After their self-titled debut album emerged to a flood of critical acclaim, with many hailing its stellar merger of art rock invention and timeless classic rock musicianship, KillerStar now go further into the project with today’s release the new ‘KillerStar Reimagined’ reworks album. Listen HERE.
The original ‘KillerStar’ album was boosted by the irresistible presence of an array of David Bowie’s most trusted collaborators: Mike Garson on piano, Earl Slick and Mark Plati on guitar, Gail Ann Dorsey and Tim Lefebvre on bass,Emm Gryner on backing vocals, and Donny McCaslin on saxophone. This new set features an array of new versions, primarily produced by Mark Plati, plus a remix of ‘Should’ve Known Better’ by The Anchoress, the acclaimed solo artist who is also a regular collaborator with Manic Street Preachers.
Rob Fleming says, “There was so much music recorded for the KillerStar album we felt there were some alternate approaches to versions of the songs that would be exciting to hear. With that in mind, we set about working with Mark Plati to reimagine some of the songs. This meant in some cases adding some additional instrumentation, in others it meant remixing the tracks with new approaches in mind, sometimes bringing to the fore instrumental parts that were already recorded. Many of the songs sound radically different from the original KillerStar album.”
James Sadge adds, “We were excited to work with such a renowned producer as Mark who is already part of the KillerStar family, playing bass at our live shows. You can hear why Mark Plati was a producer of choice for bands such as The Cure and of course David Bowie. We also asked Catherine Anne Davies (also known as The Anchoress) to do a remix which is a really radical revamp of one of our songs (‘Should’ve Known Better’). We are really pleased with how the album turned out and we think ‘Reimagined’ will be exciting for existing KillerStar fans to hear and also for people new to our music.”
The new alternative acoustic version of ‘Falling Through’ showcases the album’s powers of reinvention. Originally the album’s powerful finale, this new take strips back the song’s thunderous edge to reveal a dreamy, ethereal quality which pushes Donny McCaslin’s saxophone to the fore and exposes the song’s inner melancholy. It is accompanied by a video which was filmed and directed by Laura Lynn Petrick (Mac DeMarco, Weyes Blood).
In addition to the digital release of ‘KillerStar Reimagined’, a limited edition vinyl pressing is also available HERE.
Having sold-out their album launch show at London’s 100 Club earlier this year, KillerStar are set to play their debut New York show at The Cutting Room on November 2nd. Tickets are available HERE. Rob Fleming and James Sadge will be accompanied by Bowie band alumni Mike Garson, Mark Plati, and Gerry Leonard, plus Dom Beken (Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets) and the Grammy Award winning saxophonist Andy Snitzer, as well as Ulrika Bergelind and Nicki Richards on backing vocals. KillerStar will subsequently return to the 100 Club on March 8th and tickets are available HERE.
‘KillerStar Reimagined’ tracklist:
1. ‘ Go (Hold On Tight)’ (Alternative Version)
2. ‘Falling Through’ (Alternative Version)
3. ‘Too Late’ (Alternative Version)
4. ‘Should’ve Known Better’ (The Anchoress Remix)
5. ‘Everybody Loves A Hero’ (Alternative Version)
6. ‘Falling Through’ (Acoustic Version)
7. ‘Everybody Loves A Hero’ (Ambient Version)
