Major Stars formed in 1997 out of the ashes of the legendary Magic Hour, continuing that band's droning twin-guitar assault and melodic flash. The original lineup recorded four albums and toured extensively, including several festival dates and a long sweep thru Japan in the summer of 2001. After recording a live split album with Comets On Fire (the Live In Europa LP for Plastic Records), the original quartet splintered. Lost was longtime drummer Dave Lynch, and the bassman spot was left empty when Tom Leonard decides to join Kate Village and Wayne Rogers in the guitar frontline. But then Major Stars mark two starts to come together. Casey Keenan (drummer-turned-guitarist of local pop heroes Carlisle Sound) is roped into resuming his place behind the drumkit. Dave Dougan, already a veteran of the band as bass understudy (he was the unfamiliar figure on stage at their Terrastock '02 performance), returns to claim the position permanently. The new sextet is completed by the arrival of lead singer Sandra Barrett, formerly of local art-punk legends LA Drugs. By the time Major Stars 4 appears to universal acclaim in April 2005, the new band is awake and pummeling the locals with renewed fervor.

2006 saw the release of Syntoptikon, the band's debut as a sextet, on Important Records. The degree of heavy brought forth by three blaring guitars, a ferocious new rhythm section, and voraciously sultry female vocals proves too much for audiences to resist. Major Stars score a coveted mainstage slot on Thurston Moore's All Tomorrow's Parties festival in England, and go on to headline the K-RAA-K Festival in Belgium. The band won the hearts of freaks the world over.

Now Major Stars are launching their next attack with Mirror/Messenger, their new full length on Drag City. This album represents the band growing into its own skin, finally harnessing the potential for true rock n' roll annihilation that has laid in waiting all these years. Tour dates are forthcoming. Get under or stay clear.