BITE ME! Stellastarr* Live

Stellastarr* @ The Troubadour

Hollywood, CA.

July 21, 2003

It takes a lot to get me out on a Monday night. Hell, I won’t even sign up for a Monday night class. So, you know if I actually ask to be put on the guest list for a Monday night show it has to be special.

I fell in love with Stellastarr* the minute I heard their Somewhere Across Forever EP. I remember contacting the publicist immediately to reserve a copy of the band’s upcoming self-titled full-length, which was recently released on RCA records. So you can imagine how excited I was when I found out that the New York based new wave pop-punk group was going to be playing in L.A.

By the time the BiteMe! Squad got to the Troubador it was packed. The show was sold out, so I obviously wasn’t the only one who was anxious to see if Stellastarr* was as good live as they were on CD. The minute Shawn (v), Amanda (b), Michael (g), and Arthur (d) took the stage all eyes were glued front and center. The whole audience had a look of awe on their face as if they were witnessing the birth of something truly spectacular. Needless-to-say, the crowd remained attentive through the duration of the band’s set.

Stellastarr* fed of our energy and we fed off their catchier than catchy songs—each of which was worthy of single status. The band’s sound conjures up fond memories of the Pixies, B52s, Pulp, The Talking Heads, and the Psychedelic Furs, to name a few. Each song was punctuated by Shawn Christensen’s distinct voice, which was further complimented by Amanda Tannen’s stunning backup vocals.

As a whole, Stellastarr* are amazingly tight live. Their relaxed stage mannerisms may fool you into thinking they are amateurs; however, the group’s polished material and solid delivery squash those thoughts immediately. Songs like the majestic “In the Walls” and the blistering “Somewhere Across Forever” sealed are fate as life-long fans and when it was over people were screaming for more. But sadly, there was no more. And we were forced to wait for Stellastarr*’s return to the West Coast. -NIN