The Complete History of Dubstar: Formation, Rise, and Legacy
Dubstar was a British electro pop band formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1991. Originally named Perfect Tone Series and later The Joans, the band was founded when singer-songwriter Steve Hillier met guitarist Chris Wilkie at Walker’s Nightclub during a club night Hillier was DJing.
Initially seeking a bass player to accompany his vocals and guitar, Hillier was so impressed with Wilkie’s guitar work that he reshaped the project to feature Wilkie’s playing instead. The duo experimented with various names before settling on The Joans, inspired by their ambition to become the next The Smiths.
The Arrival of Sarah Blackwood
In summer 1993, a chance discovery changed the band's direction. Hillier’s friend, journalist Danilo Moscardini, accidentally left a cassette tape featuring his girlfriend Sarah Blackwood at Hillier’s flat in Jesmond. Struck by her distinctive voice, Hillier convinced Wilkie they should invite Blackwood to join the band.
Sarah Blackwood made her debut in August 1993 with The Joans, performing Elevator Song at The Broken Doll in Newcastle. By early 1994, she became the band’s lead vocalist, replacing Hillier.
Recording Breakthrough and Name Change to Dubstar
In May 1994, studio owner Graeme Robinson saw The Joans perform at Newcastle’s Riverside. Impressed, particularly by their cover of Not So Manic Now (a track Robinson had previously recorded with Brick Supply), he invited the band to record at his Darlington studio.
Robinson took the new recordings to Andy Ross, CEO and head of A&R at Food Records, home to acts like Blur and Jesus Jones. Ross expressed interest but requested a name change, disliking the generic indie name The Joans. Inspired by the dub reggae influences in Hillier’s music, Robinson suggested Dubstar.
In November 1994, Dubstar — now featuring Blackwood, Hillier, and Wilkie — officially signed to Food Records.
Dubstar’s Rise: The ‘Disgraceful’ Era
In early 1995, Dubstar began recording their debut album, Disgraceful, with Stephen Hague at RAK Studios, London, and Graeme Robinson at Chappel Studios, Lincolnshire. The album incorporated the demos previously recorded in Darlington.
Disgraceful produced four UK Top 40 singles:
Not So Manic Now
Anywhere
Elevator Song
Most of the songs had originally been written for male vocalists, with only two (Day I See You Again and Not Once, Not Ever) penned specifically for Blackwood. An additional song Just A Girl She Said was an instrumental tune that Hillier had written for his music A Level exam that latterly incorporated a poem and vocal written by Blackwood.
Dubstar debuted on BBC Top of the Pops in January 1996 with Not So Manic Now, followed by Stars, which became an international hit — charting in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Austria, and hitting No.1 in Israel.
The album achieved UK Gold status from the BPI and sold over one million copies worldwide. A remixed edition followed in summer 1996, alongside extensive UK and international tours, including headlining The NME Tent at Reading Festival 1996 and supporting Erasure.
By the end of 1996, Dubstar parted ways with manager Graeme Robinson.
The ‘Goodbye’ Era
In September 1996, Dubstar appointed Stevo Pearce (founder of Some Bizzare Records, associated with Depeche Mode and Soft Cell) as manager. Work on the second album began in late 1996 at Stephen Hague’s studio in Woodstock, New York.
Unhappy with the initial material, Hillier returned to Newcastle in 1997 to write new songs, including No More Talk, which became Dubstar’s third UK Top 20 hit.
The album Goodbye was completed at Real World Studios and RAK Studios, releasing in 1997. It spawned three UK Top 40 singles:
No More Talk
Cathedral Park*
I Will Be Your Girlfriend
Dubstar supported Lightning Seeds on tour and continued international performances.
The ‘Make It Better’ Era
In May 1998, a planned writing retreat was cut short after Hillier left due to personal tensions. Songwriting resumed in Hove, with recordings starting at The Arts Centre, Newcastle in 1999, co-produced by Mike ‘Spike’ Drake.
The album, Make It Better, was released in June 2000, featuring UK Top 40 single I (Friday Night) and the EP The Self Same Thing, with collaborations from Gary Numan and Ian Broudie.
Hillier left the band due to Blackwood’s growing erratic behaviour. Despite contributing further material, Dubstar was dropped by Food Records in November 2000 and disbanded.
Hiatus, Reformation, United States of Being and Final Split
After a brief hiatus, Blackwood joined Client, while Hillier worked as a producer and songwriter for artists including Mark Owen, Keane, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
In 2006, Hillier, Wilkie, and Blackwood discussed a Dubstar reunion. Recording sessions for a fourth album, United States of Being, began in late 2006. However, Blackwood’s undisclosed involvement with Dubstar stalled progress.
After Client disbanded in 2009, further Dubstar recordings were made, including new work with Stephen Hague. Dubstar returned to live shows, supporting Human League and performing comeback gigs.
By 2014, personal and professional conflicts led to Dubstar’s final split, following a rejected royalty-sharing offer from Hillier.
Post-Dubstar Projects
Steve Hillier launched the Dubstar Archive on YouTube and has since released music under his own name, the live project GGGGHOST, and as POLITEK.
Sarah Blackwood and Chris Wilkie released new material of their own using the Dubstar name independently.
Discography
Studio Albums:
Disgraceful (1995)
Goodbye (1997)
Make It Better (2000)
United States of Being (2008)
United States of Being 2 (2012)
Legacy
Dubstar left a lasting impact on the British indie pop scene, with Stars remaining a staple on 1990s alternative playlists. The band's melodic, melancholic pop has influenced subsequent acts and retains a dedicated cult following.