WildeStarr hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, and was Formed in 2003 by original Vicious Rumors bass player Dave Starr, and studio vocalist London Wilde. With Starr handling Guitars and Bass, and Wilde on vocals, and keyboards. As a Duo, the band released their first Demo single in 2007 called "Generation Next". Joined by drummer Jim Hawthorne in 2008, the band began recording their Debut full length album, "Arrival" on Furnace Maximus Records, to be released 08-01-2009.
PRESS/BUZZ - WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!
UFO guitarist Vinnie Moore says this about WildeStarr "Arrival"....
"Dave and London open up a big ole can of melodic heavy metal whoop ass on this one. At times the tunes remind me a little of Dream Theater. Dave has made a great transition from bassist to guitarist. This CD definitely rocks heavily!" (
Metal guitar legend and virtuoso David Chastain says..... "WildeStarr 'Arrival' is the best debut release I've heard so far in 2009. Newcomer vocalist London Wilde gives a star making performance." "
- David Chastain, Leviathin Records (Aug 20, 2009)
“Arrival.” Hands down this is the best record of 2009!
WildeStarr “Arrival” is a Progressive Rock Masterpiece! This record contains ten blistering tracks that took me on an epic journey somewhere beyond my soul and the volume knob. (And this one goes up to eleven!) -Michael Fischer KNAC Review Sept 9 2009
"WideStarr…Arrival takes me by the throat right on – A superb mixture of US Power Metal with minor dark/progressive vibes. If you’re into vocal use in the vein of Queensryche, Wolfeblitzer or Almighty Carl Albert – just go for WildStarr! MY POINTS:97/ 100"
- Stefan, Metal To Infinity (Aug 20, 2009)
If you enjoy the Heavy Metal mature, intelligent, who favors dark atmosphere, heavy and not the epic cavalcade if you are sensitive to production, the feeling and the overall quality of an album ... then quickly buy WILDE STARRR! www.metal-integral.com (France) Sept 7 2009
"Arrival" brings us power metal sound with melodic guitars and keyboards, vocals destructive to leave you breathless...WildeStarr "Arrival" Review at Toxic Metal Sept 21 2009
"Arrival" and it is 10-songs and over 50-minutes worth of powerhouse metal that really delivers the goods in every way imaginable....WildeStarr should come as a revelation to fans of 'guitar metal', or if you just like good songs - they've got that covered too. Review By Tony Cannella www.femmemetal.net Oct.1 2009
BAND BIOS
LEAD VOCALS, BACKING VOCALS, KEYBOARDS.
London Wilde has worked behind the scenes as a recording engineer, song writer, studio vocalist and keyboardist since 1994. While recording Bass tracks for the 2004 Chastain album, "In an Outrage", Wilde and then Bassist Dave Starr began discussing working together on his solo venture.
"Originally Dave approached me to do some keyboard work for him, but when I heard some of his material, I was really blown away, so I said, "Hey, can I be your vocalist?" explains Wilde.
In 2006, Wilde began writing lyrics and melodies for the material...When asked about her writing style, she responds, "I really consider myself mostly a story teller lyrically...I like stories, especially those with suprise or twist endings. .Irony is the basis for humor, and you have to look for the humor in life to cope with tragedy and pain." When asked If there was a common theme lyrically to the tracks on "Arrival", Wilde responds "Although unintended, probably life and death...People who want to live...yet die. People who want to die...yet live. Struggling and overcoming. Just the general cycle of life here on this planet, told from several points of view".
In 2007, the band released their first Demo, "Generation Next", which showcased Wilde's unusually masculine vocal style..."A lot of people thought I was a guy when we released that demo single" musses London. "I think some people thought it was actually Dave singing!" London elaborates on her influences and vocal style...
