Starky
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Beau Cassidy, Nick Neal, Jonny Wilson |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Starky was an Australian power pop group formed in Sydney in 1998, consisting of Beau Cassidy (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Nick Neal (bass guitar and spoons), and Jonny Wilson (guitar). Their initial single, "Rock 'n' Roll is the Devils Music" (1999), released by Phantom Records, won them Channel V's Best New Talent award along with a $50,000 prize for a music video. Their debut album, Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (October 2003), produced by Rob Younger and issued through Laughing Outlaw Records, received airplay on Triple J.
On 12 August 2006, Starky launched their self-titled album under Universal Records. The lead track, "Hey Bang Bang," entered the ARIA Singles Chart at No. 42, gained extensive rotation on Triple J, and earned a nomination for the 2006 ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Single. The band concluded their activities on 28 July 2007 following their final performance at the East Brunswick Hotel.
History
Starky originated in 1998 from members of the Sydney pop act Pennidredful, which had previously released one single and two EPs via Phantom Records. Their first single in 1999 included contributions from Brian Crouch on keyboards.
By 2002, the ensemble comprised Cassidy (guitar/vocals), Neal (bass), David Simons (guitar), and Brendan Clift (drums). That year they toured internationally across the United States, Japan, and France.
Their debut album Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre, produced by Rob Younger and released in October 2003 through Laughing Outlaw Records, presented a strong set of eleven songs with notable tracks such as "That's How I'll Know" and "Complicator." At this time, the lineup featured Cassidy, Neal, Simons, and Graeme Trewin on drums.
In November 2005, Starky released a self-titled EP via Universal Records featuring Cassidy, Neal, and new drummer Saul Foster. Produced by David Eringa—known for his work with Manic Street Preachers—the EP combined elements of early 1980s new-wave with contemporary power pop. By December 2005, Peter Farley (keyboards) and Johnny Wilson (guitar) had joined the band. This EP reached No. 13 on the ARIA Hitseekers Singles chart.
In June 2006, Starky appeared at Sydney’s Come Together Festival. Bassist Nick Neal described their demanding tour schedule supporting After the Fall and Gerling as reflective of their energetic rock lifestyle.
Their sophomore album, Starky, was released on 12 August 2006 through Universal Records as a four-member lineup consisting of Cassidy, Foster, Neal, and Wilson. The single "Hey Bang Bang," recorded in London and originally planned as a B-side track, became their first top 50 hit. It also received substantial airplay on Triple J and garnered an ARIA nomination for Breakthrough Artist - Single.
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS | ||
| Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre |
|
— |
| Starky |
|
80 |
Extended plays
| Title | Information | Highest chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS Hitseekers | ||
| Starky |
|
13 |
Singles
| Release Year | Single Title | Highest chart position | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUS | |||
| 1999 | "Rock 'n' Roll Is the Devil's Music" | — | Template:Non-album single |
| 2002 | "That's How I'll Know You" | — | Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre |
| 2003 | "City Prison Doors" | — | |
| 2004 | "Saturday Night, Sunday Morning" | — | |
| 2006 | "Hey Bang Bang" | 42 | Starky |
| "Is This How It Ends" | — |
ARIA Music Awards
Since its inception in 1987, the ARIA Music Awards annually honor outstanding achievements and creativity within the Australian music industry.
| Year | Entry | Award Category | Outcome | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Hey Bang Bang" | ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist - Single | Nominated |