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Janus Stark are a revelation. Stealing their name from a Seventies comic book character, the bandıs mere existence should be enough to put the fear of God up the less psychotically-inclined. Their name might fit half-way between Janes Addiction, Jimmy Eats World, Joy Division and The Jam (badly filed) but their sound suggests something more: Early Foo Fighters and Helmet before the rot set in.
Janus Stark are Gizz Butt (vocals, guitar), Gavin King (guitars), Lee Churchill (bass) and Alex Cummins (drums). You might remember Gizz from his Prodigy daze - guitarist on 'Fat Of The Land', a record that reached No.1 in 38 countries (39 and 40 were closed) - and maybe Janus Stark are his nemesis, his way of showing that the Prodigy were really about punk (as you knew they were) all along. Guitarist Gavin King (Haircut Of The Year) used to be in a sleazy rock n' roll outfit called Speed Urchin whilst Lee is far more than just a bassist - the guy is also a red hot guitar player that has
channeled his energy into the band he loves Janus Stark. 23 year old drummer Alex is a recent recruit, joining in Sept 2001 having bumped into the band at last year's Kerrang Awards. He won't forget that day in a hurry.
Janus Stark released their debut LP "Great Adventure Cigar" on Earache Records in 1998. Produced by Terry Thomas (3 Colours Red) its eclectic hybrid of heavy Pixies-esque basslines and Helmet-with-a-hangover beats quickly brought the band a bunch of admirers. A single called "Every Little Thing Counts" was the LP's finest moment and had a tune so persistent you couldn't get it out of your head. Other tracks like "Floyd (What Are You On)' and "White Man" showed the band's penchant for fiery melodies: it's punk, yeah, but it's the punk of Jail Guitar Doors and Motown Junk. "Every Little Thing Counts" made it on to the "Varsity Blues" soundtrack which itself made the Top 20 in the US Billboard 2000 and Janus Stark toured with Lenny Kravitz and Die Toten Hosen, the latter exposing them to 65,000 people in a series of dates around Europe. Gizz can add this to the million he played to with The Prodigy.
Janus Stark have spent the last few months writing and recording new material which will make up their second album. The bandıs sound is edgier and months of touring have made the band even tighter. Songs like the Soundgarden-esque 'Hypocrite' and future single 'Near Extinction' (with its shades of Refused ) are gonna become familiar pretty soon enough but theyıve excelled themselves on 'Built in defence mechanism'. Believe it or not this is more than a story of someone who falls in love with self destruction. Itıs also more than just cutting-edge metallic
punk. If anything itıs a call to arms for the young and disaffected... but with a fucking catchy chorus.
Dave Grohl has already said Janus Stark 'are a great melodic kick up the ass' whilst, ironically, Die Toten Hosen praised them for making the LP the Foo Fighters ought to have made. The bandıs last single - "Every Little Thing Counts" - made No.32 in the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Radio Rock Tracks whilst also getting a Single Of The Week plaudit in Melody Maker... but what do they know? Itıs all about music, man.
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