Sean Burke first taste with the music business in 1977 with the punk band Open Sore, whose first release "Vertigo" is considered a punk classic. Soon after the recording of the live album "Farewell To The Roxy" Burke joined Tubeway Army and recorded the single 'Bombers".

Burke then briefly joined Robert And The Remoulds and recorded the single "X no 1 / Do eyes ever meet?" He then formed a new band with Open Sore / Tubeway Army drummer Barry Benn which was originally called "The Station Boys", but due to a heavy controlling management the band was pushed into using the name Tubeway Patrol. Because of the Tubeway name and the contractual ties of the management, the band were then dropped by their record company, leading to Burke splitting the band and concentrating on a solo career. He also played guitar for Jayne County.