Chris "Blackie" Starks

UPCOMING/RECENT
May 1st 2008 - I've been traveling back and forth to Kansas City auditioning for a new band called LIVY HIGH which can be found in my top friends. Livy High features some amazingly gifted players/songwriters including grammy nominated musician Joel Eckman of Stone Sour. Jason Carrol's lyrics are really what turned me on to the project and I see great things happening with this band. I will still be fronting 8 Years for as long as I'm legally possible given that I am chosen to complete the lineup. Check out the group Livy High in my top friends...
April 6th 2008 - Life is truly a roller coaster... In the last several months, I've been tied down so deep in the creation of the new band 8 Years that I've hardly been on the internet lately. In the meantime, 8 Years apparently has been setting records of the amount of shows played versus any other local band in the area since it's incarnation... I hadn't even realized that we've been so busy because it seems like all we do is keep our heads down and keep moving forward.
I've also managed to worm my way in to the hearts of the world population by securing a co-hosting position on an internet radio station show that reportedly averages around 50,000 listeners a day, called the Aftermath. So far I've interviewed Cinder Road, Red, Teagan Presley and a host of regional celebs and it's been a blast.
I'm also currently working on a collaboration with members of Never My Silence, called Victims of Legacy and one of the songs written by the project is slated to appear on the Teagan Presley press kit in the very near future...
More recording projects to come in the near future as well as branching off into other forms of entertainment media. More to come on that soon...
Jan 18th 2008 - I know I know it's been a while but life has been pretty hectic to say the least... Recording has been put on hold at the moment to concentrate on writing and pre production. The calender is stacking fast and word is getting out about the band and incredible things are happening in the way of shows, new friends and fans, and just all around greatness for 8 Years. I also got a position as a co-host on www.riverfrontradio.com each and every sunday on a new show called The Aftermath which airs at 5 to 7. My personal life has been a whirlwind of ups and downs but I feel like I'm finally getting ahold of it somewhat. Funny how life can distract you in one aspect and kick you in the nuts when you look away. 2007 has to be one of the worst years I can remember for myself other than my baby sons being born. And with that being said, I can only hope that 2008 is the year my hardwork finally pays off because another year like 07 and I don't think I'll survive... lol See ya guys soon... In 08 look for shows with Shattermask, State of Mind, 360 Smile and more, including tours around the country and a new record to be released.
Nov 16th 2007 -8 Years is moving faster than any of us has anticipated and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a sign of things to come. We've been contacted all around the country by venues, promoters and apparently some magazines for interviews. The band has played together a total of times including practicing and has already got a set of music down and ready to perform. Writing is so effortless, I almost forget that we just started this a few weeks ago... We'll be hitting the studio soon locally to lay down some demos of new material. The team of people behind this project have made me extremly excited about playing music again and I thank all of you... Still writing with Dave of Karma and the album will be released sometime in 08 so never fear Karma fans...
Oct 29th 2007 -Sorry I haven't been on much, life has been extremely busy and fast moving and I guess I finally had something to update. Getting ready to fly out to Virginia to begin recording KARMA's second national release titled OUR GREATEST MISTAKE due in stores sometime in '08. On the home front, been putting together a new band in the St Louis area called 8 YEARS which features Richter Scale's drummer Rick Banta, and Marc Fain and Robby Black both formerly of Gun Metal Grey fame. Look for some new music from this group of talented musicians. Word from camp is good things are already lining up for this band thanks to some close friends in the industry that stuck by me. See ya on the road soon...
Sept 19th 2007 - Decided I'd keep you posted on what's going on in the great state of music in my life.. And uh yeah in case he reads this, I DID in fact swipe this idea from my buddy Scott.. lol Anyway, I've been doing some solo acoustic stuff around St Louis, Jamming with Buffalo Bob( former guitarist for Chuck Berry) and My dad Doc Sweetwood, and looking to put together an original project with some friends. Meanwhile, recording pre production tracks with my old band Karma for a second album to follow up 'Running On Adrenaline' which was released in 2002. I'll be heading back to Dragonfly Studios (SR-71, Plunge, Cinder Road, The Speaks) to do the final vocal tracks on the first four songs in Nov 07. Looking forward to that trip to DC to hang with Scott Spelbring again... He always makes life fun...