Product Description
The Makers: Michael Shelley (vocals, percussion); Don Virgo (acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars, clarinet, harmonica, bass); Jamie Frost (acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars); Jay Cassady (drums, timpani, percussion).
Additional personnel: Jello BiaJohnny Sangster (acoustic, electric & 12-string guitars, keyboards, background vocals); Heather Ballard, Ed Davis (violin); Roger Countryman (viola); Philip Peterson (cello); Todd Duncan (saxophone); Jason Staczek (keyboards); Larry Joireman (marimba, percussion); Mike Musburger (bongos, percussion); Vic Mostly, Charmaine Getchell, Michele Laudig, Jenny McEneny (background vocals).
Recorded at Studio Litho, Seattle, Washington.
Personnel: Michael Shelley (vocals, percussion, background vocals); Jello Biafra (spoken vocals); Don Virgo (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, bass guitar, background vocals); Johnny Sangster (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, background vocals); Ed Davis (violin); Todd Duncan (saxophone); Jason Staczek (keyboards); Larry Joireman (marimba, percussion); Mike Musburger (bongos, percussion); Michele Laudig, Vic Mostly (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Johnny Sangster.
Recording information: Studio Litho, Seattle, WA.
Unknown Contributor Role: Don Virgo.
A vainglorious, aggressive concept album, Rock Star God is far and away the Makers' best record. With Michael Shelley's snarl recalling vintage David Johansen, and the band ripping into a sleazy set that could have been the soundtrack for Rocky Horror II, the album consummates their identity as born-again glam rockers while showing remarkable artistic growth. Deeper and more textured than Psychopathia Sexualis, it experiments with fresh instrumentations and effects, adding strings, piano, and various eccentric touches to a smokin' hard rock base. In the process, the Makers produce their tightest batch of songs and considerably broaden their appeal. "Sex Is Good Food" and "Better Way Down" are as raunchy and fun as anything released in the '70s, while "God's Playing Favorites" is a depraved gothic prowl worthy of Iggy Pop. Not to be pigeonholed by their bad boy image, the second half explores more introspective thoughts, with the yearning "Texture of a Girl" and Byrds-esque "Give Me Back Yesterday." One of the best records of 2000. ~ Jim Smith
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