Carpenter Joe were a four piece band formed in Bangor in 1985. Initially known as Lost Weekend (before changing their name due to the Lloyd Cole record of the same name). All the band members had previously played in various Bangor bands, Robert having been in The Doubt and Palace Of Variety, David had been a member of Draw A Funny Animal while Mark had been in Motion Pictures and Russell had been bass player with 70% Proof. Their debut outing (still known as Lost Weekend) was on the BBC N. Ireland youth programme Channel One.
The band gigged extensively throughout their career including Belfast and Dublin and recorded sessions for local radio station Downtown Radio as well as for Janice Long’s BBC Radio 1 show. Robert also resurrected his Solo Records label which he had released The Doubt’s single on in 1980 and Carpenter Joe released a five track to much critical acclaim.
Carpenter Joe released a couple of singles in the 1980's and split in 1987. The original members reformed the group in 2014.