If EVER there was a punk/hard rock band deserving of both national and worldwide attention and acclaim, (in both my professional and personal opinion as both a music industry exec and a lover of great music); as well as deserving an award or two in several different categories, there is no question that New York City's hard driving punk/rock band Stark, (also known as Stark NYC), definitely should and could be considered as major qualifiers and contenders. ...For a number of reasons.
The hard hitting powerful punch delivered by the surprisingly full, tight and rich sound coming from the members of only a three piece band; speaks volumes about the high quality of their musicianship for any genre. There may have been a number of great three piece acts throughout music history, but very few and far between are those that can create such full sound without leaving 'something' lacking. For the genres of punk and/or hard rock, it's even tougher; and only the best hard rocking musicians can pull it off; such as members of legendary bands ZZ Top and Gov't Mule, (back in the day when Gov't Mule consisted of only Warren Haynes, Matt Abts and Allen Woody). Only a very few other hard rock bands throughout music history have ever been able to accomplish this. One can now add the band Stark to that very short and elite list of outstanding three piece hard rock bands with that innate ability after their 2008 released and independently produced CD, titled "Put it to Your Head".
Several other exceptional elements screams even louder about the band Stark's high quality of musicianship which sets them in the forefront of other bands of their multi-genre prowess; one of which is the uncommon depth of songwriting mastery on this CD. In fact, listening to, and reading the skillfully written lyrics, (which are included in the liner booklet of the CD, and written by Stark's immensely talented lead vocalist/bassist Lani Ford), one can easily assess that while simultaneously creating several of the 'ultimate punk songs', they are also in fact addressing head on, some major social issues, such as child neglect/abuse, (and it's effects, such as the struggle for self esteem/respect, fighting self destructive tendencies, having to repress one's emotions and get on with the business of surviving by instinct and believing enough in one's own abilities and utilizing them for the shear sake of survival), and also addressing head on such social issues as alcohol and 'other' addictions, and loving and dealing with someone with those addictions, and so much more. Which to me, is beyond respectable!
Talk about a 'stark' contrast from the norm of the genres of hard rock and punk!
...Exploring even deeper, (by listening to their music), than the very cute, (yet sad), photo of a three year old Lani Ford on the cover of the CD, dressed in a cute little frilly dress with a plastic machine gun stuck to her head and standing by a shovel, one realizes that Lani Ford and the band Stark have pioneered an entirely new genre; "a thinking person's punk", if you will; and indeed, "puts it to your head" on their latest CD.
What is more, the entire CD, (either through the accidental or intentional genius of Lani Ford's songwriting skill), unveils itself as an entire story; which, not only in my opinion, but also the opinions of a fast growing multitude of fans nationally and worldwide, makes Lani Ford and the band Stark well worthy of an award for excellence in songwriting. In fact, after listening to the entire CD and story of Stark's "Put it to Your Head", one almost feels compelled to give a loud applause or even a standing ovation. (Straight shooting, and I'm so not just saying that to be nice). After listening just once to this CD, listeners will definitely be further compelled to want to experience this band performing live.
The thing is...The more you listen to this CD, the more you like it.
Another noteworthy element evident in Stark's music off their latest independently produced CD, "Put it to Your Head", (recorded in January of 2008 at School House Studios, in NYC, part of the historically renowned Tin Pan Ally Group, and engineered by the band's Guitarist, Joe Hogan), is not only that it is as good as it gets when it comes to the genre of punk, but also shows off Stark's ability to perform fluently in a number of other genres and styles, generating an enormous amount of broad audience and marketing appeal. Examples of the extreme versatility Stark possesses are exhibited in Track 1, "18 Again", which is a perfect example of 'the ultimate punk song', complete with starting the song out hard driving from 0 to 100 in one second flat...flawlessly I might add, which is no easy feat for any professional musician; and noticing, (again, and with no pun on words), the stark contrast in Track #2, "I Pay (Man in the Moon)" which has what can be described as having a classic late 60's style, 'heavy hitting rock/hippy head music' vibe.
Another example of Stark's immense amount of versatility and broad marketing appeal can be heard in Track #3, "Dreams Come True", which exhibits the timelessly cool style reminiscent of the late fifties/early sixties rock; yet Stark still maintains the ability to maneuver into the cutting edge of contemporary hard rock/punk in overdrive on Track 5, titled "Nothing's Wrong" and on Track #6 "Co-Dependent"
Stark is:
Lani Ford~ Lead Vocals and Bass
Joe Hogan~ Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals
Eric Robel~ Drums
"Put it to Your Head" is the band Stark's second CD. Their first, titled "The Curse", released in 2004, also earned the band a great deal of acclaim and a large number of fans, not only in the New York City area, but also nationally and worldwide. The band has one song that is expected to be released soon on a compilation CD titled "Goldies Garage Volume 1" on Wicked Cool Records which is owned by Little Steven Van Zandt of both Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band as well as the hit TV series "The
Sopranos" fame, and of course his own highly acclaimed syndicated radio program "Little Steven's Underground Garage".
The band Stark is also steadily gaining and maintaining an impressive amount of mainstream, internet, college and satellite radio airplay, not only in the NYC area, but also nationally as well as worldwide.
And can be heard regularly on Sirius Satellite Radio's "Goldie's Garage Radio Show" hosted by Genya Ravan; as well as having been featured on the esteemed Jim Breuer Radio Show, which is also on Sirius Satellite Radio.
If you haven't yet heard any of the music off of Stark's latest hard rocking CD, fans can do so either by visiting the band's official My Space site at http://www.myspace.com/
Fans can purchase Stark's smoking hot CD "Put it to Your Head", which is available now at CD Baby, iTunes, Digstation, other purchasing outlets as they come aboard, and of course, at their live performances.
Putting it to your head from Mindsweep Entertainment & Promotions ...if you haven't purchased Stark's new CD "Put it to Your Head" yet, we strongly recommend you do so. ...(OR ELSE!)
