around for years while attracting a hugely loyal following in the process. People all have their favorite bands that cause them to nearly wet themselves with excitement when they find out they are passing through town. I had heard the same fervent buzz about the Frames and the Jayhawks when I finally went to their shows for the first time and was never disappointed, getting some great music out of the deal. The same could be said about my first time with the Stars.
Formed in 2001 out of Montreal, the band infuses a huge mix of sounds - closing my eyes for a second, I could swear I heard a bit of Tim Booth of James in the voice of Torquill Campbell. Amy Millan joined the band later, sharing singing duties with Stars while still recording for Broken Social Scene. Within seconds of the two joining in song, I was hooked and wondered how the hell it took me so long before giving Stars a good long listen.
The thing about going to see a "new" band is the newness of the songs gives you a good chance to sit back and absorb the music, the lyrics, and most importantly, the fans. I've never regret going to hear a new band, as the fun comes in seeing their loyal fans jumping up and down in excitement in hearing a favorite song, laughing with their friends while yelling out a lyric, or just swaying to the music as if hypnotized. I tell you, I can't think of anything more attractive then seeing a girl with her eyes closed, hips swaying with a smile on her lips, singing along to the music. I fell in love fifty times last night.
The Stars were touring in support of their new, self released CD "Sad Robots", with opener Think About Life (also from Montreal, where "the girls are so beautiful, the boys start bands just to try and get laid"). If you can't get a friend to burn you a couple copies (thanks Mollie!), try picking up Star's LP, "Set Yourself On Fire".
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