Stark Music is a small publishing company owned by myself (Janne Stark). It was mainly started for the publishing of my own music. I also, when time allows it, help bands find a label/distribution deal and have in the past done so for bands like Scudiero, ACT, Human Race, Burning Water, Fatal Attraction and Plankton, among others.
My musical background
I started playing guitar (or actually bass at first) at the age of 10, influenced by bands like The Sweet, Nazareth, Sir Lord Baltimore etc. Made my first demo recording with the local band TNT around 1978, my first 7" with PARADIZE in 1979 and formed OVERDRIVE in 1980. The band split in 1985 after having recorded two albums and a 12" MLP. After this I formed the band Overheat, participated and was in the national finals of Guitar Battle in 1991 and 1992. In 1993 we resurrected OVERDRIVE and made a demo before splitting again. Finally in 1995 we formed LOCOMOTIVE BREATH. We released our début "Train Of Events" in 1997/98 and our second album "Heavy Machinery" in May 2002. After this I have recorded albums with various other bands and projects such as MOUNTAIN OF POWER, CONSTANCIA, PLANET ALLIANCE, THE KAARS, CHRIS CATENA and made numerous guest appearances on albums by bands like Narnia, Audiovision, Blinded Colony, Faith, Spearfish, Thalamus, M.O.B, etc etc.
My writing background
Started writing for BACKSTAGE magazine after having written some reviews and features in a local magazine. Later wrote for KOOL KAT NEWS, TAT N' ROLL, BLT, HARD ROXX, SYDÖSTRAN, METAL ZONE and SWEDEN ROCK MAGAZINE. I have also contributed in various other magazines such as SCANBIKE, FRONTLINE, THE MIDWESTERN SKIES, TOP 40, etc. I also had the local radio show MEGATON for about a year. I currently write for FUZZ (Scandinavia's biggest guitar magazine), Metalcentral and Metal Covenant. In 1996 I released my first book, "The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock And Heavy Metal 1970-1996" and the second volume 2002. The third encyclopedia is currently under production and is planned to be ready in the fall of 2010.
My involvement in Sweden Rock Festival
After visiting the first festival in 1992 as a journalist, I became involved and from 1993 until 1999 I was the press manager. In 2000 I became involved in the festival magazine and between 2001 - 2006 I did all text and layout. After this I was responsible for the band presentation and also did some work as guitar tech. In 2009 I decided to leave the festival and magazine and have nothing more to do with either, due to various reasons.
If you want me to listen to your recording, possibly review it etc., send a copy to me at: Janne Stark, Ekekroken 2, 375 30 MÖRRUM, SWEDEN.