"My Style is Influenced by what I call the "Holy Trinity" of Metal vocalists, which for me is Rob Halford, Geoffe Tate, and Ronnie James Dio...The Father, The Son and the Holy Ghost, respectively". Wilde elaborates: "Dio made me want to become a singer, Geoffe Tate made me want to become a BETTER singer, and Rob Halford made me want to become a GOD". (laughs) "In the end though, I really just strive to be myself, with my own unique style, which for me is what being a true artist is all about. From a songwriting point of view, although my early roots lie mostly with tradition British Metal, I listen to a lot of current stuff. I like a lot of the symphonic metal, gothic and black metal. It's not my intention to replicate a genre, there is no appeal for me in that. What's exiting to me is to take the best parts of all the music I love, and create something new and unique within that frame. I try to not be cliche if at all possible. I look for new and different ways to say the same thing, even if it's been said a million times before."
The "Generation Next" demo track was well received, and the band made plans to track a full length album immediately. "We had the material, and we were ready to rock!" states Wilde, "The only think missing was a drummer" Over the next year and a half, the band searched for the right person for the job. "We had a few false starts" Wilde explains, "We just couldn't find someone with the same vision and passion for our music. In retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise, because it really gave us more time to perfect and polish our tunes, and to really define our sound."
In 2008 the missing piece to the WildeStarr puzzle was found when drummer Jim Hawthorne joined the band. "Jim did an amazing job on this record." states Wilde. "We got a recommendation from Brad Gillis, to check out Jim Hawthorne, and we clicked right from the beginning. Jim is sort of a musician's musician, as well as a recording engineer, so I felt like he really spoke my language. He got what we were trying to achieve, and finally everything fell into place".
The band began tracking over the next 6 months. In addition to the lead and backing vocals, Wilde lends keyboards to the new record as well. "Some of our tracks have keyboards. When I wanted to add a dark texture and mood. I am a big fan of Movie scores...I like use a lot of organic sounds, and layers of sounds to create a world that the listener can immerse themselves into. A person can be transported to another time or place just by using sound, and I consider that all a part of the listening experience, if it fits the musical composition. Other tracks are more raw and open, focusing more our strength as Guitar and Vocal driven band."
In April of 2009, the tracks were complete. When asked to describe the WildeStarr sound, London responds: "Most people who have heard tracks off this new record say we sound like Judas Priest, Vicious Rumors and Evanescence...If you are having a hard time envisioning what that unlikely combination would sound like, buy the record, and it will all start to make sense! (laughs). "For us, the WildeStarr sound is about huge, layered harmony guitars, soaring powerful Vocals, great melodies, and a thick fat sound that is both polished and raw at the same time. Our songwriting is very dramatic and intense....we like to keep building the intensity until you think we can't go any further...and then we do just that!"
"From the beginning, Dave and I set out to make a record that WE wanted to listen to..whether anyone else liked it or not. When in doubt, we stuck to that. No matter how well this record is received or criticized, we need to be happy with it ourselves, which we are. Neither of us wanted to just put out a record for the sake of it. We wanted to take our time and do it right. I am extremely proud of the results, I think we defiantly achieved what we set out to do..."
WILDESTARR BANNERS:
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WildeStarr's debut album "ARRIVAL" Released August 1 2009. The Album is available for download at iTunes, Amazon MP3 and Rhapsody. You can also purchase the CD at www.wildestarrstore.com
WildeStarr's epic debut album, "Arrival" has it's roots in Traditional and Progressive metal, but with a refreshing sound that is both modern and appealing. Dark, heavy, lush and powerful, the tracks are packed with impressive lead vocals, layers of guitar harmonies, hypnotic and addictive melodies, intelligent lyrics and plenty of guitar solos that intertwine the sub conciseness. With a sparkling first class production, this record is a must-have for fans of VICIOUS RUMORS, JUDAS PRIEST, SAVATAGE and EVANESCENCE.
ALL GUITARS, BASS
Many people are content with who and what they are, and what they have achieved in life. Dave Starr was not, and is not like that. After playing with the legendary VR (Vicious Rumors) on bass for over 12 years and on all of the bands 7 greatest albums... some would consider that a nice career and stick with it. But Dave wanted more.
"Playing in VR was great, it was a wild ride... for a lot of years. But I always felt something was missing". "I never really felt satisfied musically as a bassist. Geoff, Mark, and Carl got most of the credit in the band and many of my ideas never made it to the albums".
