Max Décharné
Encyclopedia
Max Décharné is a rock'n'roll musician, author and journalist, probably best known for his being the drummer for Gallon Drunk
and fronting his own band The Flaming Stars
.
. Over the next few years they published a large number of short-run pamphlets. Titles by Max included "The Importance Of Being Harnessed" and "The Night They Invented Shampoo". Most of these texts were later collected in paperback. Max also appeared as a guest on Frank Key's weekly Resonance FM
Radio show Hooting Yard On The Air in which the former publishing partners discussed their love of unusual literature.
He joined Gallon Drunk in 1991, touring with Morrissey and even gaining critical acclaim. However, the band didn't make any money, even though the tour was successful. After leaving Gallon Drunk, he formed The Flaming Stars, a band indebted to 1960's garage rock
, Nick Cave
and his love of film noir
and exploitation B-movies. As well as a vocalist, Décharné played drums in Gallon Drunk, as well as currently playing piano
and Farfisa organ in The Flaming Stars. He is also a member of The Earls of Suave.
His writing career has encompassed short stories, journalism, songwriting, books on hipster slang and cinema. The latter two were an opportunity for Décharné to watch his favourite films and indulge his passion for pulp fiction novels from the 1950s and 1960s. He has written for magazines such Mojo
and Bizarre, even writing on his North American tour with Gallon Drunk in the former. He was the last man to interview John Peel
before he died (Peel and Décharné were mutual admirers). He has also acted in the film Pervirella
, playing the role of the Curator.
Décharne now lives in London and Berlin.
Gallon Drunk
Gallon Drunk are an English band formed in London in 1988. Their swamp rock sound contains a variety of influences, from punk to jazz and the novels of Derek Raymond , and is noted for its dark subject matter.-Biography:...
and fronting his own band The Flaming Stars
The Flaming Stars
The Flaming Stars are an English underground garage punk band. The Flaming Stars can be compared to artists such as the Tindersticks and The Bad Seeds.-History:...
.
Music and writing
Décharné started writing short stories in 1989 but in 1986, inspired by the postpunk DIY ethic, Max founded the Malice Aforethought Press with Frank KeyFrank Key
Frank Key is a British writer and broadcaster best known for his self-published short-story collections and his long-running radio series Hooting Yard on the Air, which has been broadcast weekly on Resonance FM since April 2004...
. Over the next few years they published a large number of short-run pamphlets. Titles by Max included "The Importance Of Being Harnessed" and "The Night They Invented Shampoo". Most of these texts were later collected in paperback. Max also appeared as a guest on Frank Key's weekly Resonance FM
Resonance FM
Resonance 104.4 FM is a London based non-profit community radio station run by the London Musicians' Collective .The station is staffed by four permanent staff members, including programme controller Ed Baxter and over 300 volunteer technical and production staff.Until September 2007, ResonanceFM...
Radio show Hooting Yard On The Air in which the former publishing partners discussed their love of unusual literature.
He joined Gallon Drunk in 1991, touring with Morrissey and even gaining critical acclaim. However, the band didn't make any money, even though the tour was successful. After leaving Gallon Drunk, he formed The Flaming Stars, a band indebted to 1960's garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
, Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
and his love of film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
and exploitation B-movies. As well as a vocalist, Décharné played drums in Gallon Drunk, as well as currently playing piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and Farfisa organ in The Flaming Stars. He is also a member of The Earls of Suave.
His writing career has encompassed short stories, journalism, songwriting, books on hipster slang and cinema. The latter two were an opportunity for Décharné to watch his favourite films and indulge his passion for pulp fiction novels from the 1950s and 1960s. He has written for magazines such Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
and Bizarre, even writing on his North American tour with Gallon Drunk in the former. He was the last man to interview John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
before he died (Peel and Décharné were mutual admirers). He has also acted in the film Pervirella
Pervirella
Pervirella is a 1997 Adventure-Comedy film which was directed by Alex Chandon, the film stars Emily Booth in the lead role and featured brief cameos from Jonathan Ross and Mark Lamarr.Pervirella harbors a sex demon within her.-Plot:...
, playing the role of the Curator.
Décharne now lives in London and Berlin.
Gallon Drunk
- You, The Night... And The Music (1992) Clawfist
- From The Heart of the Town (1993) Clawfist/SireSire RecordsSire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
(UK #67)
Studio albums
- Songs From the Bar Room FloorSongs From the Bar Room FloorSongs from the Bar Room Floor is the first album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded entirely using valve equipment at Toe Rag Studios in London during January and February 1996. Produced by Liam Watson and The Flaming Stars. Mastered at Porky's by Mr George Peckham...
(Vinyl Japan 1996) - Sell Your Soul to the Flaming StarsSell Your Soul to the Flaming StarsSell Your Soul to the Flaming Stars is the second studio album by The Flaming Stars. The album was recorded in nine days and was released in October 1997 via Vinyl Japan.-Track listing:#"Sweet Smell of Success" – 2:25#"Blood Money" – 3:10...
(Vinyl Japan 1997) - PathwayPathway (album)Pathway is the third studio album by The Flaming Stars. As the title suggests, this was recorded at Pathway Studios, in common with some of the early Stiff Records recordings.- Track listing :#"Breaking Down - 2:12#"Only Tonight - 2:26...
