Altered Images
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| Altered Images | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Glasgow, Scotland |
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| Genre(s) | New Wave Punk Post Punk Art Rock New Romantic |
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| Years active | 1979 - 1983 | |
| Label(s) | Epic Records Diablo Records |
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| Associated acts |
Siouxsie & the Banshees Texas Universal Love School Hipsway |
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| Members | ||
| Clare Grogan Johnny McElhone Tony McDaid Michael Anderson Jim McKinven |
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| Former members | ||
| Steve Lironi David Wilde Jim Prime |
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Altered Images were a 1980s Scottish New wave band.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Formation
Ex-school friends with an equal interest in the UK post punk scene, Clare Grogan (vocals), Michael 'Tich' Anderson (drums), Tony McDaid (guitar) and Johnny McElhone (bass guitar), sent a demo tape to Siouxsie and the Banshees which soon gave themselves a support slot on their Kaleidoscope tour of 1980.
[edit] Early Singles
After being championed by legendary DJ John Peel, they quickly garnered enough attention to be offered a deal with Epic Records, but mainstream success was not immediate; their first two singles, "Dead Pop Stars" and "A Day's Wait", failed to reach the top 40. "Dead Pop Stars" was particularly controversial at the time, sung at the viewpoint of a "has-been" icon with much irony, perhaps badly timed in its release shortly after John Lennon's death, even though it was recorded earlier. It was absent from their studio album releases.
[edit] Happy Birthday
With additional guitarist Jim McKinven, they recorded their debut LP, Happy Birthday (1981) seeing them continue their link with Siouxsie and the Banshees, as the band's bassist Steve Severin produced several tracks on it besides the title track, which became their third single and biggest hit. "Happy Birthday" saw them be catapulted to fame with Grogan standing centre, quirky voice and bubbly character sending the band to number 2 in the singles chart in the summer of that year, establishing the band as one of the biggest New Wave acts around. This was confirmed when they were voted "Best New Group" at the NME awards.
[edit] Pinky Blue
After a successful headlining tour they released Pinky Blue (1982) showing them following a more pop route than before, providing two more top 20 hits, "I Could Be Happy" and "See Those Eyes". The album also went top 20, but many critics who supported them previously began to turn sour. Meanwhile, after McKinven and Anderson left to be replaced by multi-instrumentalist Steve Lironi they began to work with pop producer Mike Chapman, providing them with another hit, "Don't Talk To Me About Love".
[edit] Bite
This continued collaboration (and one with Tony Visconti) was seen with Bite (1983), a severe departure from their former dream punk not far removed from Siouxsie to a far more conventional, studio based sound. Grogan pictured on the album's cover sleeve wearing a sophisticated, movie star-like dress eluded many fans, and after the album's brief commercial spell, forced her and her band out of the spotlight and to their disbanding, post-tour with David Wilde on drums and Jim Prime on keyboards.
[edit] Breakup
After the break up of the band, Grogan attempted a solo career, signing to London Records and released on single and recorded an unreleased album in 1987 called Love Bomb. Despite lack of successfully fufilling a solo career, she was very successful in television starring in shows such as Red Dwarf, EastEnders, and Father Ted.
Grogan and Steve Lironi formed Universal Love School, performing together but never releasing any recordings. Johnny McElhone went on to perform with Hipsway and eventually Texas.
[edit] Reunion
Altered Images reformed in 2002 for the Here and Now UK tour, showcasing a revival of popular bands of their era alongside the likes of The Human League, ABC, and T'Pau, and again for some separate shows in 2004.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | UK | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered Images: | |||
| 1981 | Happy Birthday | 26 | - |
| 1982 | Pinky Blue | 12 | - |
| 1983 | Bite | 12 | - |
| 1984 | Collected Images | - | - |
| 1992 | The Best of Altered Images | - | - |
| 1996 | Reflected Images | - | - |
| 1997 | I Could Be Happy - The Best of Altered Images | - | - |
[edit] EPs
| Year | EP | UK | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altered Images: | |||
| 1982 | Greatest Original Hits - 4 Track EP | - | - |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | UK | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Dead Pop Stars" | 67 | - |
| 1981 | "A Day's Wait" | - | - |
| 1981 | "Happy Birthday" | 2 | - |
| 1981 | "I Could Be Happy" | 7 | - |
| 1982 | "See Those Eyes" | 11 | - |
| 1982 | "Pinky Blue" | 35 | - |
| 1983 | "Don't Talk To Me About Love" | 7 | - |
| 1983 | "Bring Me Closer" | 29 | - |
| 1983 | "Love To Stay" | 46 | - |
| 1983 | "Change of Heart" | 83 | - |
[edit] Compilations and Special Releases
| Year | Song |
|---|---|
| 1981 | "Happy New Year" flexidisc released with Flexipop magazine |
| 1982 | "See Those Eyes" flexidisc released with Trouser Press magazine |
| 1982 | "Little Town Flirt" on the Party Party soundtrack |
[edit] Awards
- 1981 NME - Best New Group/Most Promising New Group
