This
one represented a massive box ticked off my “Bands To See” Bucket list. I’d
seen Belfast’s Starjets on Top Of The Pops in 1979 performing their almost-hit
“War Stories”, an irrepressible and buoyant New Wave powerpop number, with a
leather-jacketed youthful charm; however it was the subsequent “Shiraleo”
single, a year later, which really piqued – nay, skewered – my interest.
Taking the amphetamine-fast levels up about two million notches from its’
predecessor, this was a glorious, heavenly, soaring blast out of the blocks,
with a rampant, rampaging harmonic hook. I was floored. In all honesty, I
thought I’d found my new favourite band – or at least, serious rivals to The
Skids for that particular honour at that time. Until, in devastating news to my
15 year old self, I then discovered “Shiraleo” was Starjets’ epitaph, the band
soldiering on briefly as Tango Brigade before chucking it in altogether.
Vocalist Terry Sharpe and I crossed paths briefly a few years later, his 80’s
shiny chart pop act The Adventures supporting Tears For Fears at Golddiggers in
1985 (gig 25!), but that was it, and in fact, all I’d expected… after all, no
chance of a Starjets reunion, as they weren’t that well-known first time round,
right?
Wrong,
I’m happy to say… rumblings emanated from the Emerald Isle a year or so back
that Starjets were indeed scratching that reunion itch, with a couple of
low-key local gigs which put them on my radar for any UK shows; and patience
bore fruit, with the announcement of this one, a “Starjets featuring [original
guitarist] Paul Bowen” at the Hope And Anchor, a legendary Islington pub venue
I’d driven past plenty of times on the way to the nearby Highbury Garage but,
shamefully, never been to. This banner suggested Paul would be the only
original Starjet on duty, but fuck it, I’d happily travel to London to see
“Shiraleo” played on rubber bands and tin pots! I gleefully booked tix and,
come the day, I headed off at 4, intending to park up in my old Garage spot
along Upper Street. Stopped for tea at Heston, noticing a couple of blokes in
Arsenal shirts which jogged my memory; hang on, are Arsenal at home tonight? Yes
they are. Bugger! Anticipating gridlocked traffic around the venue and all
parking spots either taken or coned off, I rethought plans and dumped the motor
in Hammersmith (forgetting until after I’d parked, that parking charges are
£5.50 for up to 4 hours, then up to £20 for my intended 4-6 hour stay. Bugger!
Again…), tubing it over, inching out of Highbury and Islington tube station
just after 7 with the Gooner hordes, then noticing plenty of clear parking
spaces on my walk to the venue. Bollocks!
Grabbed
a drink in the packed pub and watched the Arsenal faithful file out, then took
a wander downstairs to this compact and evocatively dingy basement room,
immediately running into 70’s punk legend Spizz at the bar! Stopped for a chat
with Spizz, an absolute fruitcake but a lovely and voluble conversationalist,
and tonight’s promotor and Spizz’ drummer, who confirmed that a) this would be
an early one, as the support just hadn’t bothered turning up (!), and b) Paul
Bowen would indeed by the sole original member in this ersatz Starjets line-up,
usual vocalist Sharpe at home in Belfast looking after his dad, who’d just
turned 100! No matter: apparently tonight’s drummer had apparently seen time in
Adam Ant’s touring band and the bassist was in Joe Strummer’s band The
Mescaleros, so some pretty decent pedigree there! Paul Bowen joined us briefly
too, so I took the opportunity to… well, just thank him for playing tonight,
for dragging me up from the ‘don to hear Starjets material “live” for the first
time.
Took
a spot down the front as the 3-piece line-up took the stage to the strains of
Thin Lizzy’s classic “The Boys Are Back In Town” – so, inevitably, they started
playing along, this turning into a full-blown cover! “Here’s one by the
Starjets!” announced Paul, tongue in cheek, launching into intended opener
“School Days”, a prime slice of racy, pacy melodic punk pop, which sounded
tough and fulsome for a 3-piece. “Thanks for coming,” welcomed Paul at its
conclusion; “thanks to David Rose for coming from Swindon!” (I’m not worthy,
I’m not worthy etc.) In fact, Paul seemed to know where all tonight’s attendees
(about a 2 or 3 dozen hardy souls, plenty for this small venue) had come from,
which again gave the impression of a special exclusive event, as if Paul was
playing to friends and family. Which, maybe, he was…
A
couple of newies ensued: “Geordie Best” (preceded by Paul admitting this song
nearly got him into a fight in Glasgow when he announced it was about the best
footballer ever, a bolshy local suggesting firmly he, Paul, should, write a
song about Jimmy Johnstone”!), then “Titanic Town”, a lower-key, almost bluesy
tribute to hometown Belfast (“I’ve played this down the middle [of the
religious divide]; all you can hope to do is get on with your neighbours and
hopefully die peacefully in your sleep!”). Then, preceded by a tale of how Paul
dropped a copy of the 7” single off to John Peel, only to told later by the
great man, “I’m not going to play it as it’s too tuneful, so doesn’t interest
me!”, was the number I was really here for; easing in less forcefully
and dynamically than on record, “Shiraleo” was nonetheless superb,
scintillating and soaring, Paul’s accented vocals deeper and more resonant than
the higher-pitched clarity of Sharpe’s recorded voice, yet still suiting this
number perfectly, and getting me working up a sweat down the front. Dedicated
to me after the fact too, as I’d been waiting 40 years to hear it “live”.
Highlight of the set? Hell, one of the highlights of my year…!
“Legendary
Girl”, a poignant tribute to murdered LGBTQ activist Lyra McKee, was easily the
best of the newies (by which I mean, anything written after 1980!); then it all
got a bit punk rock…(!) A ragged “I Fought The Law” prompted the boys to tackle
an impromptu “London Calling” as well; “War Stories”, Starjets TOTP moment, was
delivered brilliantly and breathtakingly after Paul’s story of how Green Day’s
Billie Joe Armstrong had covered it on a YouTube lockdown series; then Paul
decided to return the favour, delivering a splendidly raucous “Basketcase” to
close out the planned set. Not the night, though, as the band threw in encore
covers of Irish rock classics “Teenage Kicks” and a snaking, undulating “Whisky
In The Jar” for good measure. In all honesty, I’d have liked to hear a few more
Starjets originals (“Ten Years” and “Standby 19” would have been my shouts)
instead of the proliferation of covers, but hey, I’m being picky. This was a
fine, entertaining gig which, for “Schooldays”, “War Stories” and particularly
“Shiraleo”, touched the hem of greatness, doing full justice to those classic
songs I’ve known so well for so long.
A
signed list and a couple of words with the man, before I took the opportunity
to beat the football exodus, crossing town easily and, despite a brief
diversion around Heathrow, hitting home just after midnight. Hopefully next
time Mr. Sharpe will be available to provide those harmonies missing tonight,
but in the meantime, that massive box was still well and truly ticked tonight.
God Bless Paul Bowen and The Starjets!
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