1. A 70s NWO… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least five bands with the name Dark Star:
1. A 70s NWOBHM band.
2. A 90s Space-Rock band.
3. A 90s German Industrial project.
4. A 80s Rap Group from Los Angeles.
5. A 70s Prog band from the UK.
1. Formed in 1978, Dark Star are best known for their single 'Lady Of Mars' which was included on the legendary NWOBHM compilation 'Metal For Muthas Volume 2', and was a firm favourite in rock clubs at the time. They released their debut self titled album in 1981, which gave us classic NWOBHM tracks like 'Kaptain Amerika', 'Backstreet Killer' and 'Green Peace'. Over the years Dark Star toured with bands such as Budgie, Magnum and Ten Years After, also embarking on the 'Metallical Mystery Tour' with labelmates Limelight and Chevy. In 1985, Dark Star sadly called it a day, with a further studio album 'Real To Real' emerging mysteriously in 1987. These days the former members of Dark Star play in the blues band Poker Alice while Rik Staines, having worked in music management, now apparently teaches at a music college.
2. Dark Star were an English rock band from London whose music mixed dark psychedelia with a dub undertow and noisy effects-laden guitar.
Christian 'Bic' Hayes, Laurence O'Keefe and David Francolini, all former members of Levitation, formed Dark Star in 1998 and signed to the now defunct Harvest Records, the progressive rock subsidiary of EMI. Dark Star released several EPs and a debut album Twenty Twenty Sound produced by Steve Lillywhite. Their explosive live performances, usually with a stage decorated with fairy lights, attracted a dedicated following. The band's common musical influence was Public Image Limited. In 2000, the band had two top 40 singles with re-releases of "Graceadelica" and "I Am The Sun", both from their debut album.
Following the touring and promotion of Twenty Twenty Sound, the band entered the studio to record the follow up. Strangers And Madmen was mooted as the lead off single and received its first play on The Evening Session, hosted by Steve Lamacq. Due to a change in personnel at EMI and a general lack of interest from the label in the new material, it was agreed the two parties would part. The band split in 2001 with no official announcement, to pursue different projects. They were unable to release the already recorded second album as the rights to the music belonged to EMI. A bootleg of pre-master mixes of this album is now in circulation, entitled Zurich - it is not known where the title actually came from or whether it was the albums intended title.
3. Dark Star is a German industrial/psychedelic project created by Wolfgang Reffert. Tracks by Dark Star appeared on many compilations of independent experimental music. In 1994 Dark Star collaborated with The Legendary Pink Dots, Technogod, Gøtz Adler and Mark Crumby on the album "Travelogue", which was re-released in 2000 with additional material, and is the most known Dark Star release to this day.
4. Dark Star is the name that Rappers Rapp Group changed to in 1982. That year Duffy Hooks III gave the Rappers Rapp Group a chance to release an EP under AVI records (Distributed by MCA). The crew subsequently reformed as Dark Star and released the EP and received a great deal of local airplay on KGFJ in Los Angeles. They were an old school west coast hip-hop crew comprised of Mr. Ice, D.J. Flash, King M.C., Lovin' C, M.C. Fosty, and Mackermoe. Dark Star was considered to be ahead of its time as it features King M.C. and others speed rapping as early as 82’, a year or two before Kool Moe Dee, and also showcases the transition taking place in music technology. Dark Star features a more advanced electro hop sound than Rappers Rapp Group. This marked a departure from the original Rappers Rapp Disco Co. that they originally released under. (It should be noted the Disko Carl changed his name to Lovin' C when the group changed its name.)
5. Dark Star did a few gigs in Nottingham between 1978 and 1980, most notably supporting Last Call (who became Pinski Zoo). Dark Star became The Warm and Wonderful Beverage Company in 1979 on discovering the existence of the 'other' Dark Star (1) above. Dark Star was heavily influenced by prog and jazz.
