Live: Adam Page & The Death Stars

The Promethean - Tue May 4
It's May the fourth so you know what that means: International Jedi Day (May the fourth be with you, geddit?). And for the fourth year in a row Adam Page & The Death Stars put on their Star Wars tribute spectacular, complete with a rockin' Darth Vader and can-smashing Yoda. Troy Foster went along to report on the action.

May the fourth be with you! No, it’s not another nerd with a lisp, it’s Jedi Day, a day that finds Adam Page And The Death Stars taking to the Promethean stage for their fourth musical tribute to all things Star Wars. There’s comedy, costumes and film samples galore as the Death Stars take the original film score to galaxies far, far away. Yes, the fourth is strong in this one…

The spectacle of the Death Stars alone is almost enough to justify the Jedi Day performance. The band is led by a giant wookiee who expertly wields the brass. Darth Vader makes an obvious choice for lead guitar with a subordinate stormtrooper appropriately relegated to bass. A slightly less feminine Leia adds to the brass while a mysterious cloaked figure tickles the ivories. This leaves Yoda to thump the tubs, the little Jedi master somehow stretching his limbs to raise a ruckus behind the kit.

Despite the obvious restrictions of playing in such elaborate costumes, the performances are all spot on. The Death Stars have an impressive energy, with each musician receiving an ample dose of spotlight and each taking their opportunity to shine.

The interpretations of John Williams’ original score are incredible. Highlights include an enchanting version of Princess Leia’s Theme performed on bass guitar and ukulele, a wild burst of sample driven R2-techno and an irresistible Cantina Band that relocates from Tatooine to a 1920s speakeasy…cos a light sabre don’t mean a thing if ain’t got that swing.

On their journey through the genres the Death Stars seem to inadvertently stumble across other musical fragments. The opening disco jazz of the Main Theme drifts awfully close to the clutches of the Dallas theme, while a couple of notes also appear to have made their way over from Fraggle Rock.

As Chewie roars before hoisting his banjo, “this is all about being stupid on Jedi Day”. While the wookiee and the Death Stars make good on this promise, they also produce an amazing musical experience with performances as polished as the appearances are absurd. Building on their already hectic schedule of one performance per year, the Death Stars have promised to reconvene in December to expand the concept to include other scores by John Williams. Look out Superman, there’s a wookiee coming for you.

So May the fourth be with you…always.

Words: Troy Foster

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