FALL 1984

Three former members of the Norfolk, Virginia group The Unknown decide to start a new band. Ralph Gerth is on guitar, Robert Steele is on vocals and Rick Murphy is on drums. George Rogic is added as the bass player. The group adopts the name: Starving Artists.

FALL 1985

Bert Kerr becomes the new singer in late September. The new lineup performs for the first time in October. Plans are made to record an album before the end of the year.

WINTER 1985–86

Jerry James agrees to produce a six song Starving Artists EP. In December, the band records at Secret Society Studios, a.k.a. Chung King Studios, New York City. The self-titled Starving Artists EP is released in March on Vince Records.

SUMMER 1986

Bassist George Rogic exits the band. Following a few months of stand-ins, Dave Lines becomes the new bass player.

SPRING–SUMMER 1987

Nick DiCorato replaces Rick Murphy as the drummer. Starving Artists return to the studio to record eight new songs for a second album.

FALL 1987 – WINTER 1988

Founding member Ralph Gerth moves to New York City in September. By January of the new year, drummer Nick DiCorato also moves to NYC. Bassist Dave Lines joins Nick & Ralph in New York. Bert Kerr remains in Virginia to complete his PhD.

1988–89 / FALL 2023 – PRESENT

Starving Artists continue to play shows and rehearse. Distance and obligations limit the band’s ability to remain active. The New York-based members found a new project called Still Life NYC. Bert Kerr and former drummer Rick Murphy join the Norfolk band Gutterbeat.

In 2023, Ralph Gerth, Bert Kerr, and George Rogic began digitally remixing and remastering their 1986 EP. All six tracks are being re-released as singles, with a full remastered EP planned for 2026.