The Fallen Stars

2011 Nominee – Hot AC Artist of the Year – 21st Annual LA Music Awards

The Fallen Stars are an Americana Rock band from Southern California that believes a good story can break your heart and a driving guitar riff can put it back together again, all in the space of a three minute song.

BOBBO BYRNES

Guitar, random other instruments and vocals

The first song I was obsessed with: “Most Beautiful Girl in the World” by Charlie Rich. I played my mom’s tape of that over and over again until the tape broke. I was 4 years old. “I knew I lost my morning sun” was the most powerful lyric to me in the song.

The first record I bought: Pat Benatar’s “Crimes of Passion”. I learned to play air guitar along with this record.

The first song I ever performed in public: Was something I had written. I don’t remember the name of it but my first show was all original songs with the exception of “Just like Heaven” by the Cure. First song migh have been called “Attic”.

The song that reminds me of my first kiss: While not technically my “first kiss” – it’s the first kiss that was significant enough to remember and the song is “First Glimmer” by Paul Westerberg.

The song I wish I’d written: I can’t say “Dam” because Tracy already said that. There’s so many I wish I wrote! Maybe “Sunday Morning Coming Down”. I could really hang my hat on that song.

The song that makes me cry: “Shuffle it All” by Izzy Stradlin. It’s all in the line “if you see those old friends out there – tell ’em all I send my love.”

The music I listen to before I go on stage: Blue Rodeo is good for this. Lately it’s been a lot of Paul Kelly.

The song I love that might surprise people: “Steal my Sunshine” by Len. More recently – I dig Taylor Swift’s new song “Shake it Off”.

The song I want played at my funeral: “The hard way every time” by Jim Croce. One of those songs that every word rings true.
TRACY BYRNES

Bass and vocals

The first song I was obsessed with: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” – Bonnie Tyler (I’m still sucker for epic, bombastic ballads!)

The first record I bought: My dad let me and my brother each have 3 choices off of one of those “Seven albums for a penny” deals from Columbia Records. I picked Heart’s Heart, Janet Jackson’s Control and Whitney Houston’s Whitney Houston. Gotta love the ladies!

The first song I ever performed in public: Not counting high school choir, musical theater or piano recitals, I’d say my first singing/bass playing debut was at an open mic with a song called “Never Leave” from Bobbo’s first solo album, My Affect is Appropriate.

The song that reminds me of my first kiss: Anything played at a roller skating rink in 1987!

The song I wish I’d written: “Dam” by Matthew Ryan. We’ve been playing it so long it almost feels like we did!

The song that makes me cry: “Fade Into You” by Mazzy Star, because it reminds me of me sweet cat Mazzy, who died last year.

The music I listen to before I go on stage: Whatever Bobbo happens to be playing on guitar at the moment.

The song I love that might surprise people: My guilty pleasure right now is Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.” Just can’t get it out of my head!

The song I want played at my funeral: Jimmy Cliff singing “Many Rivers to Cross.” So beautiful, it feels like being in church.
BRANDON ALLEN

Drums and percussion

The first song I was obsessed with: “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin.

The first record I bought: The first two records I bought were Led Zeppelin II, and Jimmy Buffet’s Greatest Hits which I picked up from the Tower Records in Anaheim. These were both based on my dad’s recommendation.

The first song I ever performed in public: “My Sharona” by the Knack at the seventh grade talent show.

The song that reminds me of my first kiss: “Last Nite” by the Strokes. I remember this playing when it happened!

The song I wish I’d written: “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan, or anything by Garcia/Hunter or Patterson Hood.

The song that makes me cry: “Brokedown Palace” by The Grateful Dead. Also, any track off of In The Aeroplane over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel.

The music I listen to before I go on stage: The Who, Live at Leeds

The song I love that might surprise people: I am a big jazz fan, one of my favorite records of all time is A Love Supreme.

The song I want played at my funeral: Hmm, how about “Ripple” or “Box of Rain” by the Dead. Also “Magnolia Mountain” by Ryan Adams and The Cardinals.