Luna's excitement was contagious as she prepared for one of the biggest moments of her life: the release party for Bloodless Phantoms. Her self-titled debut album was finally ready, and she couldn’t wait to share it with her family, especially her father, Stiv, who had always been her biggest supporter.
The day of the release, Luna sent out invitations to her entire extended rock-and-roll family. Stiv and Vexy, of course, were right by her side, but she made sure to invite all the important figures who had shaped her upbringing and musical journey. Johnny Thunders, Walter Lure, and Jerry Nolan—the legends of the Heartbreakers—were the first to confirm, excited to see how far Luna had come. Claire, Michael Monroe, and their son Adrian, along with his wife Sara Jane, were also eager to hear what Luna had created. Even Rebel, her longtime friend, and his family—Serena, Dave Tregunna, and their daughter Emily—were all on board. To complete the gathering, Luna invited Brian James and Danny Fury from the Lords of the New Church, her father's old bandmates, who had always been like uncles to her.
The night of the album release, Luna nervously paced the living room of the house she shared with her bandmates. They had set up a sound system and a cozy, laid-back vibe, with dimmed lights and candles to match the moody atmosphere of the album. The room was decorated with a few scattered posters of Bloodless Phantoms artwork, and the vinyl copies of the album were displayed on a table for everyone to see. The haunting, shadowy design perfectly captured the essence of her music.
As the guests began to arrive, Luna could feel her heart racing with excitement. Johnny Thunders was one of the first through the door, offering her a playful grin. "Let’s hear what you’ve got, kid," he said, giving her a hug. Walter Lure and Jerry Nolan followed close behind, looking impressed by the setup. Michael Monroe and Claire arrived soon after, with Adrian and Sara Jane in tow, greeting Luna with proud smiles.
Rebel showed up with Serena, Dave, and Emily, the young girl holding her dad's hand as she gazed around in awe at the rock legends in the room. Brian James and Danny Fury brought even more energy, with Brian joking, “You better blow us away, Luna.”
When everyone had gathered and the room was buzzing with conversation, Luna finally stood up to address them. She felt a wave of pride and a bit of nerves, knowing how much these people meant to her and how much their opinions would matter.
“Thank you all for coming,” she began. “This album—Bloodless Phantoms—is something I’ve put my whole heart into. Every song, every riff, it’s a part of me. And I wanted to share it with the people who made me who I am today.”
Her father, Stiv, stood beside her, beaming with pride. “She’s worked her ass off on this,” he added. “Let’s hear it!”
Luna pressed play, and the first haunting chords of “Outside the Realm” filled the room. The ambient, eerie atmosphere immediately set the tone, and Luna could feel the eyes of everyone in the room focus on the music. As the album progressed, the deep bass, haunting melodies, and powerful vocals carried the listeners through each track, immersing them in the world of Bloodless Phantoms.
Each song seemed to resonate differently with the group. “Devil at My Door” had Johnny Thunders nodding his head to the rhythm, clearly appreciating the raw, gritty energy. “Speak No Lies” had Claire and Michael Monroe exchanging a smile, impressed by Luna’s lyrical depth. When “A Dead Man’s Hymn,” the instrumental, played, the room fell into a respectful silence, as everyone took in the somber, melancholic melodies.
Rebel, sitting next to Adrian, whispered, “This is some heavy stuff, man. She nailed it.”
By the time the album reached the final track, “Back to the Grave,” the room was buzzing with approval. As the last notes faded, Luna looked around at the faces of her family and friends, gauging their reactions. The applause and cheers that followed filled her with relief and joy.
Johnny Thunders walked over to her first, clapping her on the back. “Luna, you’ve got something real here. You’re a natural.” Walter Lure nodded in agreement. “The energy, the emotion—you poured yourself into this.”
Michael Monroe hugged her. “I’m so proud of you. This album... it’s something else. It’s you.”
Even Brian James and Danny Fury couldn’t hide their admiration. “You’ve got that signature Bators intensity,” Brian joked, earning a laugh from Stiv.
Serena, Dave, and Emily were the last to speak with her. Emily, who had been quietly soaking it all in, shyly told Luna, “I really liked ‘Shadows in the Walls.’ It was spooky, but cool.”
Luna smiled, kneeling to Emily’s level. “I’m glad you liked it. You know, maybe one day you’ll make an album, too.”
The night continued with music, laughter, and conversation. Luna knew this moment was special—her family had seen her grow from a curious kid into a musician in her own right. Bloodless Phantoms was only the beginning, and with her band by her side and her family behind her, she felt ready to take on the world.
