The Starjets

This band was formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 1976 with a line-up composed of Paul Bowen (guitar/vocals), Terry Sharpe (guitar/vocals), John Martin (bass/vocals) and Liam L’Estrange (drums/vocals). Since their school days each member had been involved with various bands of different musical tastes. Their paths often overlapped with Spike, a small rock band that included John, Paul and Liam. However, the limitations of the Irish rock circuit ultimately resulted in the Starjets leaving their native shores and heading across the water to England. In the first months of 1978 they were put into the ‘power pop’ category which was influenced musically by the 60s, with a leaning towards punk. Their live set included cover versions such as the Beatles’ ‘Please Please Me’ and the Archies’ ‘Sugar Sugar’, as well as a series of self-penned songs: ‘No Politics’, ‘Smart Boys’, ‘Top Of The World’, ‘Run With The Pack’ and ‘War Stories’. Their 1978 debut ‘It Doesn’t Really Matter’ was closely followed by ‘Run With The Pack’. Both received excellent reviews and had all the ingredients of a power pop hit but owing to lack of promotion, neither had any commercial success. God Bless The Starjets spawned three singles: ‘Ten Years’, ‘War Stories’ and ‘School Days’. Critics and the public showed only a lukewarm response, ‘War Stories’ being the only one to achieve any success, reaching number 51 in the UK charts. ‘Shireleo’, suffered the same fate as previous offerings. Soon after the band broke up, but not before the release of a single under the pseudonym Tango Brigade called ‘Donegal’. Some of the members went on to find success with the Adventures. ~ Rovi