Ilkurlka Desert Stars Sessions Part 3

The Desert Stars - Derek Coleman, Justin Curry, Ashley Franks and Jay Minning @ Ilkurlka Roundhouse, 17 June 2024

The band themselves are in many ways aligned with that of countless others; an assemblage of individuals that coalesce around a central goal, an artistic mission and desire to be fulfilled by the the act of making glorious noise. The Desert Stars heritage emanated listening to a hodge-podge of cassettes and CDs - classic ‘70s and ‘80s pop to hard rock and proto-metal, absorbed the same way anyone else did of that era - pre-YouTube, pre-internet anything and a complete absence of methods formal or regimented. They specialise a somewhat scarce variety of hard rock - I say this to identify them apart from from the more ubiquitous desert reggae and ska, pop, RnB and hip-hop artists. Vintage and direct, their repertoire has a niche legacy quality layered over with localised tales and ideology, both in Pitjantjatjara and English. Each member possesses an identifiable approach and it’s the sum of these parts that drew me to the Tjuntjuntjara rec hall in 2016.  >>>>>  The song that best illustrates this for me is also the same one they were running down at the time, Ananguku. Based around one riff, and in my favourite key of “A”, it has everything you need from rock music - uplifting power, a groove and message of unity and self affirmation - the right to dance all over your troubles and be at one with who you are. The version I went on to capture later that year can be heard here - The song mines the boogie of old AC/DC, the power-chord punch of the Who and the self-affirming anthems of Kiss. >>>>>  Jay Minning creates these songs internally and authentically. His right hand has an enviable, natural swing that underpins the group’s core sound. He is an emerging elder who will in time become a ceremonial leader. He creates ideologically and from the heart, working stories and concepts that Jay himself is often confronted by. Ashley Franks’ urgent and metronomic drumming had many seasoned east coast musicians in his thrall on the Gravel Road film shows. He’s a family man, sincere and in love with music. His grandfather fled the Maralinga atomic tests in the ‘50s, Ashley speaking poignantly of this in the film. He’s been performing live since childhood. Justin Curry locks things down on his trusty black P-bass, his firm yet restless down-strokes hark back to any amount of ‘80s pub shows, ones that Justin never attended, simply channeling that pulsing clout. He works in Kalgoorlie and around the shire, moving about. He also does a rockin’ Elvis impersonation. Derek Coleman on lead guitar is an enigma. He almost surfs the strings, floating from one part to the next in stream of blues-infused licks. He grew up on the streets of Ceduna, SA. He has this unbelievable way of bringing all manner of things into his sphere, as if a witch doctor.  >>>>>  Like most proper bands, the Desert Stars operate with a synergy that wouldn’t happen the same way if apart. While Australian pub-rock is the catalyst, the desert is their muse. It affords a plateau they inhabit with exclusivity - a realm that those outside get to peer at, rather than see in full. They aren’t consumed with the kind of paraphernalia that has other musicians chasing down elusive and expensive sounds and equipment. They plug in and go, tuning by ear. The repertoire Jay provides is a continuation of oral tradition, stories and dreaming that reveal as much as they hold close. >>>>>  It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since I met the band, but when I did, me curious, and they, shy and aloof, I’d have not really expected to be documenting any continuing adventures today. This work has a way of getting under one’s skin, and right now, I can’t really conceive of what fuels the impetus to work onward, despite frequent wash-outs and mysterious trammels. I can’t tell if it’s the multitudes of unknowns or the overwhelming peace when the noise dies down. But luckily, the Desert Stars continue to invite me back. I climb into the same aero-van a week after arriving, overnighting at Kal, then fly the tarnished Q-brand home, like a returning sailor.