(Vinyl Japan 1999) - A Walk on the Wired SideA Walk on the Wired SideA Walk on the Wired Side is the fourth studio album by The Flaming Stars. This album is different from the previous albums because more members of the band, besides Max , had contributed more towards song writing...
(Vinyl Japan 2001) - Sunset & VoidSunset & VoidSunset & Void is the fifth studio album by the garage punk band The Flaming Stars. This album is known for its noir- like, brooding feel. The album is pushed further by the smooth piano playing by The Flaming Stars' lead singer, Max Décharné...
(Vinyl Japan 2002) - Named and ShamedNamed and ShamedNamed and Shamed is the sixth studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Toe Rag Studios.-Track listings:#"She's Gone - 2:40#"Where the Beautiful People Go - 2:03#"The Marabou Shuffle - 3:27#"Spilled Your Pint - 3:24...
(Vinyl Japan 2004) - Born Under A Bad Neon SignBorn Under A Bad Neon SignBorn Under a Bad Neon Sign is the seventh studio album by The Flaming Stars. It was recorded and mixed by Ed Deegan at Gizzard Studios in London. The record is dedicated to the then recently-departed and long time friend of Max's, Nikki Sudden...
(Big Beat, 2006)
Singles/ EPs
- "Hospital, Heaven or Hell" (tracks "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye / Davy Jones' Locker / Like Trash / Revenge" - Vinyl Japan, March 1995)
- The Face On The Bar Room Floor / Get Carter (Vinyl Japan, August 1995)
- Money To Burn / Bandit Country / A Hell of a Woman / New Shade of Black (Vinyl Japan, December 1995)
- Downhill Without Brakes / Broken Heart / Eat Your Heart Out / Burnt Out Wreck of a Man (Vinyl Japan, May 1996)
- Ten Feet Tall / Spaghetti Junction (Vinyl Japan, December 1996)
- Bury My Heart At Pier 13 / Down to You (live in London) (Vinyl Japan, March 1997)
- New Hope For The Dead / Are You Being Served (Vinyl Japan, October 1997)
- Sweet Smell Of Success / The Day The Earth Caught Fire / Never Missed You Tonight / A Place in the Sun (Vinyl Japan, April 1998)
- Only Tonight (Vinyl Japan, November 1999)
- You Don't Always Want What You Get / Saturday Night Special (Vinyl Japan, January 2001)
- One Lonely Night / Days Like This (Alternative Tentacles, September 2001)
- A Little Bit Like You / The Man Who Would be B.B. King (Vinyl Japan, September 2002)
- Spilled Your Pint / Sixty Nine (Vinyl Japan, Bang! Records, 2004)
- Stranger On the Fifth Floor / New Hope for the Dead (live in Germany) (Vinyl Japan 2005)
Other albums
- Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo GarciaBring Me the Rest of Alfredo GarciaBring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia - Singles 1995-1996 was the first compilation album by The Flaming Stars.- Track listing :#"Bring Me The Rest of Alfredo Garcia" - Volume 15 version 1995#"Money to Burn" - EP version 1995...
(Singles 1995-1996) (Vinyl Japan, March 1997) - The Six John Peel SessionsThe Six John Peel SessionsThe Six John Peel Sessions is a 2-CD compilation album by The Flaming Stars. They went on to do a 7th Session after this was released. John Peel himself provided some sleeve notes. The album is dedicated to Ian Dury, who had recently died...
(Vinyl Japan, 2000) - Tijuana BibleTijuana Bible (album)- Track listing :#"Only Tonight"#"The Street that Never Closes"#"Bring Me The Rest of Alfredo Garcia"#"Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"#"Blood Money"#"New Hope for the Dead"#"Bury My Heart at Pier 13"#"Like Trash"#"Maybe One Day"#"Ten Feet Tall"#"Breaking Down"...
, (Nippon Columbia, July 2000) (Japanese release only) - Ginmill PerfumeGinmill PerfumeGinmill Perfume was a US/Canada-only compilation album by The Flaming Stars, featuring tracks drawn from the first four Vinyl Japan albums and singles prior to 2001.- Track listing :#"Like Trash - 3:29#"Ten Feet Tall - 4:23#"Who's Out There? - 3:45...
, (Alternative Tentacles, October 2001) (North American release only) - London After Midnight: Singles, Rarities and Bar Room Floor-Fillers 1995-2005 (Big Beat Records, 2006)
Tracks on other compilations
- The Face on the Bar Room Floor appeared on "Various Artists do the Nuclear Tests in Paris and Beijing" (Vinyl Japan, 1995) NB The Earls of Suave track "A Cheat" also appears on the same CD. The Earls featured many of The Flaming Stars.
- Bring Me the Rest of Alfredo Garcia appears on the 'CD magazine' "Volume 15" (Volume, 1995)
- Back of My Mind appeared on "Cowpunks" (Vinyl Junkie, 1996)
- Like Trash appeared on "What Did You Come Down Here For? Music from Club Zitt" (Genki, 1996)
- A Hell of a Woman appeared on "Plan Boom" (What's That Noise, 1998)