The Japanese Popstars are an electronic music group from Northern Ireland consisting of Gary Curran and Gareth Donoghue (with former founding member and keyboardist Declan McLaughlin). Each member has his own alias. The act was nominated for "Best House DJs" at the 2006 World Urban Music Awards, "Best Live Performance" at the 2007 Northern Ireland Music Awards and won "Best Live Act" at the 2008 Irish Music Awards and then every year since (four years in a row). They were also voted "Best Breakthrough Producers" at the DJ Mag Best of British Awards 2008, awarded "No.1 Dance Album" by Hotpress magazine, and won "Best Live Act" and "Best Album" at the 2009 Irish Music Awards.
History Originally a trio with former member Declan McLaughlin (who now fronts Sirkus Sirkuz), they signed to indie label, in 2007 to Gung-Ho Recordings (GusGus, Zoo Brazil) in the UK, and Beatink in Japan (home of Underworld, Aphex Twin, and Cinematic Orchestra) but in 2010 then moved to Virgin Records. They have been referred to by people (particularly in Derry) as The Jappy Pops, Jap Pops, Popstars, the popstars or The Japstars.
In 2011 they released their second studio album 'Controlling Your Allegiance' which featured guest vocals from Robert Smith (The Cure), James Vincent McMorrow, Green Velvet, Lisa Hannigan, Tom Smith (Editors), Dot JR, Morgan Kibby (M83) and Jon Spencer (Blues Explosion).
They have also remixed the likes of Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Depeche Mode, The Ting Tings, Editors and many more, as well as playing the European MTV Music Awards Preparty live with Kasabian in 2011.
The band have played festivals around the world including Fuji Rock, Japan, Oxegen, Ireland, Sea Sessions, Ireland, Glastonbury Festival, UK, Electric Picnic, Ireland, Rockness, Scotland, Trans Musicales, France, Benicassim, Spain, Dour Festival, Belgium, Dance.Here.Now, New York, Camp Bisco, NY, Bestival, UK, Les Transardentes, Belgium, Sea of Love, Germany, Scopitone, France and many more.
Decky Hedrock has since split from the group to form Sirkus Sirkuz and a monthly radio show on RTÉ 2FM.
Discography
Singles "Rodney Trotter" on Dozer Records "Dirty Popstars on Your Radio" on Dozer Records "EP1" which includes "Delboy's Revenge" & "Sample Whore" on Gung-Ho! Recordings Groove Armada Vs The Japanese Popstars "Get Down" on Strictly Rhythm "Rise of Ulysses" on Gung-Ho! Recordings "Face Melter" on Gung-Ho! Recordings "We Just Are (Finalizer)" on Gung-Ho! Recordings "B.C.T.T." on Gung-Ho! Recordings "Destroy" feat. Jon Spencer on Virgin Recordings "Let Go" feat. Green Velvet on Virgin Recordings "Song For Lisa" feat. Lisa Hannigan on Virgin Recordings "Joshua" feat. Tom Smith on Virgin Recordings "Take Forever" feat. Robert Smith on Virgin Recordings "Shells of Silver" feat. James Vincent McMorrow on Virgin Recordings
Studio albums Year Album details Peak chart positions IRL 2008 We Just Are Released: 7 August 2008 Label: Gung Ho! Formats: CD, Download 89 2011 Controlling Your Allegiance Released: 9 March 2011 Label: Beat Ink, Japan Formats: CD, Download — 2013 Disconnect / Reconnect Released: 15 July 2013 Label: Bedrock Records Formats: 2xCD, Download — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
Live albums Year Album details Chart peaks IRL 2009 We Just Are: Live Released: 2009 Label: Gung Ho! Format: DVD — "—" denotes a release that did not chart
Extended plays Year Album details 2011 Controlling Your Allegiance Released: June 2011 Label: Virgin Records Format: CD
Remixes Cagedbaby – "16 Lovers" on Southern Fried/KSR Rob Hawk & MySoul – "So Shockin'" on Gung-Ho! Recordings Streetlife DJs – "Yo Jay" on Dozer Groove Armada vs. The Japanese Popstars – "Get Down" Strictly Rhythm Shinichi Osawa – "Star Guitar" on Data Records The Music – "Drugs" on Yes Please! Recordings Tong & Spoon – "Gas Face" on Television Grand National – "Cut by the Brakes" on Sunday Best The Ting Tings – "Be the One" on Sony Beyoncé – "If I Were A Boy" on RCA Beyoncé – "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" on RCA Depeche Mode – "Peace" on EMI The New Devices – "Everything Good" on Sony Benny Benassi feat. Iggy Pop – "Electro Sixteen" on D:Vision Editors – "Papillon" on Columbia autoKratz – "Kick" on Kitsuné Gorillaz – "On Melancholy Hill" on Parlophone Thirty Seconds to Mars – "Closer to the Edge" on EMI Kylie Minogue – "Better than Today" on Parlophone Daft Punk – Tron: Legacy Reconfigured – "Arena" on Disney Daft Punk – Dconstructed – "Fall" Remix for Tron: Legacy on Disney
Awards Controlling Your Allegiance was nominated for the Choice Music Prize in January 2012.
| 2012 || Controlling Your Allegiance || Irish Album of the Year 2011 ||
References
External links Official website