KILLERSTAR TALK THEIR LATEST GLAM-ROCK-RENAISSANCE SINGLE, 2026 ALBUM, AND ICONIC INSPIRATIONS
INTERVIEW | KILLERSTAR by Martha Munro
Missing the glam-rock glory days? Look no further. Rob Fleming and James Sedge – better known as rock-duo KillerStar – have well and truly brought back the Bowie for 2025 with their addictive new retro single So Easy. With their next studio album, The Afterglow, on the way in March 2026, we asked them a few questions about their hot-off-the-press release, star-studded days in the studio, and journey together as bandmates…
Your latest single, So Easy, is an instant earworm, so energetic, skilful and glam. What were your intentions creating this song? How did it all come together?
Thank you! This was one of the first songs written for the new album. It stemmed from the opening guitar riff and the music organically evolved from there. It was intended to be a joyful, positive vibes kind of song with a mix of crunchy riffs and catchy hooks, with harmonies from backing singers, The Webb Sisters. It has a few twists and turns, for example the piano solo from Mike Garson.
And of course, this is just a glimpse of the full album, The Afterglow, coming to streaming platforms on 20th March next year. Tell us all about it! The creative process, the vision, the inspirations…
The new album was inspired by the creation of the first album and the live shows since. We got into a nice song writing rhythm and the ideas flowed. It feels like a natural progression from the first. The songs were written and demos made by us (Rob and James), then we pulled in the other musicians on the album – David Bowie band alumni Earl Slick, Mike Garson, Mark Plati, plus The Webb Sisters – and recorded parts in various studios in the UK and USA.
Did you always know So Easy was going to be the lead single?
Yes, it felt like an appropriate introduction to the new album. So Easy feels like a bridge between the two albums. As we finalised the rest of the album we did revisit our decision, but felt it still to be a good choice for the first single .
How did KillerStar come to be? How did you meet? Was making music together always in the cards, or did it come out of the blue?
We have known each other a looong time; we shared the same love of music and had each been in numerous musical projects but never together in a rock-oriented band. Rock music is in our DNA, so the KillerStar band has felt so natural to work on. We started with one song and thought about putting it out as a single. Inspiration hit us, so we decided to write more and create an album. It has been the most exciting and satisfying project, and fortunately a lot of people seem to really like it!
You’ve been honoured with some glowing comparisons to the likes of glam-rock legend David Bowie, as well as Suede and other banger-bouncing bands. Which artists inspire you?
We love a wide range of music. I wouldn’t say we are influenced by any one band or even genre to be honest. I’d say : Pink Floyd, The Charlatans, Rush, Miles Davies, David Bowie, Johnny Marr, The Rolling Stones. Also newer artists like The Orielles, Wolf Alice. Funnily enough we haven’t listened much to Suede.
What’s your first memory of music?
Rob: My parents weren’t massively into music, but Bill Hailey Rock Around The Clock was often playing in our house. I hasten to add I wasn’t born when that was first released!
James: For me it was probably early 1970s editions of Top of The Pops. Seeing Bowie, T-Rex, The Sweet etc each week has had some impact on my playing. That loose, slinky feel is so infectious.
And, ‘tis the season after all – if you could each bring one artist to Christmas dinner, dead or alive, who would you pick?
We both love listening to Iggy Pop’s show on BBC Radio 6. Iggy would be the most amazing company with his encyclopaedic knowledge of music and a lifetime of experience.
