Gary Curran (aka DJ Curntables), Declan McLaughlin (aka Decky Hedrock), and Gareth "Galo" Donoghue debuted with the single "Rodney Trotter" (named for a character in the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses and featuring a main hook lifted from New Order's "Blue Monday") in 2006, followed by "Dirty Popstars on Your Radio" and a split remix EP with Groove Armada the following year. Signing to the electronica label Gung Ho Recordings, the Japanese Popstars released the three-track EP 1 in the spring of 2008, with debut full-length We Just Are following that summer. The album peaked at number 89 on the Irish Albums Chart and earned the group a contract with Virgin. Controlling Your Allegiance, their first album for the label, was released in 2011. Also regarded as top-notch performers, the Japanese Popstars won the Irish Dance Music Awards' Best Live Act title for several consecutive years. ~ Stewart Mason