Former Child Stars

Genre: Pop, Rock

Former Child Stars have arrived. Less than a year since their first showcase gig to industry reps, this exciting young outfit from Adelaide have recorded Serotonin City, their superb second EP produced by Scott Horscroft (Silverchair, the Presets, the Panics) in Sydney's Big Jesus Burger Studios.

The quintet formed in the summer of 2007, when high school friends and guitarists Todd Andrews and Ed Mitchell recruited vocalist/keyboardist Luke O'Loughlin and bassist Jade Eley. The chemistry between them was immediate. They quickly commenced writing material and by mid-year were impressing audiences in their home-town with their energetic live shows and hook-laden, danceable tunes.

The buzz was growing. The band hit the road in late 2007, playing support shows for Sneaky Sound System and The Panics. By 2008 Former Child Stars had signed management to Majorbox Music (Tim Rogers, Tex Perkins), had been added to the Big Day Out (Adelaide) line-up, performed alongside Bloc Party and Vanilla Ice at Adelaide's Summer Festival, and this year played to huge crowds at Sydney's Come Together Festival.

After touring the East coast in early 2008, Former Child Stars had honed their fresh, unique brand of good-time indie rock and were ready to record. They enlisted producer Scott Horscroft.

“We met Scott in June and by July we were recording,” says Andrews. “He was really keen to work with us and we were stoked about that. This recording is a progression of our sound and we're really happy with it. Songwriting for us is a collaborative effort. We all bring an idea or song-part to the table and work on it together.”

And it shows. The result is a collection of finely-crafted, upbeat party songs that blend a distinctive summery-pop/dance sensibility with good old rock ..n' roll. From the opening track Control with its big, soaring chorus to closing number Polaroid, each song is a highlight, destined to get you on your feet.

As Mitchell puts it: “our music is always meant to be fun.”

Former Child Stars' formidable second offering is a bold statement of intent - it's catchy, edgy, full of energy and meant to played loud on a Friday night. Much like the band themselves.