BANG TANGO vocalist Joe Lesté (a.k.a. Joe McElyea) quit the band in 2000 to join L.A. GUNS but within weeks would rejoin BANG TANGO. However, he was soon out again, forging a new band with ex-L.A. GUNS bassist Chuck Garrick, former BULLETBOYS guitarist D.J. Ashba, FASTER PUSSYCAT's Brent Muscat and ex-SHAKE THE FAITH drummer Danny Parker. This unit collapsed when Garrick joined DIO and reinvented itself as BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.

In its new guize Joe Lesté's band retained Ashba and Parker with another ex-WICKED JESTER and SHAKE THE FAITH man bassist Kenny Kweens and former TOMMI GUNN, JONES STREET and ALICE COOPER drummer Anthony Focx switching instruments to guitar. The band retitled itself HELLSTAR in late 2000.

Kenny Kweens joined the Phil Lewis versions of L.A. GUNS in July 2009.