Altered Images
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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.
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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Top Albums
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Pinky Blue
Altered Images
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Altered Images Buy- Download Album
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Destiny (The Hits)
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The Best of Altered Images
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Shoutbox
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Sonicjr01 wrote:
@olivegreen85: Agreed
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Lobotomy77 wrote:
Pinky Blue is such a great album.
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PaintAVulgarMan wrote:
Claires voice in "Don't Talk To Me About Love" is just...wow..
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RussellChap wrote:
I still love Claire Grogan...ever since I saw her in Bill Forsyth’s film Gregory’s Girl
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Akatian wrote:
Don't talk to me abowt luuuv.
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olivegreen85 wrote:
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!)
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showroom-dummy wrote:
it was happy birthday in sixteen candles. love themm.
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bingbongbilly wrote:
Scars, The Cure, Altered Images. Glasgow City Halls. Happy times.
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sopor6 wrote:
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!! :)
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gotrawmilk wrote:
they need more plays! this band is underrated.
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Zondagavond wrote:
Bought Dead Pop Stars 7" today, with a lot of hiss, but still amazing!
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vargas_girl wrote:
@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.
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RMG1 wrote:
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.
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aquaticdeath wrote:
If you like Altered Images you might also like Girls at Our Best!
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CDPETE01 wrote:
overlooked by who???
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vargas_girl wrote:
truly great, overlooked 80's band. still sounds fresh today!
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SpaceChief wrote:
♥♥♥
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sing-sing wrote:
totally love them)
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Rissacakes wrote:
I love Clare's voice. It's so adorable.
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fanntastic wrote:
what a cute band!
Videos
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Events
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Jul
20
Rewind Scotland: The 80's Festival
Scone Palace grounds, Perth, Perthshire, United Kingdom
1 going
- Aug 17 Rewind Festival 2012 at Temple Island Meadows Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom
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Recent Activity
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captain_rooster added Altered Images to captain_rooster’s library. 5 minutes ago
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E-Clect-Eddy added Altered Images to the lineup of Rewind Festival 2012 at Temple Island Meadows at Temple Island Meadows. Friday evening
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Andy30Bonner, English-Tea, pleonasty and 5 other people added Altered Images to their libraries. Tuesday morning
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RussellChap tagged Altered Images with claire grogan is lovely, i love the singer, post-punk and 3 other tags. last month
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babyjanedoe, vladbg, NEWWAVE74 and 1 other person added Altered Images to their libraries. last month
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AmyPhetamine tagged Altered Images with 80s, pop and new wave. last month
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AmyPhetamine, robertprimrose, Donner627 and 2 other people added Altered Images to their libraries. last month
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caledoniankevin added Altered Images to the lineup of Rewind Scotland: The 80's Festival at Scone Palace grounds. last month
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ifordavies, MelodicRocker68, djguvnore and 2 other people added Altered Images to their libraries. last month
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karola_60ludzi tagged Altered Images with synthpop, female vocalists, scottish and 3 other tags. last month
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