10 Records Worth To Die For: #272 mit Jake Starr (Adam West, Jake Starr and the Czars)

Von

29. März 2026

Um die Jahrtausendwende waren Adam West eine der relevantesten Bands des Action Rock. Wer Bands wie Gluecifer oder The Hellacopters hörte hatte auch meist Adam West in der Plattensammlung.
Heute singt Sänger Jake Starr bei Jake Starr and the Czars, einer eben so coolen Band.
Nun hat er sich die Zeit genommen uns seine zehn Lieblingsplatten aufzulisten!

Thanks so much for this opportunity! These albums are in no order, and it’s impossible for me to choose only 10. Also, I think folks may be surprised I’m choosing many musical genres.

1The Who – Quadrophenia

I cannot explain how important this album was to me in high school. I was turned onto it when I was 14 and it changed my life. I knew the Who, of course, but to hear the majesty of the music and be introduced to mod via this album was integral to my music education. “The Real Me” may still be my favorite song of all time. Now, I prefer all the 1960s album, and if “My Generation” had included their first two singles “I Can’t Explain” and “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere,” I may choose that. And as far as other mod bands, the Jam’s “Setting Sons” is their best.

2Steel Pulse – True Democracy

I discovered reggae in high school through the British Two Tone ska bands (The Specials, The Selecter, Madness), which took me back in time to original Jamaican ska, rock steady, and reggae. The standout album for me is Steel Pulse’s “True Democracy.” The songwriting, the lyrics, the vocals… they absolute nailed it on this album. Serious runner-up albums in this genre include “Exodus” and “Uprising” by Bob Marley. But I could name 50 other reggae albums that I love.

3ABC – The Lexicon of Love

This may surprise folks who know me, but I love 1980s New Wave. The first Duran Duran album is a classic. But ABC hit the target with their first album “The Lexicon of Love.” Each song is masterfully crafted and delivered to tell the story of “Man Trap,” their silly short film released at the same time. Martin Fry continues to be an incredible singer and fashion icon. Favorite tunes on this include “Many Happy Returns” and “4 Ever 2 Gether.”

4The Misfits – Walk Among Us

This should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed my career: I love the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig. Glenn’s voice was certainly a major influence on my own singing. This album is indubitably a classic, but I actually prefer all the 7” singles that preceded it. In fact, the “Cough/Cool” era is my favorite… especially now that the Manny Tapes have been released. If you haven’t heard lost songs like “Infant Stranger” and “West End Avenue,” you’re missing out on some amazing songs that Glenn wrote in 1977!

5The Doors – The Doors and Strange Days

Once again, no surprise to anyone who knows me that I’ve always been a huge Doors fan. Jim Morrison has been a huge influence on everything in my musical persona. My mother told me that she used to play “Light My Fire” to me when I was a baby. Makes sense, right? I chose their first two albums because in a way they’re joined as those songs all came from Jim’s mind and notebook at the same time. The song “Strange Days” still haunts me. In addition to this, I include Love “Forever Changes” since it’s also one of the greatest albums of all time. I always wanted to do a killer cover of “A House Is Not a Hotel,” but the Hellacopters beat me to it… and did a magnificent job!

6KISS – Alive

This is the first album I ever bought with my own money. I was 10 years old and another kid told me about this “space rock” band called KISS and said I had to get their new live album. Well, I did… and it changed my life. Even without the music, just staring at the cover and other artwork fascinated me. I wanted to be Ace Frehley and tried to learn guitar. I sucked, so I ended up being Paul Stanley as a “lead singer.” If you need to enter into KISS music, start with this or “Rock and Roll Over.” I just wish Nicke Andersson liked KISS as much as I do. Haha! In the same “classic rock” genre, I need to add Aerosmith “Rocks” and Black Sabbath “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.” Those two albums also changed my life for the better.

7John Coltrane – Giant Steps

As far as jazz goes, I love the 1955-1965 “cool jazz” era. The experimentation continues to fascinate me, and John Coltrane was right there with his many early albums. Most folks choose “Blue Train” or “A Love Supreme,” but I prefer “Giant Steps.” Simply marvelous. Of course, I adore Miles Davis, too, and “Milestones” would be my top choice. The green shirt Miles wears on that cover is envied by mods everywhere!

8The Stooges – Fun House

Again, no surprise here that I love the Stooges. Their second album “Fun House” was recorded essentially live and is essentially flawless. Scott Asheton’s drums are mesmerizing, and Ron Asheton’s guitar influenced every rock, punk, stoner band that followed. And you all know enough about Mr. Jim Osterberg, so I need to say nothing more. Right there with the Stooges are the MC5 “Kick Out the Jams” and “High Time” albums. Absolutely life-changing for me.

9The Cult – Dreamtime

One of my favorite bands of all time. I’ve seen them 15 or so times, but it’s their first album that still moves me the most. Once again, the majesty of the songwriting, Ian’s lyrics and voice. I had never heard anything like it when it came out. Top songs include “83rd Dream” and “Rider in the Snow.” In the same “British post-punk” genre, these are also favorites: Bauhaus “The Sky’s Gone Out,” Sisters of Mercy “First and Last and Always,” Joy Division “Closer,” and Killing Joke “Night Time.”

10Curtis Mayfield – Super Fly

If there ever were a genius songwriter, it was Curtis Mayfield. His work over decades was innovative and engaging. For example, “Move On Up” may be the greatest song of all time. My other band, Go Mod Go!, covered it a few years ago. The “Super Fly” movie soundtrack is so good that it seems it’s over as soon as it’s begun. Like, whey aren’t there 10 more songs on it? My favorite tune is “Eddie, You Should Know Better.” Kind of in the same genre, I would add Funkadelic “Let’s Take It to the Stage” and the song “Cosmic Slop.” If you’re not familiar with George Clinton, you’re not fully alive!

11Jake Starr can’t stop at 10!

As I said, it’s impossible to choose only 10 albums, so I’ve added these so you all can hear more fantastic bands: The Damned “Damned Damned Damned” and “Machine Gun Etiquette,” Hawkwind “X In Search of Space,” The Creeps “Enjoy the Creeps,” Plasticland “Plasticland,” The Monks “Black Monk Time,” The Saints “Eternally Yours,”and Radio Birdman “Radios Appear.”