Biography
Choosing a moniker drawn from the Hamburg venue that launched the Beatles proved an unfortunate decision for the early Brit-pop outfit Starclub. Their solid yet unexceptional guitar-driven pop failed to match the lofty expectations set by that reference point, disappointing listeners hoping for a revival of Merseybeat sounds or another record in the vein of The La's. Frontman and guitarist Owen Vyse alongside guitarist Steve French channeled a grittier '60s aesthetic, evident in their nods to the Pretty Things as well as the contributions of British R&B icon Georgie Fame, who played organ on three cuts. Notably absent from credits were the bassist and drummer, visible only in the artwork of the group's lone release, the 1993 album Starclub. Although "Hard to Get" achieved modest success on alternative radio, the band disbanded prior to releasing any follow-up single. Vyse subsequently toured with the reunited Echo and the Bunnymen, while French relocated to New York to work as a producer alongside ex-Gin Blossoms guitarist Robin Wilson in both the Gas Giants and the Poppin' Wheelies. A pair of tracks originally slated for Starclub's unreleased sophomore effort appeared instead on the Poppin' Wheelies' self-titled debut from 2000.