When Dave hit his 40's... he came to a cross road in life. "I really wanted to keep playing music, but not as a bass player anymore. London and I started to lay the ground work for WildeStarr as far back as 2003 when we first sat down and began writing some songs together and talking about ideas for the band. In the meantime... I did session work with David Chastain in 2004, and I came back to VR for the WarBall album in 2006... but that had more to do with personal reasons then it did with professional. I knew my future was for London and I to have our own band and write our own songs, and for me to play guitar. First thing I had to do was get sober after battling 10 years of heavy drinking, and then lock myself away for a few years to get good on the guitar and write some music."
Having recorded albums with such guitar greats as Vinnie Moore, David Chastain, Brad Gillis, Geoff Thorpe and Mark McGee was a big help. "I never sat down and learned any licks or riffs from those guys, but just being around them was enough for me to have all that talent rub off, I also knew that with all I had in my background, it put pressure on me to get my shit together and succeed."
Once Dave was free of the substance abuses that held him back for years, the ideas really began flowing. "When my mind cleared up from the booze, many great things happened to me. I got real healthy mentally and physically. I spent hours every day playing the guitar and it became almost an obsession. I always played guitar a bit over the years, but nowhere near the level I can play at now. I originally planned on having help on this album from some of the guitar greats I have worked with in my past, but the more I worked on my playing and song writing, the more comfortable and less intimidated I felt."
The result was Dave ended up playing all the guitars and bass himself on the entire WildeStarr debut album. "I put more work into this album then all the other records I have done in the past combined. I think the results speak for themselves. I will put this album up against anything I have done in my past. This album was an incredible journey for London and I. It was an insane amount of work for the two of us, but we did it... and we are both very proud of the results and of each other. London's vocals are superb, and on par with all of my favorite singers, that includes the likes of Rob Halford and VR's very own Carl Albert. And I feel my guitar work and writing is right up there with the many talented people I have worked with over the years."
"I am so excited about our music and what the future holds... I am already writing songs for the next album!"
WildeStarr... has "ARRIVED"
Dave Starr Discography and credits:
Albums With Vicious Rumors:
Soldiers of the Night Shrapnel Records 1986
Digital Dictator Shrapnel Records 1988
Guitar Masters Compilation Shrapnel Records 1989
Vicious Rumors Atlantic Records 1990
Welcome to the Ball Atlantic Records 1991
Live in Tokyo Atlantic Records 1992
Tribute to Carl Albert GTM Records 1995
The Last Word TyperPaw Records 2000
WarBall Mascot Records 2006
Other Albums:
Laaz Rockit "Prelude to Death" EP 1983 LR Records
Destillery "Behind the Mask" (song writer) Iron Glory Records 2000
Press "PRESS" 30 Days Records 2003
CHASTAIN "In an Outrage" Leviathan Records 2004
MTV Videos and DVD's
Vicious Rumors "Don't wait for Me" 1990
Vicious Rumors "Children" 1991
Vicious Rumors "10 years of Power" 1996
Vicious Rumors "Crushing the World" 2005
CHASTAIN "Bullet from a Gun" 2004
Hi Guys.... I hope you find yourself happy, healthy and busy. I have just put up three tracks on my player and ask that you kindly check them out and let me know what you think of them. The first was written for my Daughter and is entitled "AMY'S OCEAN" which should chill you all out after a hard days work. The second is called "CHASING THE FANTASY" which will definately wake you up again afterwards, haha.... and the third is entitled "TRANQUILITY",.. which speaks for it's self. Anyway....Throw an ear on them for me, and let me know what you think my friend,..because after all, if my friends won't listen.... Who will eh, haha. Sending Peace, and Respect to your good self, and I thank you for your continuing support and friendship............... Stay close eh! BISCUIT
PS.... If you have the time, Please check out my other tracks too.... Thank you.
Thank You for the invite!! I appreciate the Progressive, Haunting blend of your music! And it is always nice to see a band fronted by a Powerful Female vocalist! I wish you all the best for your continued success!