Vertigo
Dark Star Lyrics
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And crawl with you, from all the wreckage our lives collapsed into
Yeah, I'll change the lines and I′ll move the scenes
But why, remains a mystery
You'd better watch your step (following me)
You'll get lost (following me)
I thought it over, over and over
Where was I? Oh yeah...
I lost those years, to all our idle hopes and fears
Now I buy inertia from the folks below.
Tonight, I′m falling awful slow.
You′d better watch your step (following me)
You'll get lost (following me)
Ok, there′s nothing happening, so get out of here
Maybe just keep walking, don't come back for a few years
Just keep on walking, walk right into the ground
Just keep on walking...
...and be a model of control, a model of control, a model of control
You′ll be a model of control.
In Dark Star's song "Vertigo," the lyrics depict a sense of disillusionment and the consequences of past actions. The opening lines, "Tonight, once more, I'll fall from 27 floors," suggest a recurring pattern of self-destruction or risky behavior. The singer acknowledges their participation in a destructive relationship, alluding to the wreckage and collapse of their lives. However, they express a desire to change the narrative, to "change the lines" and "move the scenes," although the reason for doing so remains unknown or unclear.
The tone of caution is emphasized in the repeated lines, "You'd better watch your step (following me), you'll get lost (following me)." This warns the listener about the potential dangers of aligning themselves with the singer and hints at further disarray or confusion.
The second verse expresses regret and a feeling of lost time. The singer reflects on having sacrificed years to unfulfilled aspirations and anxieties. They now find themselves in a state of inertia, passively observing life from a distance. The slow descent they refer to conveys a sense of resigned resignation, as if they have accepted their fate.
The final section takes a different perspective, suggesting a desire for control. The repeated phrase "be a model of control" implies a quest for self-discipline and stability. This contrasts with the earlier sense of chaos and vulnerability. It can be seen as a plea to break free from destructive patterns and adopt a more controlled and balanced approach to life.
Overall, "Vertigo" portrays themes of self-destruction, regret, the search for control, and the consequences of past actions. It sheds light on the complex emotions and struggles that can arise in relationships and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight, once more, I'll fall from 27 floors
Tonight, I will once again descend from a great height, surrendering to my own demise.
And crawl with you, from all the wreckage our lives collapsed into
I will join you in navigating through the ruins of our existence, as our lives have disintegrated into chaos.
Yeah, I'll change the lines and I'll move the scenes
By altering the course of events and rearranging the scenarios, I will attempt to bring about a different outcome.
But why, remains a mystery
Yet, the reason behind this endeavor still remains a perplexing enigma.
You'd better watch your step (following me)
It is essential for you to proceed with caution if you choose to follow my lead.
You'll get lost (following me)
For if you continue to follow my path, you will inevitably lose your way.
I thought it over, over and over
I have meticulously pondered and reflected upon this matter repeatedly.
Where was I? Oh yeah...
Hold on, let me recall my train of thought.
I lost those years, to all our idle hopes and fears
I have relinquished precious time to the fruitless aspirations and anxieties we shared.
Now I buy inertia from the folks below.
I now purchase apathy from the people residing beneath me.
Tonight, I'm falling awful slow.
On this night, my descent is agonizingly slow.
You'd better watch your step (following me)
It is crucial for you to exercise caution if you opt to follow my path.
You'll get lost (following me)
By pursuing my course, you will inevitably lose your way.
Ok, there's nothing happening, so get out of here
Alright, there is no noteworthy occurrence taking place, therefore, it would be best for you to leave this place.
Maybe just keep walking, don't come back for a few years
Perhaps it is preferable for you to continue walking and refrain from returning for a span of several years.
Just keep on walking, walk right into the ground
Simply persist in walking, proceeding onward until you reach the very depths of the earth.
...and be a model of control, a model of control, a model of control
...and embody an embodiment of restraint, embody an embodiment of restraint, embody an embodiment of restraint
You'll be a model of control.
In doing so, you shall become a paragon of discipline and self-control.
Writer(s): Dave Evans, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Contributed by Carter E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.