Scott Phares
The Hollywood Stars’ singer/ guitarist on their first studio set in 47 years
How come you’re back now? The band re-formed in 2018, but we didn’t record until 2020, then Covid hit. Early 2023, we got Michael Rummans back, while George Keller and Jeff Jourard joined. The vibe changed. We were more creative, open to ideas, and came up with 13 new tracks. The sound is very reminiscent of the original band, but new. The production is clean, like in the 70s. It was fun. Ballads, anthems, quirky songs, straightahead rock’n’roll, pop. Our best album. Were there any amusing episodes during its creation? Jeff suggested some obscene lyrics to Michael’s Sleeping Giant. That had me doubled over in laughter. Michael comes up with off-the-wall ideas, one being cello on Shortage Of Love, another, harmonica on Walking With An Angel.
How long did it take?
We rehearsed and curated for a few months, then recorded in two four-day sessions: six in March
2023, seven November. Mixing December, mastering this January. What happened during your interregnum? I made two albums with Hero. Ruben De Fuentes and Terry Rae played with Blue Cheer. Ruben went to Steppenwolf, and Terry had a career in security. Gary Van Dyke played in Virgin, Kevin Barnhill in Bandit.
Mark Anthony pursued a country crossover career until his death. I retired in 1980 and pursued a career in technology. Then, in 2013, Robin Wills of The Barracudas reached out to Terry. I ended up sending a 1/4” stereo rough mix of our first album to England, and Robin digitised, cleaned, mastered and released it, as Shine Like A Radio: The Great Lost 1974 Album. We were quite pleased Record Collector gave it 5 stars as “one of the most vital reissues of the year”! After that, I hired my son, Brian Phares (at MTV) and his then-girlfriend, Kelsey Bergfelder (VH1), to produce a video of King Of The Night Time World. In 2017, a 7” EP was released. In 2018, I was in Los Angeles for a school reunion and met Michael, Terry and Ruben. Michael asked, “Would you consider getting back together?” I said, “Sure.” November 2018, we played the Radio Free Hollywood benefit, then returned to the Whisky A Go Go in 2019. We found a 1/4” tape of the unreleased precursor to The Hollywood Stars and released it as Sound City. Then we signed with Golden Robot and put out Live On The Sunset Strip. What’s been the standout moment?
Standing in December 1973 at the Whisky, knowing that John Lennon was there. Just before we went on, Kim Fowley said, “Before you sing High School Confidential, say, ‘Here’s a song you might’ve heard at the Star-club a few years ago.’” Talking directly to Lennon.
What’s been the worst?
I was fired from Hero, even though I wrote most of the songs and had the connections. I was devastated and quit. In 2004, I was at a friend’s party in Westport and, after a few drinks, they convinced me to sing with a band they’d hired. Then I started playing with friends. Who’s been the biggest inspiration along the way? The Beatles. I jammed with Ringo and met George Martin. Also, my friends, Steve Bartek [Oingo Boingo], George Bunnell [Strawberry Alarm Clock], Steve Goddard, my wife, Judy, Jon Carney of Baltimore Symphony, and Andrew Constantine of Fort
Wayne Philharmonic.
What do you put your longevity down to?
A great band with great songs, and it doesn’t hurt that KISS and Alice Cooper covered two of them.
What would a biopic tagline be?
The most famous band you never heard of. Big acts opened for us, including Journey, The Tubes, Quiet Riot. What’s next?
A lot depends on how well the album does, but we’re writing new material and hope to play Europe.
The Hollywood Stars Starstruck CD is on Rum Bar, 14 June, and LP on Sioux, 1 September.