Three tracks from this cassette "Empire," (an early demo of "Imperial") "Rip Off" (a phone call to Spin Magazine) and "ChDemo" (a demo of "Cherry Cherry") wil appear in February of 2005 on the CD reissue of Imperial F.F.R.R. For the next two weeks I'll include two tracks from the Superstar cassette that didn't make the reissue cut.

Interspersed with samples from Blaxploitation films, this cassette is comprised mainly of loose demo materials from the Imperial album which marked the introduction of former Velocity Girl front-woman Bridget Cross to the group and a new pop-oriented sound.

The title of the cassette, the third and last in a series of Christmas cassettes released by Mark Robinson, Superstar is a reference to Andy Warhol's "Superstars."

The Superstars were people gathered by Warhol, photographer Paul Morrissey, and Gerard Malanga to be in Warhols films and accompany him in his day to day life. The Superstars included: Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling, Ultra Violet, Ingrid Superstar, Viva, Edie Sedgwick, Ivy Nicholson, Andrea "Whips" Feldman, Valerie Solanas, Jane Forth, Ondine, Holly Woodlaw, Jane Holzer, Mary Woronov, Bridgid Berlin (Polk), Bibbe Hansen, Jack Smith, Chuck Wein, Paul America, Tyler Mead, Pat Hartley, Eric Emerson, Lois Waldon, Billy Name
Dorothy Dean, Susan Bottomly, Naomi Levine, Gerard Malanga and Joe Dallesandro.

An outtake from Edie's
Life magazine photosession
(photo: Fred Eberstadt)
from WarholStars

The proof of this comes on an unlisted track sung by (unknown) that mentions a few Teenbeat releases (The Tube Bar and Paint My Dick) and a side reference to Edie Sedgwick's sister, Susanna also know as "Suky."

"Untitled {Edie Sedgwick's Sister}" (2.3 MB)

Cherry Cherry 7" (TB49/Hemolia)
Cover Star: Edie Sedgwick

While Edie Sedgewick was the subject of at least four songs: Bob Dylan's "Just Like a Woman" and "Leapord-Skin Pillbox Hat", The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" (The Velvet's were the Factory house band at the time. Edie was one of the dancers at the earliest shows), and The Cult's "Edie (Ciao Baby)," Her sister, Suky is the subject of only one and hey name is mis-spelled as "Suki."

"Suki" appears on the soon to be re-issued Imperial F.F.R.R.

The second song is a bit more straightforward. Inspired by the character of Caitlin Ryan (played by Stacie Mistysyn). Caitlin's character was a landmark for children's television as Caitlin tackled the issue of lesbianism (in episode 06 - that was banned in Britain), epilepsy (in episode 18) and countless political issues.

Stacie Mistysyn as Caitlin Ryan
in Degrassi Junior High
Episode 18: Stagefright

In the song the lyrics are almost impossible to decifer, but the reference to Caitlin's "bomb" is in referral to "All in a Good Cause" (episode 53) in which Caitlin spray paints the words "No Nukes" on the side of a bomb factory. In a non-Degrassi moment near the end of the song there Mark hums a part from the Happy Mondays, "Wrote for Luck" (FAC 212).

"Caitlin" (1.8 MB)

Caitlon was a demo for "Caitlin Bums" released on the Teriyaki Asthma Volume VI compilation 7" which was reissued on CD in 1999. (Buy it.)

This posting coincides with an announcement that Degrassi Junior High, Season One is getting an official DVD release. (UPDATED! Dec 21, 04)