Hey! L.A.! [LP]

Hollywood Stars - Hey! L.A.! [LP]

Deluxe Limited Edition LP on Hey! LA! Fires color vinyl w, double sided lyric sheet insert THE HOLLYWOOD STARS DELIVER A ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LOVE LETTER TO LOS ANGELES WITH NEW ALBUM HEY! L.A.! Hey! L.A.! follows the Stars’ comeback effort, 2024’s Starstruck, which marked the band’s first LP of new material in a jaw-dropping 47 years. In a five-star review which compared the new songs to Blondie, the Cars, and Cheap Trick, Shindig! Magazine called Starstruck “the best power pop album of the year to date” and asked, “Where the hell do these guys get off sounding so youthful and exuberant?” The lineup of the band on Hey! L.A.! is the same as on Starstruck: vocalist Scott Phares and drummer Terry Rae (founding members in 1973), bassist Michael Rummans (joined in 1976), and guitarists Jeff Jourard and George Keller (recruited in 2023). Jourard was an early member of The Motels and co-wrote that band’s second single, “Total Control” (covered on Starstruck), with Martha Davis. He also played guitar on 1976’s Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. Recorded at Kitten Robot Studios in Los Angeles, Hey! L.A.! was produced by the band, Loren Molinare (The Dogs, Slamdinistas), and Paul Roessler (The Screamers, 45 Grave). Each member of The Hollywood Stars contributed to the songwriting, with occasional outside help by close collaborators. Mark Anthony, the band’s main songwriter and rhythm guitarist throughout the 1970s, is remembered with two posthumous songwriting contributions. The Hollywood Stars also revisit their best-known song, “King of the Night Time World,” with a new version recorded for 'Hey! L.A.!' with legendary producer Michael Lloyd. During his 60-year career, Lloyd has earned over 100 gold and platinum records for his work with Belinda Carlisle, Barry Manilow, Donny & Marie Osmond, Shaun Cassidy, Lou Rawls, and as the music supervisor for the smash Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The rousing title track, “Hey! LA!,” comes in on a Sweet-styled drum shuffle which sets the stage for Phares to deliver a rapid-fire rallying cry of support for Los Angeles in the wake of last year’s devastating wildfires. Other highlights include “I Survived 27,” an anthem of rock ‘n’ roll survival which references Kurt, Jimi, Janis & Jim, and “So Long and Far Away,” a party-starting tribute to the band’s early years on the Sunset Strip. “Bright Lights” carries on in a similar classic rock vein, while “This Moment” and “When I Find You” are more reflective songs which showcase the Stars’ tender side. “The Bottom” and “Will the Lights Go on Again?” are up-tempo rockers that first appeared on 2023’s ‘Still Around’ digital EP, but have now been re-recorded for their first physical release. Hey! L.A.! • So Long And So Far Away • I'm Not Broken • The Bottom This Movement • Will The Lights Go On Again? • 27 • Birth Lights When I Find You • King Of The Night Time World (2026)