The last thing on singer/songwriter Julie Daniels' mind, while holed up alone in her London apartment teaching herself to play guitar, was fronting a rock band, recording an album and embarking on a national tour. However, the emotional songs Julie turned out led her to form "STAR 69" and sign a record contract with Radioactive Records. "I moved to London (from Los Angeles) and became one of those lost girls," Julie says. "I played guitar every single day like a crazy person. It was a weird time in my life and I needed an outlet. Music was it."
Her quirky voice and moody songs, supported by band members Richard Corden-guitar, Warren Huart-bass and Johnny Haro-drums, make "Eating February" a most unusual alterna/pop/rock debut album. Julie's sweet voice conflicts often with the lyrics she sings. Filled with seductive melodies, Julie's vocals cut deep with strong emotional themes and dark images, like the symbolic wounds in the tracks "Bruise" and "Scabs."
In 1995, "STAR 69" released two independent singles, and along with a series of live gigs, were met with much critical acclaim in the U.K. Looking for a change, the band headed to Los Angeles where they recorded "Eating February" with producer Don Smith (who worked with John Hiatt and Cracker). Actively pursued by Radioactive Records while in the studio, they finally made a deal the band is happy with, because "They give us the room we want and respect our creativity." Julie, while staying enigmatic about the lyrical content of her songs, says "Songwriting is therapy. I can't write when I'm happy. I know the thoughts that ran through my mind when I wrote these songs, but other people can make their own connections." Since the lyrics are pretty intense, I guess the listener will have to draw their own conclusions.
The opening number, "You Are Here," performed to a good old fashioned rock 'n roll beat and instrumentals, has definitely unconventional lyrics, and makes the phrase "you are here" sound almost scary. This song is followed by "I'm Insane," a decidedly quirky tune about unfaithfullness and the not so pleasant results such as STDs. "Burning Down The House" is a mellow, moody piece that again deals with the subject of insanity and even includes murderous dreams. As you may have gathered by now, the musical portions of this album, which are melodic and catchy, are in direct conflict with the lyrics that deal with subjects you wouldn't expect to be set to this kind of music.
"Rotten Punch" deals with broken rubbers and multiple sexual partners. "I'm Selfish" seems to indicate Daniels wants to emphasize her worst qualities: "I'm selfish, and I smoke and drink a lot." and looking for a man to turn her on. "Scabs" is almost a lament set to happy music as Daniels sings: "I can't stop picking the scabs in my brain/Only to bleed and feel again." A slower swing ballad, "Bruise," continues the album's insanity theme with the lyrics: "I'm just a bruise on the brain." The final cut, "I'm Not You," rounds out the album with a hard-hearted statement of being a cold, unfeeling person.
Now that I've run through the rather strange lyrics on this album, I must say that it is very well put together, has pleasant if a bit light instrumentals throughout, and the voice of Julie Daniels will stay with you for a long time. Hearing all the themes I've described in her very unconventionally sweet voice, almost takes the sting of the lyrics away. For a debut album, "Eating February" has a lot going for it, and "STAR 69" is deceptively talented. If you can handle the lyrics, which express feelings and real life situations, rather than profanity and a lot of shouting, you might want to check this album out. "STAR 69" is beginning a short tour on May 16, 1997, and you'll find the tour schedule below.
