The Starjets

The Starjets are a British power pop/group from Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1]

Not to be confused with Lockheed L-133 Starjet.
The Starjets
Background information
Also known asTango Brigade
OriginBelfast, Northern Ireland
GenresPunk rock, power pop
Years active1976–1980; 2019–present
LabelsEpic
Associated actsThe Adventures
MembersTerry Sharpe
Paul Bowen
Liam L'Estrange
Sean Martin

History

The band was formed in June 1976.[1] The Starjets consists of guitarist/vocalist Terry Sharpe, guitarist/vocalist Paul Bowen, bassist Sean Martin and drummer Liam L'Estrange.[1] The group sported a mix of punk and mainstream pop influences.[1] Early sets consisted of such 1960s pop standards as "Please Please Me" by The Beatles and "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies.[1] They opened for groups as diverse as the Bay City Rollers and Stiff Little Fingers.

The group secured a major record label recording contract with Epic Records;[1] they were signed by Muff Winwood. They released a number of singles in 1979, with their only chart hit being "War Stories" b/w "Do the Push", which peaked at No. 51 on the UK Singles Chart.[2] The A-side is a celebration of World War II comic book stories, such as those of Sgt. Fury. They released one album, 1979's God Bless the Starjets, but it failed commercially.[1] Following the release of the "Shiraleo" single in March 1980, the band changed its name to Tango Brigade and released one more single, "Donegal", before finally splitting up.[1] After a brief stint performing vocal duties with the Angelic Upstarts (most notably taking lead vocals on the song "Reason Why?" from the album of the same title), Sharpe found greater success in the 1980s with the rock group The Adventures.[1]

The Starjets reformed in January 2019 and are performing live again. Their 2020 release "Geordie Best" made it to the Number 1 spot in the UK Heritage Chart.

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2365. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 524. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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