Starflyer 59

    Starflyer 59

    Riverside, California56 reviews across 16 releases

    dream popindie popshoegazespace rock
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    Formed in Riverside, California, in 1993 by Jason Martin after the end of Dance House Children, Starflyer 59 began as a vehicle for his guitar writing and remained centered on his songwriting. Silver established the early sound: distorted guitars hovering near feedback, subdued vocals and slow, droning melodies that made the music feel both heavy and dreamlike. Gold kept the overdriven guitars but introduced clearer vocals and more distinct solos, while Americana reduced the wall of noise in favor of straighter riffs, surf inflections and occasional organ. By The Fashion Focus, keyboards and other studio colors had moved forward, leaving the guitars in a broader pop setting. The band still sounded melancholy, but its arrangements had become lighter, more melodic and less dependent on sheer volume.

    In 2003, Richard Swift and Frank Lenz joined the working lineup for Old, with Swift's keyboards and Lenz's percussion changing the balance around Martin's guitar. Martin later returned to a simpler rock setup for I Am The Portuguese Blues, which reconstructed songs written between Americana and The Fashion Focus. By 2005, Starflyer 59 was officially operating as a two-member group, Martin working with Lenz, although other musicians continued to appear around the project. After Talking Voice vs. Singing Voice, the band continued with My Island in 2006 and remained active through later releases, including The Changing of the Guard in 2010 and Young in My Head in 2019. Martin also reunited with his brother Ronnie in 2006 for The Brothers Martin, a return to the musical partnership that had preceded Starflyer 59.

    16 releases reviewed