Altered Images

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Biography

Glasgow, United Kingdom (1979 – 1983)

Altered Images formed in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1979, with founding members Clare Grogan (vocals), Gerard “Caesar” McInulty (guitar), Johnny McElhone (bass), Tony McDaid (guitar), and Michael “Tich” Anderson (drums). In 1980 Clare appeared in Bill Forsyth’s film Gregory’s Girl which helped to bring attention to the band, and after sending a demo to Siouxsie & The Banshees they secured an opening slot for their 1980 tour. This association soon resulted in the choice of Banshees bassist Steven Severin to produce AI’s first recorded work.

Following the 1980 tour and with the support of John Peel, Britain’s most influential DJ, the band signed with Epic. The first two singles, Dead Pop Stars and A Day’s Wait, saw the band beginning to develop their own sound. Epic wanted the band to add one more element to the mix: chart success. With this in mind they brought in producer Martin Rushent, who had an established track record of crafting left-of-centre hits with the Buzzcocks, The Stranglers, and Generation X. The addition of Rushent, along with second guitarist Jim McKinven, resulted in the single Happy Birthday, which managed to channel AI’s sound in a more commercial direction without losing their distinctive sound. The remainder of the album, also titled HAPPY BIRTHDAY, was produced by Severin, but it was Rushent who had charted the course for the remainder of the band’s career.
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  • IamFlood

    They should have been big like Oasis.

    13 Nov 2012 Reply

  • Tom-Tom44

    another lost look, see those eyes, think that it might

    7 Oct 2012 Reply

  • KuriousBanana

    I can still remember when I first heard Dead Pop Stars on the John Peel show, it blew me away and it still does 32 years later. God! I feel old!

    27 Apr 2012 Reply

  • Sonicjr01

    @olivegreen85: Agreed

    24 Jan 2012 Reply

  • Lobotomy77

    Pinky Blue is such a great album.

    7 Jan 2012 Reply

  • PaintAVulgarMan

    Claires voice in "Don't Talk To Me About Love" is just...wow..

    17 Dec 2011 Reply

  • RussellChap

    I still love Claire Grogan...ever since I saw her in Bill Forsyth’s film Gregory’s Girl

    9 Sep 2011 Reply

  • Akatian

    Don't talk to me abowt luuuv.

    29 Mar 2011 Reply

  • olivegreen85

    She has just THE cutest voice, kinda of a Blossom Dearie vibe. Like if Hello Kitty could sing (but, of course, she CAN'T, 'cos she doesn't have a mouth ...). I'm all the way down with Chrissie Hynde & Nina Simone & young Elton John, so I can't help but be envious. I always wanted to be CUTE.... (<_>) Instead, I ended up something like if Jessica Rabbit & Thomas Dolby mated — or Morticia Addams & Danny Elfman — and I took COMPLETELY after my dad. (Good job I LIKE them all!)

    31 Dec 2010 Reply

  • showroom-dummy

    it was happy birthday in sixteen candles. love themm.

    16 Oct 2010 Reply

  • bingbongbilly

    Scars, The Cure, Altered Images. Glasgow City Halls. Happy times.

    22 Sep 2010 Reply

  • sopor6

    I knew about this band when I watched sixteens candles back in 85 or so!! In the class room were the guy has his earphones on I believe it was playing happy birthday or I could be happy!! Still after 25 years or so its amazing to hear that song!! :)

    31 Jul 2010 Reply

  • gotrawmilk

    they need more plays! this band is underrated.

    21 Jul 2010 Reply

  • Zondagavond

    Bought Dead Pop Stars 7" today, with a lot of hiss, but still amazing!

    7 Jul 2010 Reply

  • vargas_girl

    @CDPETE01: definitely overlooked by most americans...never heard of them till I lastfm recommended them to me and I have a vast collection of 80's tunes.

    16 Jun 2010 Reply

  • RMG1

    I've been meaning to check out this band for ages, ever since i found out that Claire aka Christine Kochanski from Red Dwarf had a band. Now that i have i like what i hear so far.

    23 May 2010 Reply

  • aquaticdeath

    If you like Altered Images you might also like Girls at Our Best!

    7 May 2010 Reply

  • CDPETE01

    overlooked by who???

    29 Dec 2009 Reply

  • vargas_girl

    truly great, overlooked 80's band. still sounds fresh today!

    20 Dec 2009 Reply

  • SpaceChief

    ♥♥♥

    28 Nov 2009 Reply
    • All 68 shouts

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