The Chinese Stars

by Heather Phares
Shortly after experimental rock avatars Arab on Radar disbanded in late 2002, vocalist/guitarist Eric Paul set about forming his next project, the Chinese Stars. Paul recruited Arab on Radar drummer Craig Kureck, former Six Finger Satellite bassist Rick Ivan Pelletier, and guitarist Paul Viera to complete the unit. While the Chinese Stars were slightly more conventional than Arab on Radar's provocative chaos, the band was noisy and weird enough to find a home on Skin Graft, which was also home to Paul and Kureck's previous band. The group released its debut EP, Turbo Mattress (which was shaped like a Chinese throwing star), in 2003.