1.Growing Up
Malcolm: I did not grow up in a musical household at all. I was the black sheep, so to speak, hungrily saving up to buy singles and LPs, and I started to learn guitar at about 15. My younger brother then tried saxophone but gave it up. In time he became a fine sound engineer, mixing Stars live for its initial four years on the road.
Mick: I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. My key childhood music memory would be listening to the kitchen radio, which was always on and playing the hits of the day. My parents were both music lovers: my father played guitar and my mother would sing at any given occasion. I really think all of the above affected my music tastes today.
2.Inspirations
Mick: My favourite band of all time is English band Free. They have everything you could want from a group of rock musicians; they have great songs and musicianship and a style ranging from rock, blues, soul and even a little country, I was struck by them when I first heard ‘All Right Now’ back in 1970. I also love Little Feat, The Band, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, of course.
3.Your Band
Malcolm: The lineup on our first album, recorded in 1976, was Mick Pealing, myself, drummer Glyn Dowding and bass player Roger McLachlan. Our rhythm guitarist and main songwriter Andy Durant tragically died of cancer at 25 years of age. His guitar style is admirably covered now by Nick Charles.
4.The Music You Make
Mick: The music of Stars is mainly written by Andy Durant and Mal Eastick: it’s rock and country with a hard edge and a touch of soul. We have record two studio albums, Paradise and Land Of Fortune.
5.Music, Right Here, Right Now
Malcolm: The challenges musicians face are numerous, and include income that does not increase in parallel with gig costs or the general cost of living and minimal opportunities to play to large audiences, particularly not being offered as the support act for internationals.
Mick: I host a couple of community radio shows out of Melbourne and am still constantly knocked out by new releases. As long as that keeps happening I have to say it’s as healthy as it has ever been. The only downside is the lack of live venues for new bands. but the stage these days seems to be the internet.
Stars play theWindsor Function Centre on Saturday October 29, as part of Sydney Blues And Roots Festival, running Thursday October 27 – Sunday October 30.
