Starball:
Tamar started Starball in 1996 from the bedroom of her first Chicago apartment.
Over the years, Starball had several releases as well as many changing members.
Starball's first release was an EP, recorded at Gravity Studios with Doug McBride and Chad Adams, with members Jay Lamoureux (guitar) and
Scot Armstrong (drums - who went on to co-write Road Trip, Old School and Starskey and Hutch).
Starball's second release in 1997 was a 3-song tape recorded by Steve Albini, with members Jodie Zeitler (bass) and Lisa Zeimann (drums).
Holstein Park, Starball's 1998 release through Pussycat Records, was their first full length album.
Recorded at Attica Studios by Chuck Uchida, Holstein Park featured Jodie Zeitler on bass and Scott Rosenquist (drums).
Starball released a limited edition 7" on Thick Records which included b-sides from the Holstein Park sessions.
Starball's fourth and final album, Superfans, was released in 2001.
Recorded by Ken Sluiter at Kingsize Studios, Superfans featured Eric Hanna
(lead guitar), Steven Denekas (bass) and former Material Issue drummer Mike Zelenko.
Solo Releases
After Starball released Superfans Tamar began working on
her solo recordings as well as her song writing career. The resulting EP,
I'm Not Home, Leave A Message, was very much a departure from the girly pop
rock sound of Starball. Having taken the helm in her home
studio, Tamar emerged with an EP that was dark and melancholy.
This EP was very experimental for Tamar, who used it as a way to learn how to record, mix and program on her own.
In 2005, the Chicago label Minty Fresh, repackaged and re-released I'm Not Home, Leave A Message,
with additional songs. In 2007, Minty Fresh released Tuesday on Saturday, Tamar's second full length solo album.
The Countdown
In 2001, Tamar pulled out demos that she had written for an
unfinished rock opera she has started in 1998.
She and her partner (and current husband) Steve Denekas (Entertainment, Red Eyed Legends, The Submarine Races), re-recorded the songs in their home studio
and finished the thirteen song album Communicator, along with the 5 song Human Resources EP.
With the challenge of a live show, they took their cue from the growing
electro scene in NY and LA, and in the fall of 2002, The Countdown played
live for the first time. In 2004, The Countdown released the Scratch & Sniff EP
and a limited edition 7" which included a remix by David Yow (Jesus Lizard, Scratch Acid, QUI) on Martin Atkins' label Invisible Records.
Sweet Heat:
In January 2003, Tamar started a new project with former Delta
72 bassist Kim Thompson and drummer Chris Kurtz called Sweet Heat. The band
played their first show with friends Sleater Kinney and their second show
with The Gossip. In early May 2003, they toured with Ted Leo & the
Pharmacists for several dates and were featured in Venus magazine. One of
their tracks, "Oh Johnny" was featured on the Kill Rock Stars compilation Tracks
and Fields released in March 2004. Sweet Heat dispanded in 2004.
